Gender Identity

Nonbinary and transgender students are a vibrant and valued part of the VCU community. We are present and contributing across all academic disciplines and throughout campus life while also navigating some significant stressors. The disproportionate rates of mental health problems, bullying and violence, housing or employment discrimination, and income inequality experienced by nonbinary and transgender people, particularly trans women and trans people of color, are well-documented (James et al., 2016).

College students may be arriving at VCU after experiences of bullying and discrimination in school or at home and may not have the same level of social or financial support when we arrive (See Stolzenberg & Hughes, 2017, Goldberg, 2018). Less publicized are daily challenges such as making the constant decisions about outness and visibility, being “the only one in the room," finding trans and nonbinary role models or mentors, and accessing mental health and medical providers who are knowledgeable and affirming. Nonbinary and trans college students often find strength and fulfillment in our journeys toward self-understanding and authentic self-expression. We also find strength in supporting each other and in advocating for ourselves and others.

While nonbinary and trans college students do report higher levels of mental health problems, there is no evidence that nonbinary or trans identity cause mental health problems. Rather, research shows that these problems are reactions to growing up in communities, institutions, and cultures that do not understand or celebrate gender diversity. An affirming therapist can provide a safe space to heal from these experiences. They can also help with exploring gender identity, making decisions about transitions if relevant, building positive relationships to our bodies and more, or to address other mental health concerns without fear that all problems will be pinned on being trans or nonbinary.

Affirming Services at UCS

Are you a trans or nonbinary student at VCU who is interested in mental health services? University Counseling Services strives to be an affirming space and here are some of the ways in which we do that:

• Clinicians who specialize in working with nonbinary and trans individuals are available and can be requested during your Referral and Assessment Meeting (RAM).
• Clinicians will welcome clients who want to explore gender-related concerns and can provide referrals and resources for additional support.
• All staff members, including administrative staff, are Safe Zone trained.
• Paperwork allows for clients to notify staff about their pronoun of use and the name that they use, in addition to legal name (required by law).
• Students who are exploring or preparing for medical transition can request a consultation with a clinician in order to obtain a letter for affirming surgeries or hormone therapy (HT)
• UCS clinicians lead the Rainbow Group, a weekly LGBTQIA+ support group that is available to all VCU students (prior registration required). 

Resources

Within VCU

• VCU Libraries Transgender Health Guide
• VCU Gender Inclusive Bathroom Map
• VCU Queer and Trans Social Workers
• Call Me By My Name
  Students and employees can add name/name of use, gender/gender identity and pronouns to the Banner system
• Transcripts podcast
  VCU professor Dr. Myrl Beam co-hosts this podcast about trans lives that is part of the Tretter Transgender Oral History Project

Online Resources

• The Experiences of Incoming Transgender College Students: New Data on Gender Identity
  Report by the American Association of Colleges & Universities
• Transgender Students in Higher Education
  Report by the Williams Institute
• Know Your Rights as a Transgender College Student
  Resource by Lambda Legal
• Them
  Online magazine covering news, culture, and providing support beyond the binary
• The Gender Spectrum Collection: Stock Photos Beyond the Binary
  Stock photo library for use in websites and presentations featuring images of trans and non-binary models that go beyond the clichés
• Gender Stories
  Podcast by and for nonbinary and trans folks, hosted by nonbinary therapist and educator
• How To Understand Your Gender
  Free online zine by and for nonbinary and trans folks
• #FirstTimeISawMe
  Netflix, in collaboration with GLAAD, brings you stories about the power of authentic transgender media representations from Jamie Clayton, Jazz Jennings, Elliot Fletcher, Laura Jane Grace, Tiq Milan, Meredith Talusan, and GLAAD’s own Nick Adams. While the videos were being filmed, trans painter Rae Senarighi painted a portrait of each person.

Services

• Virginia Transgender Resource and Referral List
  This directory of resources is maintained by the Virginia Dept. of Health and includes information about different regions of Virginia.
• Transgender Assistance Project of Virginia
  Organization by and for trans people that offers safe emergency and temporary transitional housing to homeless/precariously housed transgender adults in Virginia.
• Planned Parenthood of Virginia
  Provides gender-affirming primary care as well as hormone therapy services with an informed consent model (no letters needed).
• Nationz Foundation
• Richmond organization by and for LGBTQ people that facilitates support groups for trans women, trans men, and non-binary folks and also provides emergency housing support, food pantry, HIV testing/safer sex resources and more.
• Health Brigade Transgender Services
  Richmond health center provides a legal clinic to assist all trans and nonbinary people with name and gender marker changes, as well as medical services for those without health insurance.
• Virginia Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit
  An annual conference for nonbinary and trans communities in Richmond.