Trans* and Gender Identity Resources

Transgender Pride Flag; comprised of two blue, two pink, and one white stripe

The Kansas State University Spectrum Center is committed to providing resources, education, and advocacy about sexuality and gender identity topics. Our office affirms our deeply held commitment for making our campus a place where ALL students, faculty, and staff can truly be seen and valued in their entirety as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, or intersex. You are valid and seen. We know there are unique needs and opportunities for support based on your individual and potentially intersecting identities, so please explore the resources on both this page and the LGB Community Resources page.

Please utilize this page to learn more about what is availalbe at K-State, in Kansas, and nationally to support trans* and gender non-conforming individuals. Allies can also learn more about gender identity, expression, and ways in which you can support the community.

Campus Resources Available:

Financial support for students for individual or group therapy at Counseling Services/Family Center
Housing accommodations on campus for trans students
Financial support for voice coaching on campus
Name change support (ID, course roster lists, website, etc)
Lafene Health Center (can fill HRT prescription, does blood work for it)
Ability to report hate incidents or discrimination to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
Scholarships
Student organizations & events for community building

For more on Kansas State University policies and procedures concerning name changes, gender identity change, or other identification processes please click here.

Additional Resources and Organizations:

Legal and Advocacy Organizations

Community Organizations

Crisis Resources

Transgender people in crisis should contact the following resources:

The Trevor Project's 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or TrevorChat, their online instant messaging option, or TrevorText, a text-based support option. If you are looking for peer support, you can visit TrevorSpace from anywhere in the world.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860

Updated Passport Gender Marker Policy

The U.S. State Department has provided clarification on the status of passports issued with the “X” gender marker and how future renewals will be handled.

Key points from the updated guidance:

"X" Gender Marker Passports: Passports with the “X” gender designation, issued to non-binary, intersex, and non-gender conforming individuals, will remain valid until their expiration date. However, no new passports will be issued with this designation moving forward.
New Passport Renewals: Upon renewal, individuals holding a passport with the “X” gender marker will receive a new passport with an “M” or “F” designation that matches their original birth certificate marker.
Transgender Passport Holders: Passport holders with a gender marker that does not match their sex assigned at birth will continue to be allowed to use their current passport until expiration. However, any new passport applications will be issued with a gender marker corresponding to their sex assigned at birth, based on supporting documents and prior records.
Delays and Requests for Additional Information: Applicants requesting a gender marker that differs from their sex assigned at birth on their records may face delays or be asked to provide additional documentation.

This policy follows an executive order and has sparked legal challenges, which could lead to changes in the future. While we may see more updates down the line, this is the latest information available.

For more information: U.S. State Dept. Clarifies New Passport Sex Marker Policy | Business Travel News

Learn More:

What does Transgender* mean?

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Sexual orientation varies and is not dependent on gender identity. A person’s Gender Identity is a person’s sense of self as masculine, feminine, both, or neither - how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth. Gender Expression is how one presents oneself and one’s gender to the world via dress, mannerisms, hairstyle, facial hair etc. This may or may not coincide with or indicate one’s gender identity.

Why the Asterisk (*)?

Trans* can serve as a term that helps to refer to all of the identities within the gender identity/gender non-conforming/gender fluid spectrum. The fluidity of gender inherently means that there will be diverse identities and how an individual identifies within the gender spectrum can be different from person to person. Trans (without the *) is usually best applied to those who identify as trans men and trans women. The * makes note of the effort to attempt to include all non-cisgender identities; transgender, transsexual, transvestite, genderqueer, genderfluid, non-binary, genderless, agender, non-gendered, third gender, two-spirit, bi-gender, trans man, and trans woman just to name a few.

Remember to try and NOT assume someone's gender identity and always treat everyone with the respect that they deserve.

How is Gender Identity different from Sexuality?

Sexuality is seen as the desire for intimate emotional and/or sexual relationships with people of the same gender, another gender, or multiple genders (or the absence of this desire) while Gender Identity is a person’s sense of self as masculine, feminine, both, or neither - how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves.

To put it simply: sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to sexuality or romantically; gender identity is about who you are. Like all people, transgender people have their own sexuality; straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer.

Why is this important?

Transgender people face staggering levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence in the United States and the world. Transgender people, in particular transgender women of color, face extremely high rates of violence, murder, and incarceration. Most states and countries offer no legal protections in housing, employment, health care, and other areas where individuals experience discrimination based on their gender identity or expression.

According to the "2015 U.S. Trans Survey," a report by the National Center for Transgender Equality:

29% of transgender people live in poverty, compared to 14% of the general population
Transgender people experience unemployment at 3x the rate of the general population, with rates for people of color up to 4x the national unemployment rate
30% of transgender people report being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing mistreatment in the workplace due to their gender identity in the past 12 months
31% of transgender people experienced mistreatment in the past year in a place of public accommodation, including 14% who were denied equal service, 24% who were verbally harassed, and 2% who were physically attacked because they were transgender
40% of respondents reported attempting suicide in their lifetime, nearly nine times the attempted suicide rate in the United States (4.6%)

So we as a community must work to bring this issues to the forefront and find ways to more fully support and protect our transgender friends and family.