Transgender and Non-binary Student
Support and Services
Intramurals
All students can participate in intramural sports with the gender with which they identify. A participant may consult with the intramural sports office at intramurals@sc.edu with any questions about roster eligibility based on one’s gender identity
Homecoming
Activities during Homecoming are gender inclusive. All students can participate in gender-specific competitions as the gender they identify as.
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Decisions about gender inclusivity are up to each fraternity and sorority. If you are interested in being involved, research different the organizations for their view on gender identity.
Changing Your Health Record
We want to make sure you are identified correctly when you come in for a visit.
Changing Your Name or Pronoun on Your Medical Records
You can change your name and pronouns in the profile section of MyHealthSpace or by calling 803-777-8283.
Non-Medical University Records
As a default, we use the information provided by the University Registrar for your name and gender. Changing your name and pronoun with us will only affect your medical records. We keep separate records from the rest of the university system, so the change won't affect your other university records."
Student Insurance Coverage
Your student insurance will cover some services for transgender students:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Therapy Sessions
- Medical Appointments
- Medications
To get full coverage for these services, see a provider who will provide records stating
you are diagnosed with gender identity disorder and that your treatment is medically
necessary. The student health insurance policy does not cover gender affirmation surgery of any
kind.
Gynecological Services
The Student Health Center will work with you to make sure your visit for gynecological care is as comfortable as possible. If you need to ask a question or discuss accommodations, you can email the nursing staff via the MyHealthSpace portal or call the head nurse at 803-777-3840.
While the University of South Carolina does not currently offer gender-neutral housing, campus housing assignments are based on your gender identity. Many times, trans and nonbinary students have the option to live in a single or double occupancy rooms.
Additionally, University Housing offers roommate matching assistance that individuals can cater to their needs. As part of our commitment to an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected, you may contact Joe Fortune directly via email at jfortune@email.sc.edu to discuss your specific needs. Otherwise, we can help you navigate the university housing system and serve as an advocate for your needs. We strive to make UofSC a welcoming home for all to live and learn
UofSC experiences interpersonal violence including sexual assault, harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence. Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP) is trained to support victims/survivors of all sexes, genders, and sexual orientations. Find out how to connect with SAVIP at Stop Sexual Assault
Individual Counseling
Counseling & Psychiatry has trans-aware mental health providers.
Students are allowed ten free sessions a year and additional sessions at cost.
T-Time
T-Time is a support group designed for students who identify as trans, gender fluid or gender nonconforming to discuss the unique experience that may not be readily understood or supported by others. This group aims to create a space where students can feel comfortable being their true selves and talk about the issues they face on a daily basis in school, sex, relationships, family, health settings and other facets of life and transition. The group will have a supportive intent and participants may learn additional coping skills related to living in a biased society.
Students may attend as many group counseling sessions as they like throughout the year at no cost.
Queer in Quarantine
When campus closed unexpectedly in March 2020, UofSC students were told to go home, but what happens when home is not safe? For many of our queer students, going home has meant effectively going back into the closet. Whether you’ve returned to a homophobic family/community, lost access to gender-affirming medical treatment, or are struggling to stay connected to your queer community, this group is a space where you can process these experiences with humans who understand.
Check out the Counseling and Psychiatry Website for More Information
Blackboard
1. Click the name on the left sidebar to go to your profile.
2. Under "Basic Information" click the current name displayed (not other name/nickname
under Additional Information)
3. Edit the first name field and click done.
4. Your chosen name will appear as soon as you hit done.
Garnet Gate
1. Log in to your account
2. Click the green circl with the letter in it at the top right corner of the page.
3. Click "account"
4. Change the first name and/or last name under profile
5. Click "update"
MyHealthSpace
Changing Your Name or Pronoun on Your Medical Records
You can change your name and pronouns in the profile section of MyHealthSpace or by calling 803-777-8283.
Changing Legal Documents and School Records
You will need to complete a legal name change in accordance with the state of South Carolina name change process. If you have had a legal name change, you can access the name change form at the University Registrar.
If you need guidance on how to pursue a legal name change, contact OMSA or check out Gender Bender's resource as a guide.
Gender is a protected identity on campus, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion takes any bias or hate incidents very seriously.
Contact us if you feel you have been discriminated against or have experienced bias. We will help you report it and rectify the situation in whatever way is appropriate.
You have options when it comes to letting your professors know your name and pronoun:
- Talk to them one-on-one
- Send an email
- Have us notify them
You should do what's best for you at this time in your life. We're available to help you talk through what to say or review your email if you'd like.
We can notify your professors for you.
