Trans* @ WashU - Students

The university community offers a variety of resources helpful to trans*, nonbinary and gender questioning students.

These include student groups such as Transcending Gender, a safe space for students discuss and find support for their gender identity or expression, and Safe Zones, a peer education student group that discusses issues around sexual orientation and gender identity. Students also plan programs and events, such as Trans* Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Here are more resources for trans*, nonbinary and gender questioning students, faculty and staff at Washington University.

Student Support & Programming

Transcending Gender (TG) is a student-run group that offers a safe space for individuals who wish to discuss and find support for their gender identity or expression. TG is open to individuals who identify as trans*, gender nonconforming, nonbinary or who are questioning their gender identity. TG also seeks to aid other student groups in the efforts to educate the campus about trans* experiences and issues. Please contact for more information.

Safe Zones is a peer education student group that discusses issues around sexual orientation and gender identity in order to foster a more open and accepting university community. If you have any other questions, email Safe Zones or visit here.

Trans* Awareness Week is a week of programming organized by Pride Alliance in collaboration with other student groups and departments. The week is full of educational and entertaining events addressing gender identity and expression, including a trans* allyship training by Safe Zones, a keynote and a vigil for Trans* Day of Remembrance.

Pride Alliance is a multi-focus LGBTQIA* organization that is open to all Washington University students regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. Pride Alliance will provide a supporting and stimulating environment, which students can grow from, contribute to and build upon. Pride Alliance holds a general body meeting every two weeks during the school year. Email Pride Alliance for more information.

For fraternity and sorority members, please see Jessica Pettitt’s Fraternity and Sorority Transgender Resource Guide.

Preferred Name Policy

The Preferred Name policy at Washington University in St. Louis lets students at the Danforth Campus change their names in most university information systems without pursuing a legal name change.

Students: You may add a preferred first name to your academic record in WebSTAC, under the “Profile” tab. Your preferred name will be used on most university documents, systems and communications. This includes but is not limited to your Campus ID card, class rosters, grade reports, housing rosters, diplomas (optional), Email Address (optional) and Email Display Name. Visit Preferred Name Policy Student Information for more information on changing documents and records.

Faculty and Staff: You may find helpful information about supporting students with preferred names at Preferred Name Policy Tips for Faculty and Staff.
Visit Gender Pronouns to learn more about using appropriate pronouns to refer to others.

Gender Inclusive Housing

Safe and comfortable housing options are important for students regardless of their gender identity, gender expression or sex assigned at birth. To help provide better accommodations to all students including trans* and LGBTQIA* students, Residential Life offers a housing option where assignments are not based on gender. Gender Inclusive assignments are available in all rounds of the Housing Selection Process.

Gender-Inclusive Restrooms

See a campus map of gender-inclusive restrooms (PDF) and a list of the Danforth Campus gender-inclusive restrooms.

Health, Wellness and Counseling

Washington University students have the option to enroll in the student health insurance plan with United Healthcare. All full-time degree-seeking students in the day school with the WashU student plan have access to counselors in the Habif Health and Wellness Center. The staff at Habif Center are passionate about working with students and receive Safe Zones training each year. Learn how to schedule a counseling visit.

For specifics about what the student healthcare plan includes, please visit the Habif Student Health Insurance Plan page for more information or inquire with United Healthcare at 1-866-346-4826.

For information about community resources, please visit the Metro Trans Umbrella Group’s website.

Off-Campus Resources

Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG): by Trans for Trans – bringing together the community of trans, genderqueer, androgynous, intersex & our allies in the St. Louis metro area through community, visibility, advocacy and education. For more information, visit our website.

QTPOC:STL: Are you someone who self identifies as a person of color (POC) and LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual)? Are you looking for a space to connect and build community? Come to these meetings to discuss what we need as a community! For event details, find us on Facebook by searching QTPOC: STL or contact us! (This is a support group through MTUG.)

Expression Spectrum is a group that has been created for people who identify as nonbinary, genderqueer, gender fluid, androgynous, etc. This is a place where we can share our experiences, ask questions and find support. Visit our Facebook group or email for more information. (This is a support group through MTUG.)

FemSpec: trans-feminine support group ages 18+. Anyone who identifies on the feminine end of the gender expression/identity spectrum is welcome! We meet every Wednesday evening. Contact FemSpec for specific information about meeting times and locations. (This is a support group through MTUG.)

Locker Room: trans-masculine support group ages 18+. Anyone who identifies on the masculine end of the gender expression/identity spectrum is welcome! Meeting details can be found at our Facebook group or email us. (This is a support group through MTUG.)

Growing American Youth: support groups for queer/LGBTQIA youth up to 21 years of age. Meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in St. Charles and Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Central West End. For more information, visit our website.

Gender Youth Group: extension of Growing America Youth that focuses on Transgender issues of youth up to age 21. Meets the first Wednesday of the month.

Transgender Spectrum Conference is an interdisciplinary event dedicated to educating participants about a wide range of transgender issues. It includes workshops for adults, youth, families and allies, and features strands in health and aging, youth and families, policy and politics, and teaching and learning. For more information, visit the website.

Books and Online Resources

Books

Almost Perfec t
As Nature Made Him
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children
Excluded
Finding Masculinity
Gender Is Extraordinary, by Alex Barnawell
Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation
Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us
The Girl For Me
I am J
Luna
Just Add Hormones
Middlesex
My Gender Workbook
Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity
Not Your Mother’s Meatloaf
Parrotfish
Redefining Realness
Refuse
Social Justice Advocate’s Handbook: A Guide to Gender
Stone Butch Blues
The GENDER Book
Trans* Ally Workbook: Getting Pronouns Right & What It Teaches Us About Gender
Trans Bodies, Trans Selves
Transgender History
Transgender 101
Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity

Blogposts, Articles, Websites

This page was created by Christine Dolan & Jordan Victorian, summer 2015.

Student Support & Programming

Preferred Name Policy

Gender Inclusive Housing

Gender-Inclusive Restrooms

Health, Wellness and Counseling

Off-Campus Resources

Books and Online Resources

Books

Blogposts, Articles, Websites

General Resources & Coming Out

Nonbinary

Trans-Feminine

Trans-Masculine

Intersex

Allyship