Walailak University’s Commitment to Non-discrimination Against Transgender Individuals

30Sep 2026 by Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship

In higher education, policies that promote equality and protect transgender individuals are essential for creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment. Universities bring together people from diverse backgrounds and identities, making it important to establish diagnostic processes to identify potential inequalities, assess barriers to inclusion, and ensure that all students and staff can participate in academic and university life without fear of discrimination, harassment, exclusion, or prejudice. Without clear policies, diagnostic assessments, and supportive measures, transgender individuals may experience stigma, unequal treatment, social isolation, and barriers to participation, which can negatively affect their sense of belonging, well-being, academic engagement, and professional development. Therefore, higher education institutions have an important responsibility to establish policies and practices that protect transgender individuals’ rights, promote equal opportunities, and use diagnostic assessments to identify areas for improvement, monitor progress, and foster a culture in which diversity and individual identities are respected.

Walailak University (WU) reaffirmed its dedication to promoting inclusivity, equality, and respect for all genders and sexual orientations through its Policy on Gender Equality, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment. This policy highlights WU’s commitment to preventing discrimination and harassment against all members of the university community, including transgender and other transgender individuals.

The policy provides a comprehensive framework for promoting inclusivity and preventing discrimination against women and transgender individuals. The policy emphasizes equal access to education, employment, and opportunities for personal and professional development, while promoting a campus environment based on respect, understanding, and inclusion. It also calls for training and awareness-raising activities to challenge gender stereotypes and biases and establishes measures to protect members of the university community from harassment, bullying, and discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. WU also encourages collaboration with non-governmental organizations, government agencies, private sector organizations, and community groups to advance gender equality and promote the rights and inclusion of transgender individuals both within the University and in the wider community.

In 2025, LGBT students accounted for approximately 12.5% of the student population at Walailak University, while LGBT staff represented approximately 2.23% of the university’s workforce. These figures reflect the presence of transgender members across the university community and highlight the importance of maintaining an inclusive educational and working environment where individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations can participate equally.

Miss Transgender Nakhon Si Thammarat

Walailak University continued to promote opportunities for LGBT students to participate in activities that celebrate gender diversity, self-expression, and inclusion. In 2025, the University supported LGBT students in participating in the Miss Transgender Nakhon Si Thammarat University Competition, providing them with an opportunity to engage in a wider community activity that celebrates transgender individuals and promotes greater recognition of gender diversity in higher education and society.

Beyond the competition itself, participation in such activities provides students with opportunities to build confidence, develop communication and interpersonal skills, and express their identities in a supportive environment. By encouraging students to participate in public and community activities, Walailak University contributes to a more inclusive campus culture in which students of diverse gender identities can participate fully in university life and have their identities and contributions recognized.

LGBT WU Freshy Awards

The University also continued to organize activities that recognize and celebrate the LGBT community. In 2025, Walailak University organized the LGBT WU Freshy Awards, providing a platform for LGBT students to express their identities, showcase their talents, and participate actively in university life. The activity contributed to increasing the visibility and recognition of LGBT students while fostering an inclusive university environment in which students of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations can participate equally and have their identities and contributions respected.

Through participation in the activity, students were able to engage with peers, develop confidence in expressing themselves, and demonstrate their abilities in a supportive university setting. Such activities also provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to interact and build a greater sense of belonging within the university community. By creating spaces where diversity can be openly expressed and celebrated, Walailak University continues to promote an environment that values equality, respect, and meaningful participation for all students.

LGBT Marriage Registration

In addition, Walailak University continued to support initiatives that promote gender equality beyond the university campus. In 2025, the University collaborated with the Tha Sala District Office to organize “The Infinity of Love: Marriage Registration – Rak Loy Fah” at Bota Sky Tower. The activity provided couples with an opportunity to register their marriages in a memorable setting and reflected the University’s support for gender equality following Thailand’s legalization of marriage equality.

Beyond facilitating marriage registration, the initiative provided an opportunity for the University and local authorities to promote awareness of equal rights and recognition for couples of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. It also strengthened collaboration between the University and the local community in advancing an inclusive society where individuals can form families and live together with equal legal recognition, dignity, and respect. Through its participation in community-based initiatives, Walailak University demonstrates that its commitment to gender equality extends beyond the campus and contributes to broader efforts to promote equality and social inclusion.

WU’s Gender Dress Code

Since 2017, Walailak University has maintained a policy allowing LGBT members of its community to wear student uniforms, graduation gowns, and other official attire according to their gender identities. This policy remained active in 2025 and demonstrates the University’s continued commitment to social justice, equality, and respect for individual identity.

By enabling individuals to dress in alignment with their gender identities, Walailak University fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment. This approach helps reduce stigma and discrimination against LGBT students and staff while supporting their sense of belonging and enabling them to participate confidently in academic and university activities.

Gender-inclusive Restrooms

Walailak University continued to provide gender-inclusive restrooms across the campus in 2025 to support the well-being of LGBT students, staff, and visitors. These facilities aim to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where members of the university community can feel comfortable and secure.

The continued availability of gender-inclusive restrooms, together with the University’s gender-inclusive dress code, demonstrates WU’s ongoing commitment to creating an environment that respects diverse gender identities and promotes equal participation in university life.

Through its policies, facilities, student activities, and community engagement, Walailak University continues to promote an inclusive campus culture in which LGBT students and staff are respected, supported, and provided with opportunities to participate equally. These efforts contribute to advancing gender equality, reducing discrimination, and fostering a university environment where diversity is recognized as an important part of the academic community.

Taken together, Walailak University’s policies, facilities, student activities, and community initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach to promoting gender equality and inclusion. From establishing protections against discrimination and harassment to providing gender-inclusive facilities and opportunities for LGBT students to participate in university and community activities, WU seeks to ensure that diversity is respected across different aspects of university life. These efforts support an environment where students and staff can express their identities, access opportunities, and participate in the university community with dignity and respect. To strengthen these initiatives, the University can use appropriate measures and indicators to assess the effectiveness of its policies, monitor progress in promoting inclusion, and identify areas requiring further improvement.

Walailak University recognizes that advancing gender equality requires more than formal policies. It also requires creating an environment in which equality is reflected in everyday experiences, institutional practices, and relationships within the wider community. By continuing to strengthen inclusive policies, provide supportive environments, and engage with the community, WU remains committed to reducing discrimination, promoting equal participation, and fostering a culture of respect for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Through ongoing measurement of progress, evaluation of inclusive practices, and assessment of the university community’s experiences, WU can identify opportunities to improve its initiatives and reinforce its commitment to gender equality. These ongoing efforts contribute to a more inclusive higher education environment and support broader progress toward gender equality and social inclusion.