• Terminology 101
• The Gender Unicorn | English | Español (Spanish) | Source: Trans Student Educational Resources, 2015. “The Gender Unicorn.”
• Gender Unicorn Coloring Book (English)
• Two Spirit Resource Guide

Academic Programs

• Women's & Gender Studies Program

Annual Course Offers

• WGS 203: Intro to Lesbian Studies
• HDFS 276: Human Sexuality

On-Campus Trainings

• Learn@ISU
• LinkedIn Learning (search for LGBT)

For On-Campus Consultations Related to LGBTQIA+ Initiatives

• Office of Diversity & Inclusion | Gender & Sexual Diversity Initiatives
• Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success
   

Off-Campus Training Opportunities

• One Iowa LGBTQ Inclusivity Trainings & Consultations
• Iowa Safe Schools Trainings

• Iowa Queer College Conference | Iowa
• Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Queer Asexual College Conference (MBLGTACC) | Midwest
• National Conference on LGBTQIA+ Equity: Creating Change | National
• Midwest Queer and Trans Black Indigenous and People of Color Conference | Midwest
• Kenyon Queer and Trans Studies Conference | Ohio
• Philadelphia Trans Health Conference | National
• Minnesota OUT! Campus Conference | Minnesota

Learn About Pronouns

• Pronoun Guide
• What are pronouns?
• Why do pronouns matter?
• How do I use pronouns?
• What if I make mistakes?
• Sharing your pronouns
• Asking about pronouns
• Resources

Practice Using Pronouns

• Minus18 Pronouns Practice Game
• Pronoun Practice Activity

Pronouns on Campus

• The Pronoun Project (Gender & Sexuality Diversity Initiatives | Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion)

Engage Globally

• International Pronouns Day (#PronounsDay)

More information forthcoming!

On-Campus Resources

• Are you or someone you know in crisis?
• Student Counseling Services
  • Learn more and schedule an appointment with a counselor
  • TAO (Therapy Assistance Online)
  • Biofeedback | Mind-Body
  • Mind-Body Spa | Tools to calm the mind and the body

Where can I go to talk to a counselor?

The staff at Student Counseling Services (SCS) are committed to being an affirming place for trans and gender non-conforming students. They know that trans people face many challenges and barriers in society, and the transitioning process can be a time of excitement, difficulty, and stress. Many of their counselors have experience providing support and counseling to trans and transitioning students. Their services are confidential and free for all Iowa State students.
 

Can I get letters for starting hormones and other kinds of medical transition from SCS?

SCS counselors have provided letters to begin medical transition many times. Their counselors are familiar with the WPATH Standards of Care guidelines on this process. Student clients work with their counselor over a period of time to provide information that allows the counselor to write a letter reflecting their professional assessment as well as the client’s goals. This process will be a little different for everyone, as it is something the student client and the counselor work on together.
 

Is counseling at SCS confidential?

Yes. SCS professionals are bound to confidentially by state and federal law and professional codes of ethics. They do not share any information with others (e.g. university offices, parents, family members) without your written permission. Extremely rare exceptions include if there is imminent risk of harm to self or others or court orders for information.
 

How do I get started at SCS?

Come on in to Student Counseling Service during walk-in hours (see website for details: http://www.counseling.iastate.edu/). Please save 90 minutes for the entire process. Go to the reception desk located on the third floor of the Student Services building and tell the receptionist you would like a first appointment. You will be asked to give your legal name, birthdate, ISU student ID number, email address, and phone number and then you will be asked to complete some electronic paperwork that will include a broad range of questions about your experiences and concerns. On the electronic paperwork, you are welcome to mention your trans identity and/or transitioning needs or concerns in the “presenting concerns” comment box. The paperwork usually takes about 15 minutes.

Then a counselor will meet with you to discuss your needs and concerns. Together, you will create a plan for which services will be best for you. If individual counseling at SCS is recommended, a counselor will be assigned to you for ongoing counseling.
 

How can I communicate my gender identity, my pronouns, and/or my name (other than a legal name) to SCS staff?

If you feel comfortable doing so, you are welcome to note the pronouns you use and a preferred first name either in the first section of the electronic paperwork and/or when you meet with a counselor.

There is also a question on the electronic paperwork which asks you to choose your gender from a dropdown menu from which you can select woman, man, transgender, or self-identify.  You may write in an answer next to the self-identify option if you choose. 

All information you share on SCS paperwork is confidential.
 

What if I have concerns about telling my legal name to the SCS front desk staff or having my legal name called in the waiting room?

You do not need to say your legal name out loud to front desk staff, you may present them with your student ID and they will get you started with the paperwork process.

Although you will need to include your legal name when filling out the electronic paperwork, there is a spot for students to type in their preferred name and pronouns. The counselor meeting with you will use the preferred name you have entered when calling for you in the waiting room. 