Fill out the notification request form. You'll need the names and email addresses for the faculty members you'd like to notify. Currently, this request is only available for students at the UofSC Columbia campus.
We will send an email to the addresses you give us. It will contain no identifying
information and will list best practices the professor can follow in order to make
your experience in class more positive.
Sample Notification Letter [pdf]
Single-stall and all-gender restrooms are available across campus including at the Russell House Student Union, Patterson Hall, Thompson Health Center and Strom Wellness and Fitness Center.
We are actively advocating for additional restroom access to meet the needs of all students.
| Building | Campus | Type | Keywords (hidden column) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 Catawba Street, 1st floor | South Campus | all gender | |
| 1710 College Street (Institutional Research), 1st Floor | East Campus | single stall (W) | |
| 1710 College Street (Institutional Research), 2nd Floor | East Campus | all gender | |
| 1710 College Street (Institutional Research), Basement | East Campus | all gender | |
| 1714 College Street (Rule of Law Center), 1st Floor | East Campus | all gender | |
| Arnold School of Public Health, 3rd Floor | Assembly St. | all gender | |
| Bates House, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Bates House, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Bates West, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Bates West, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Blatt PE Center, 2nd Floor | South Campus | all gender | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 1st Floor | Central Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 2nd Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 2nd Floor | Central Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 2nd Floor | Central Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 3rd Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, 3rd Floor | Central Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, Ground Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, Ground Floor | Central Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Callcott Social Science Center, Ground Floor | Central Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Capstone House, Lobby | East Campus | all gender | |
| Center for Health and Wellbeing, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Center for Health and Wellbeing, 2nd Floor | Central Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Center for Health and Wellbeing, 2nd Floor | Central Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Coker Life Sciences Building, 1st Floor | West Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Columbia Hall, 1st Floor | East Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Columbia Hall, 1st Floor | East Campus | single stall (W) | |
| CS Lewis Student Center, 1st Floor | East Campus | all gender | |
| Currell College, 1st Floor | Horseshoe | single stall (M) | |
| Currell College, 2nd Floor | Horseshoe | single stall (W) | |
| Davis College, 1st Floor | Horseshoe | all gender | |
| East Quadrangle, 2nd Floor | South Campus | single stall (M) | |
| East Quadrangle, 2nd Floor | South Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Earth and Water Sciences, 7th Floor | West Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Earth and Water Sciences, 6th Floor | West Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Earth and Water Sciences, 5th Floor | West Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Flinn Hall | Horseshoe | all gender | |
| Former Law Center, 1st Floor | West Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Former Law Center, 1st Floor | West Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Green Quadrangle A, 2nd Floor | South Campus | all gender | |
| Green Quadrangle C, 1st Floor | South Campus | all gender | |
| Honors Residence Hall, 1st Floor | West Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Honors Residence Hall, 1st Floor | West Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Humanities Classroom Building, 1st Floor | East Campus | all gender | |
| Humanities Office Building, Basement | East Campus | all gender | |
| John M Palms Center for Graduate Science Research, 1st Floor | West Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Maxcy College, 1st Floor | Horseshoe | all gender | |
| McBryde Quadrangle A, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| McBryde Quadrangle B, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| McBryde Quadrangle C, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| McBryde Quadrangle F, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| McBryde Quadrangle G, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| McClintock, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| McKissick, 1st Floor | Horseshoe | all gender | |
| Patterson Hall, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Pinckney/Legare, 1st Floor | Horseshoe | all gender | |
| Preston Residential College, 1st Floor | Horseshoe | all gender | |
| Roost Residence Hall, 1st Floor | South Campus | all gender | |
| Roost Residence Hall, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Roost Residence Hall, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Russell House, Starbucks | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Russell House, West Wing | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Sims, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Sims, 1st Floor | Central Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Sims, 1st Floor | Central Campus | single stall (W) | |
| South Quadrangle, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (M) | |
| South Quadrangle, 1st Floor | South Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Spigner House, 2nd Floor | East Campus | all gender | |
| Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center, Ground Floor | Assembly St. | all gender | |
| Thomson Building, 1st Floor | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Thomson Building, Ground Floor | Central Campus | single stall (M) | |
| Thomson Building, Ground Floor | Central Campus | single stall (W) | |
| Wade Hampton, Basement | Central Campus | all gender | |
| Williams-Brice Building, 2nd Floor | East Campus | all gender |
The Trans Advocacy Workshop is designed to further examine issues of sexual identity and gender expression. This workshop narrowly focuses on transgender identities, issues, and experiences. All interested participants in the Trans Advocacy Workshop are required to complete the LGBT Safe Zone Workshop before registering for the session. Trans Advocacy workshops are open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Upcoming Workshop:
Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 4:25 p.m. EST