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Essay / Providing Support for Transgender Students on Campus
As support for the LGBT population pops up across the United States, colleges and universities have responded by creating positive spaces and environments for students. However, in some cases not all populations are adequately served. One population in particular, transgender students, sometimes do not receive the same support as gay, lesbian, and bisexual students. One issue facing LGBT services at DePauw University is providing adequate services to transgender students. Providing educational programs, gender-neutral restrooms, faculty training, and counseling for transgender students could increase support for students who identify as transgender. Research reveals a poor campus climate for transgender students. A significant amount of published information regarding the inclusion of transgender students discusses strategies that colleges and universities can use to improve the campus climate for students. Few studies have been conducted to verify the improvements a campus has made to accommodate transgender students. The literature presented discusses the experiences of transgender students coming out, campus climate, and ways colleges and universities can improve campus climate. Future Experiences Pusch (2005) conducted a qualitative study to examine the coming out and transition experiences of transgender students. -to female (MTF) and female to male (FTM) students. Pusch (2005) collected data over a seven-month period using a mailing list and private emails. Within the mailing list, participants introduced themselves and discussed issues important to them with a follow-up...... middle of article...... BG (2005). Make campuses more inclusive for transgender students. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education, 3(1), 77-87. Beemyn, B., Curtis, B., Davis, M., & Tubbs, N.J. (2005). Transgender issues on college campuses. New directions for student services. 2005(111), 49-60.Dugan, JP, Kusel, ML, Simounet, DM, (2012). Transgender students: An exploratory study of perceptions, engagement, and academic outcomes. Journal of College Student Development, 53(5), 719-736. doi:10.1353/csd.2012.0067McKinney, J. S. (2005). On the margins: A study of the experiences of transgender students. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education. 3(1), 63-75. Pusch, R.S. (2005). Objects of curiosity: Transgender students' perceptions of others' reactions. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education, 3(1), 45-61. doi:10.1300/J367v03n01_06.