Trans and gender diversity

Find your community. Access resources and support. Be an Ally.

Trans, non-binary and gender-diverse students may experience a range of environments on campus, in their departments, the libraries, the labs or in residence – from welcoming to uninformed to unreceptive environments. On this page you will find resources specifically for trans and gender diverse students, connections to communities that support gender diversity, and how to be ally on campus. Your active and visible support can make a difference.

Navigate the campus: Find support and assistance

Change your personal information

Change, update your legal or preferred name

UBC recognizes that many members of its community use names other than their legal name. A preferred or chosen name is a name that you commonly use that is different from your legal first name.

For more information please see the Change your personal information page.

Change your sex designation your UBC records

You can now change your sex designation on your student records.

The UBC student information system has only two sex designation options available, “M” or “F”. Contact your advisor to request a change to your sex designation.

Living in residence? Student Housing and Community Services (SHHS) keeps separate records from your Enrollment Services Advisor, so you will need to update your record with SHHS for:

  • Change or update of your sex designation (M or F) while living in UBC residence 
  • Change or update your preferred name in Residence.

If you are applying to or currently living in residence and have questions or concerns in regards to your living situation, contact the Manager at Residence Admissions and Assignments within UBC Student Housing and Community Services.

Find accessible, gender-inclusive washrooms

This map provides a list of accessible, public access, single-stall, gender-inclusive washrooms at UBC's Vancouver campus. If you require access to a single-stall, gender-inclusive washroom and are unable to do so, contact the Equity & Inclusion Office at info@equity.ubc.ca.

Discrimination and Harassment

UBC is committed to creating and fostering a learning environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment.

Services are available to assist you if you experience discrimination or harassment. Learn more about how to respond if you experience discrimination or harassment.

Access resources

As a trans or gender diverse student you may have to navigate a variety of concerns that impact your student experience that may include coming out to classmates, reconciling your gender identity, gender expression, stress in and out of the classroom. UBC provides students with opportunities and resources to help you learn about and explore your sexuality and gender identity.

Having difficulty? Consider accessing the confidential counselling services for UBC students.

The following resources are available for you to access. You may also consider accessing trans specific health services in the Vancouver area.

For 24 hour assistance

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9.1.1.

Campus Security: 604.822.2222
Crisis Centre BC: 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433)

Learn about your rights at UBC

The University of British Columbia has responsibility for and is committed to providing its students, staff and faculty with an environment dedicated to excellence, equity and mutual respect. UBC Policy 3: Discrimination and Harassment fundamental objectives are to prevent discrimination and harassment on grounds protected by the B.C. Human Rights Code, and to provide procedures for handling complaints, remedying situations, and imposing discipline when such Discrimination or Harassment does occur.

Policy 3: Discrimination and Harassment

The University of British Columbia has responsibility for and is committed to providing its students, staff and faculty with an environment dedicated to excellence, equity and mutual respect. This policy was put in place to prevent Discrimination and Harassment on grounds protected by the B.C. Human Rights Code, and to provide procedures for handling complaints, remedying situations, and imposing discipline when such Discrimination or Harassment does occur.

UBC’s Respectful Environment Statement for Students, Staff and Faculty

This statement outlines the expectations of everyone at UBC to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds these principles in all communications and interactions with fellow UBC community members and the public in all University-related settings.

Meet people and have fun

The Pride Collective at UBC

For the 2016/17 academic year the UBC Pride Collective is hosting the Trans & Gender Identities (TaGI) every Thursday at 12:30 – 1:30 pm at the Pride Lounge (NEST 2103) which provides a supportive group exclusively for trans and gender non-conforming people.

Make a positive change

Trans, non-binary and gender-diverse students may experience a range of environments on campus, in their departments, the libraries, the labs or in residence – from welcoming to uninformed to unreceptive environments. Your active and visible support can make a difference. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to take part in the following programs that help assist our campus in being a welcoming, respectful working, learning and living environment for all. 

Be A Gender Diversity Ally

Your active and visible support can make a difference in a range of university environments. An ally for the Trans and gender diverse communities takes action. Allies work towards recognizing their own biases and privileges, offer support to individuals or groups who for example may have been teased, policed in washrooms, treated disrespectfully in or outside of the classroom, bullied, and/or discriminated against based on the gender identity and or their gender expression.

Make a commitment to:

  • Assume that your friends, classmates, colleagues and professors aren’t straight.
  • Speak up and address homophobic innuendo, comments and jokes. Let your friends, colleagues and classmates know that you find those kinds of comments hurtful and offensive. 
  • Be visible in your support. Ask which pronoun a person would prefer.
  • Be mindful of people’s safety. Don’t out someone.
  • Reflect upon your own assumptions about sexuality stereotypes, intersections of race, class and other intersecting identities of LGBTTQIA+ students, staff and faculty. 
  • Treat people with dignity and respect regardless of their sexuality, sexual identities or attractions.
  • Use gender inclusive terms, say ‘Hi everyone’ instead of ‘Hi ladies.’ 
  • Respectfully ask if you don't know what pronouns to use. 
  • Respect the diversity of LGBTTQIA+ lives. These identities are part of other intersecting identities, for example, with their race, class, and/or religion. 
  • Participate in Positive Space. Be an active Ally. 

The Positive Space Campaign

The Positive Space Campaign aims to make UBC more receptive to and welcoming of its LGBTTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual) student, staff, faculty and alumni communities on campus. Join the Positive Space community and get involved.

Be An Equity Ambassador

The Equity Ambassadors are a diverse group of students, who promote awareness of social justice issues that empower and educate student to engage diversity, respect and inclusion everywhere at UBC.

Equity Ambassadors are student leaders interested in personal, collaborative, and community engaged learning to gain greater self-knowledge and leadership competence towards sparking positive social and environmental change. Learn more.

UBC OutWeek

OutWeek is an annual celebration of all things queer during the second week of February. The week-long celebration is marked by a host of interactive workshops, and social  events. OutWeek is made visible with rainbow flags across campus. Check out the Pride Collective at UBC for information.

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