LGBTQ at Ohio State

Trans at Ohio State

Transgender communities have pioneered the fight for LGBTQ+ rights since the days of Stonewall and before. For individuals who are questioning their gender identity, exploring gender expression, or expressing their most authentic self, finding community is vitally important. The Ohio State University strives to support students, staff, and faculty of all genders by providing resources including trans-inclusive student housing, health care and insurance coverage, legal support, training, and more.

Trans@OSU

The following resources are available for transgender and gender non-conforming students, faculty and staff at The Ohio State University.

Gender-Inclusive Accommodations

Preferred Name Policy

Students and employees have the ability to set a preferred name on my.osu.edu. For more information and steps to set a preferred name, visit our page on Preferred Name and Name Change Policies at Ohio State

Preferred Name on BuckID

Once you set a preferred name online, you can request a new BuckID with your preferred name on it free of cost. Note: Your legal name will still appear on diplomas, transcripts, enrollment verifications, and degree verifications. For more information about this process, please see BuckID Frequently Asked Questions.

Faculty and Staff

If you are an employee of the University (excluding student employees), you can set your preferred name on Workday. For steps on how to do so, visit admin.resources.osu.edu/workday/workday-for-employees/personal-information-change

Legal Name and Gender Marker Changes

For steps to change your name in the State of Ohio, click here.

Transgender Health

  • The Student Life Student Health Insurance (SHI) Benefit Plan covers many services for transition-related care, including counseling, hormone therapy, and certain surgical procedures. Open the document “Trans Health Care Services with Student Health Insurance” on this page to learn more.

  • If you would like to speak to a SHI staff member who specializes in information to support students seeking transgender services, please contact SHI at 614-688-7979 or shi_info@osu.edu. Specify your needs and your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

  • Wexner Medical Center operates a Transgender Primary Care Clinic at two locations.

  • Learn more about gender-affirming care options at Wexner Medical Center.

Find additional LGBTQ+ health and wellness resources here. 

Trans Mental Health with Counseling and Consultation Services

Involvement Opportunities

  • Trans*Mission, a student organization for trans, non-binary, nonconforming, and questioning students and allies.

  • Center for Belonging and Social Change

  • Trans Awareness and Empowerment Week – takes place annually during the third week of November. Join the Student Life Multicultural Center for a week of events that honor, empower, and support those who are transgender and/or non-binary here at The Ohio State University!

  • Transgender Day of Visibility – takes place annually on March 31.

Find additional student and alumni involvement opportunities here.

Other Resources

External Resources

Financial

Ohio Name Change Microgrant

The Ohio Name Change Microgrant is a fund created in partnership with Equitas and TransOhio to raise money for people seeking to change their name to fit their gender identity. To qualify, you must identify as transgender and/or non-binary, be a citizen of the United States, attend a name change legal clinic through Equitas, and adhere to set policies and procedures. You can apply now! Email your completed application to scholarships@transohio.org for consideration.

Financial Support

MoneyGeek created a guide on Financing & Support for Gender Confirmation Surgery. The guide covers topics such as medical transition options, average costs, health insurance coverage, financial support options, resources, and more.

Check out this list of Financial Support services available to trans folks.

Finding LGBTQ-Affirming Care

Health Insurance Guides

Questioning?

Here are some helpful resources if you are questioning your gender identity:

Coming Out

Coming out, especially as trans, can be scary, but it can also be exciting and liberating! The below resources may be helpful:

Know Your Rights

National Center for Transgender Equality: offers trans-specific Know Your Rights resources related to: airport security, employment, health care, housing, immigration, Medicare, military records, passports, public accommodations, restroom access, schools, social security, and survivors of violence.

Lambda Legal: provides many guides on the rights of LGBTQ folks and those living with HIV, including:

  • Transgender Rights Toolkit: This toolkit is meant to be a resource and advocacy tool designed to educate and empower a community often left outside the walls of power.

  • Transgender College Students: This fact sheet is intended to inform transgender students of their rights on campus and to show what advocates are doing to help make colleges and universities more affirming of, and welcoming to, transgender students

Faith

  • Transfaith: A national nonprofit that is led by transgender people and focused on issues of faith and spirituality.

  • Transgender Faith and Action Network: An organization that offers for trans people of faith and allies to vision, build, grow, heal and shift culture within faith communities and the world.