Are there any options for trans-affirming mental health care outside of the university?

If you would prefer to see a counselor in the local community rather than at Student Counseling Services, we still recommend that you start with an initial appointment with SCS. Their staff is the most knowledgeable about therapists in the area, and they will be able to help refer you.

To learn more about mental health providers in the local area, please see SCS’s Tips for Scheduling an Appointment with a Community Provider and the Community Therapy Referral Guide.

Are health care services related to medical transition, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or gender confirmation surgeries, covered under Iowa State’s Student and Scholar Insurance Plan (SSHIP)?

Coverage for health care services related to medical transition have been expanded under SSHIP, but students will need to consult with Wellmark to determine what is covered and to what extent. Coverage may change depending on in-network and out-of-network providers, specific prescriptions, etc. See the Health Coverage Manual for more information on coverage (esp. pages 30 and 69-70).

To find out more information about what is covered under your plan, please call Wellmark customer service at 1-800-694-4110.  Please make sure to have your Wellmark ID available at the time of the call.

If you have any challenges in this process, please contact the SSHIP office. Center staff would also be happy to consult about these matters.

How can I determine what is covered if I am considering SSHIP but not enrolled?

To learn more about SHIPP before you enroll, see the SSHIP website. If you have questions about the plan, call the ISU SSHIP customer service number at Wellmark at 1-800-694-4110. Please indicate that you are currently a student at ISU and are considering electing the ISU SSHIP plan for coverage.  This will let the customer service associate know which plan to reference to best assist with any questions.

How can I determine what is covered and what is not once I am enrolled in SSHIP?

To find out more information about what is covered under your plan, please call Wellmark customer service at 1-800-694-4110.  Please make sure to have your Wellmark ID available at the time of the call. 
 

Can I sign up for SSHIP outside of the open enrollment period?

No, unless you have a qualifying event. Please refer to the SSHIP website for a list of qualifying events.

Who can I contact if I have questions about SSHIP?

For all questions or concerns related to the Iowa State Student and Scholar Insurance Plan, contact: http://sship.hr.iastate.edu/contact-us.

More information forthcoming!

• Queer * Graduate Student Association
• College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Spectrum
• Other LGBTQIA+ Student Organizations

• Queer * Graduate Student Association Bi-Weekly Virtual Coffee Meetings

Do I have to come out to my professors as trans or gender non-conforming?

No. Students are never required to come out to professors (or anyone else). However, you may want to inform your professors, particularly if you want them to refer to you by your name and pronouns in class. See below for tips on how to come out to professors.

If you want to talk about coming out to professors or others, you can contact Center staff for assistance.
 

What are some tips for coming out to my professors as trans or gender non-conforming?

If you want to come out to your professors, you can do it in whatever way makes you most comfortable, be it in-person at their office hours, in an email, etc.

Many students find emailing a professor the week before classes start to be a preferable way to come out. If you are going to email your professor, here are some tips for how to do that.

Tips and Sample Email to a Professor or TA:
 

• List the course name and what section (days and time) you are in (i.e. ASHME 321, 2:30-3:20 MWF). Professors often teach many classes at once, so this will help them identify which class roster you are talking about.
   
• State your legal name.
   
• State your preferred name.
   
• State the pronouns you would like them to call you by in class. (“I would appreciate it if you called me by she, her, and hers pronouns in class” or “The pronouns I use are they, them, and theirs, and this is how I would like you to refer to me in class.”)
   
• Clarify if there are any situations when you do not want to be called by your preferred name and pronouns. (“I would like to be called [preferred name] and referred to with he, him, and his pronouns in class, but please refer to me by [legal name] and she, her, and hers pronouns outside of class because I am not out as trans everywhere.”)
   
• Provide them with your contact information.
   
• Provide links to resources on the Center website if they have questions about supporting trans students. (This is a nice thing for you to do, but certainly not required.)
   
• Thank them for being understanding.

Sample Email to a Professor:
 

Dear Professor [last name of professor]

My name is [your preferred name], and I will be attending your [name of course] class on [days] at [time] this semester. I am contacting you to let you know that my name will show up on your roster as [legal name], but I would prefer to go by [preferred name]. I am transgender and do not identify with my legal name. I will be putting [preferred name] on my assignments and would appreciate it if you called me by this name and use the pronouns [the pronouns you use] to refer to me in class.

If you have questions about this change to your roster, you can ask me directly at my email address here: [your email address]. For more information about preferred names, pronouns, and transgender identities, you can visit the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success website or contact their staff.

Thank you very much for your understanding. I’m looking forward to starting your class next week.

Sincerely,

[Preferred name]

• Life Hack: Going Home for Break Video
• HRC Coming Out Guide [English]
• HRC Coming Out Guide [Spanish]
• The Trevor Project "Coming Out as You!"