The president of Texas A&M, R. Bowen Loftin, has for the first time ever included sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression into the university’s non-discrimination memo for employees. 

Officials say members of the university community have responded well to the inclusion of LGBT people in a non-discrimination policy, especially because Texas is a state lacking in protections for its LGBT employees, so you can still be legally fired for being gay. 

Camden Breeding, president of the GLBT Aggies, said he is glad the memo was issued because it protects University employees. … Breeding said the memo is in the best interest of the University and is a strong component of a GLBT-friendly University, but said there is still a long way to go, yet.

“This statement is an important step toward achieving Vision 2020 and being a nationally competitive University,” Breeding said. “Of course, the reality is that change is slow and it will take continued, deliberate effort to enact a shift in attitudes at A&M that welcomes GLBT people. So while this is an important step, we need people to continue to get involved and help advocate for the GLBT community in this critical moment.”

This is fantastic. It’s always inspiring to see support come up in unlikely places.