Working to Increase Trans Visibility at UM

This November, the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies is honoring our transgender, gender non-binary, and gender nonconforming students and community members with a campus-wide Trans Awareness Month. November 12 through 19 is Trans Awareness Week, which ends with Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring trans individuals whose lives have been lost, on November 20. "Transgender Awareness Week is a time for transgender people and their allies to take action and bring attention to the community by educating the public and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that transgender people face," says GLAAD. During Trans Awareness Week, we will be profiling trans students, alumni, and other community members, who showcase our diverse campus life.

For more on Trans Awareness Week, check out https://www.glaad.org/transweek.

Resources:

OUTGrads at the University of Mississippi - OUTGrads promote and foster community and institutional representation for University of Mississippi’s LGBTQIA+ identified graduate and professional students and their allies.

UM Pride Network - The undergraduate student organization that provides advocacy and education for individuals in the University and Oxford communities. Pride works to promote acceptance and respect for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

The UM Counseling Center has a counseling group for trans students—TRANS*formations: Transformations is a therapy group at the University of Mississippi Counseling Center for students self-identifying as transgender, gender-variant, non-cisgender or for those who may be struggling with their sexual/gender identity or expression. This can be an opportunity to discuss issues related to coming out, transphobia, beginning or continuing a process of transformation (passing, dysphoria, hormonal treatment, seeking official name/gender change, etc), and peer/romantic relationship issues. In addition, this can be a space to discuss more general issues, such as depression, anxiety, or self-esteem, within a safe, supportive, and confidential environment.