Trans at Ohio State
Transgender and gender non-conforming 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 Care
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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.
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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.
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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
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True Selves: A Gender Spectrum Group is offered by CCS.
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Mental Health Community Provider Database – search for private mental health care providers in the communities surrounding The Ohio State University campuses. Searches can be filtered by gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and more.
Involvement Opportunities
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Trans*Mission: a student organization for trans, non-binary, nonconforming, and questioning students and allies.
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Trans Awareness and Empowerment Week – takes place annually during the third week of November. Join the Center for Belonging and Social Change for a week of events that honor, empower, and support those who are transgender and/or non-binary here at The Ohio State University!
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Transgender Day of Visibility – takes place annually on March 31.
Find additional student and alumni involvement opportunities here.
Other Internal 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 from Trans Health Consulting.
Finding Trans-Affirming Care
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Find Trans-Friendly Health Care Providers in the US with the Trans Health Project.
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MyTransHealth is a free online directory that connects trans and gender non-conforming people with qualified, culturally competent healthcare providers, including mental healthcare providers.
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Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality offers Transgender Health Resources.
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Find an LGBTQ+ Competent Healthcare Provider in the US and access additional resources with Outcare.
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Mental Health Community Provider Database – search for private mental health care providers in the communities surrounding The Ohio State University campuses. Searches can be filtered by gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and more.
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Stonewall Columbus offers a Transgender Therapy Group.
Health Insurance Guides
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Getting Your Health Care Covered: A Guide for Transgender People from the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).
- Know Your Rights in Health Care from NCTE.
- The Trans Health Project aims to ensure that all transgender and non-binary people can access the trans-related health care that they need.
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:
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Transitioning in the Workplace – A Guide for Trans Employees
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:
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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.
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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.
ACLU and GLSEN: partnered to create Know Your Rights: A Guide for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students.
Trans Action Kits for Students
- Trans Action Kit: Resources that center trans, including non-binary, students and educators. This resource guide, created by GLSEN, shares personal experiences and can help students and educators learn about gender diversity, pronoun visibility, trans students' rights, and inclusive curriculum.
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Bending the Mold: An Action Kit for Transgender Students. This kit, created by Lambda Legal and the National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC), is designed to help trans students and allies make their school a safer place.
Faith
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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.