The University of Alabama removed explicit LGBTQ language from two UA policies in November 2025, but university officials say the change did not alter how the policies are enforced.
The university removed “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression” from the list of specifically identified protected classes in its Harassment Policy and Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy, according to documents reviewed by The Crimson White.
Alex House, a spokesperson for the university, said the policies were updated to “reflect the current language of relevant federal laws,” including Title VII and Title IX.
House characterized the revision as an administrative change and said UA would continue enforcing the policies as it had before the language was removed.
“The University will continue to promote a welcoming environment that is free from discrimination for all members of our campus community,” House said.
The previous policies had explicitly identified sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression among the categories protected from discrimination and harassment. Archived university materials show that some form of the language had appeared in the harassment policy since at least 2018.
The wording has not been removed from every university document or webpage.
UA’s current graduate catalog continues to state that the university prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The university’s Title IX website also lists discrimination based on those categories as prohibited conduct and says LGBTQ students and employees remain protected from discrimination and harassment.
Other Alabama universities, including Auburn University, Samford University, the University of South Alabama and the University of West Alabama, continue to explicitly identify sexual orientation or gender identity in at least some of their nondiscrimination or harassment policies, according to The Crimson White.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
