The University of Kentucky has just stripped away a vital lifeline for transgender and non-binary students. In response to House Bill 4—Kentucky’s newly enacted law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at public universities—UK will no longer offer gender-inclusive housing, remove preferred pronouns from student records, and defund identity-based student organizations and events.

These changes aren't just bureaucratic—they're deeply personal. For years, gender-inclusive housing provided a safe, affirming option for students who often face hostility, isolation, or even danger in traditional housing settings. That option is now gone. Transgender and non-binary students no longer have the right to request roommates who share or respect their gender identity. This isn't neutrality—it’s abandonment.

University officials say they’re complying with the law. But nowhere in House Bill 4 does it require the university to erase basic dignity. UK could have chosen to interpret the law with compassion. Instead, they’ve gone beyond what's required—banning pronoun use in records and pulling out of events like the Lexington Pride Festival. In doing so, the university has sent a message loud and clear: inclusion is no longer welcome here.

We refuse to let that message stand. Trans and non-binary students deserve safe housing. They deserve visibility. They deserve community. And above all, they deserve to be treated as full members of campus life—not as political pawns in a broader culture war.

We call on University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto and the Board of Trustees to immediately reverse the decision to eliminate gender-inclusive housing and restore institutional support for identity-based student organizations and records. Even under legal constraints, UK has the power to lead with courage. It must choose inclusion—not fear.

Sign this petition if you believe in protecting every student’s right to feel safe, seen, and supported on campus.