The Global Education Office allegedly changed its website's language from "LGBTQIA" to "LGB" and provided less information regarding transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other diverse identities on Wednesday.
These terminology changes align with President Donald Trump's Jan. 20 executive order stating, "It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female."
"The language change by this unit was not approved by the university," a University spokesperson said in an email. "The original language is being restored."
Recently, the website's language was changed back. According to ASU brand inclusion guidelines, websites should rely on the Associated Press style, which uses "LGBTQ+" not "LGB."
The sudden change sparked backlash from student organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine at ASU. SJP made an Instagram post condemning ASU for removing the term trans from this website.
"ASU continues to comply with Trump's fascist government. Our students continue to suffer," the post stated.
Hayden Nguyen, a sophomore studying management and public policy, is one of the co-chairs for SJP.
Nguyen said the change sends a message that ASU does not acknowledge the existence of students who do not identify within the term LGB.
"As a university, there's only one priority: it's education," Nguyen said. "Education means serving the needs of students to have the best education ... before the interest of corporations and certainly before the interest of Donald Trump."
The website update marks the second occasion of ASU departments changing LGBTQ+ resources for support and visibility on platforms since March.
Over a month ago, ASU changed resources for the LGBTQ+ community on multiple websites, redirecting the links to a page for the Rainbow Coalition, a student-led coalition that advocates for an inclusive and affirming academic and campus environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
READ MORE: ASU changes LGBTQ+ resources on University webpages
This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by Senna James, Abigail Beck, Alexis Heichman and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at nrodri74@asu.edu.
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Natalia is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in creative writing. This is her second semester at The State Press.
