Ibrahim Gardner
In recent years, colleges and universities have been working to make transgender students feel comfortable living on campus. Many institutions have established processes for transgender students to make specific roommate requests, while others offer gender-neutral halls where students of any gender can live together. Some universities have also introduced transgender-specific housing communities, such as Lavender House at Virginia Tech, which aim to build a supportive and inclusive community for transgender and nonbinary students. These communities are often located in specific residence halls or apartments, and students may be required to complete a supplemental application to be considered for placement. While transgender housing is gaining popularity and demand, it is still not widely available, and some universities may face challenges in seeking to open these spaces due to a lack of educational programming or staff with expertise in LGBTQ+ issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Housing options | Trans-inclusive housing, gender-neutral housing, gender-inclusive housing, all-gender housing, LGBTQ+ living and learning communities |
| Roommates | Students may room together regardless of gender, and can request a roommate of any gender identity |
| Application process | Students must complete a supplemental application to be considered for trans-inclusive housing |
| Support | Housing liaisons are available to assist transgender and nonbinary students with finding the right housing option |
| Legal protections | Title IX prohibits educational institutions that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity |
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What You'll Learn
Trans-inclusive housing communities
At the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), for example, Trans-Inclusive Housing communities are located in the Merrill College residence halls for first-year students and the Redwood Grove apartments for continuing and new transfer students. Students who wish to be considered for this housing must complete a supplemental application. Students may room together regardless of gender, and all students share common areas such as bathrooms.
Other universities, such as Ithaca College in New York, offer gender-neutral housing, allowing students to live with roommates of any gender. Some institutions are entirely gender-neutral, giving students the option to request a roommate of any gender, regardless of their location on campus.
In addition to roommate considerations, trans-inclusive housing communities may also address other concerns such as access to gender-affirming bathrooms and room type preferences. For example, American University (AU) created a Gender-Based Housing Considerations Process, allowing students to express their gender identity-based considerations on a separate form.
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Roommate requests
Many universities have established processes for transgender students to make specific roommate requests. For example, Oregon State University allows students to make their gender identity private via their housing application. This removes them from the pool of potential roommates but still allows them to search for roommates and initiate requests. Students who choose their own roommates can search based on criteria including gender identity.
Some universities offer gender-neutral halls, where students of any gender may live together, and some institutions are entirely gender-neutral, allowing students to request a roommate of any gender regardless of where they live on campus. For example, Ithaca College in New York has offered gender-neutral housing for years, and transgender students can contact Residential Life to meet any additional needs.
Other universities have gender-inclusive housing options, where students can choose a roommate of any gender or gender expression. For example, the University of Michigan's Gender Inclusive Living Experience has gender-inclusive bathrooms and is close to gender-specific bathrooms.
However, some universities have been criticised for their housing policies regarding transgender students. For example, a transgender man at Northwestern University was placed in a 'dingle' (a double room without roommates or suitemates) because the room was designated as Gender Open but the university failed to advertise it as such. Similarly, a transgender woman at DePaul University was informed by the housing department that she would have to move to a room with a female roommate, despite still being of male sex.
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Gender-neutral halls
In gender-neutral halls, students of any gender can live together, regardless of their assigned sex at birth or legal gender designation. This means that transgender and non-binary students can room with roommates of any gender, creating a more comfortable and affirming living space. For example, Boston University offers gender-neutral housing options where students can choose from a variety of bed spaces, room sizes, types, and price ranges. Similarly, Ithaca College has long been considered a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ students, offering gender-neutral housing where students can live with roommates of any gender.
Some universities, such as the University of California, Santa Cruz, have established Trans-Inclusive Housing communities in specific residence halls and apartments. These communities are open to transgender, non-binary, and gender-questioning students, as well as their allies. Students in these communities share common areas, such as bathrooms, and are often required to complete a supplemental application or room selection process to be considered for placement.
To ensure the comfort and safety of transgender students, some institutions may face challenges in providing adequate staff training and educational programming. For instance, residential life staff overseeing transgender or LGBTQ+ living spaces should be well-versed in LGBTQ+ issues to create a truly inclusive environment. Additionally, there may be a need to offer queer studies courses to complement the residential experience.
Overall, gender-neutral halls play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive campus community for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse students. By offering these housing options, universities demonstrate their commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity.
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LGBTQ+ living and learning communities
Many colleges and universities are creating more housing options aimed at transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ students. These living-learning communities (LLCs) are intended to ensure the comfort and safety of these students and build a community.
LGBTQ+ living-learning communities have grown from the roots laid by college resource centres, which became more common on campuses in the 1990s. These communities help students access resources and social justice opportunities, and boost retention rates and GPAs.
- Dartmouth's Triangle House, which offers a safe space to live and learn. Students must complete an extra course on LGBTQ+ topics, a one-year service project, or organize a program that promotes social change.
- George Mason's Piedmont Hall, where applicants must describe their self-care practice, why they want to join an LGBTQ+-focused community, and how they plan to contribute to their residence.
- KSU's LGBTQ+ living-learning community, which accepts any undergraduate interested in social justice issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. Students have exclusive access to gender and sexuality courses, lectures, and research opportunities.
- SDSU's Pride House, which offers academic and leadership opportunities to LGBTQ+ students, including mentorships with upperclassmen.
- Virginia Tech's Lavender House, where students take an introductory queer studies course.
- RWU's LGBTQ+ living-learning community, which was formed in partnership with the Queer and Trans Resource and Advocacy Center. It provides direct access to faculty and a network of LGBTQ+ students.
- UC San Diego's LGBTQIA+ LLC Program, which is housed in the Tuolumne Apartments and Tioga Residence Hall. The program offers a dynamic range of activities and programs for residents to participate in.
Trans-Inclusive Housing
Trans-inclusive housing communities are intended to create safer and more supportive living spaces for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse students, as well as their allies, and students questioning their gender identity. Students may room together regardless of gender, although rooms are typically located on mixed-gender floors/apartments with shared common areas.
Some universities that offer trans-inclusive housing include:
- Ithaca College
- Virginia Tech
- UC Santa Cruz: Located in the Merrill College residence halls (first-year students) and the Redwood Grove apartments (continuing and new transfer students).
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Title IX and student rights
The Biden-Harris administration released new rules for enforcing Title IX, expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students. These rules made it clear that the general provisions of Title IX prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex also protect transgender and nonbinary youth from harassment and discrimination in education. However, these rules were struck down by a federal judge in Kentucky, who found that they overstepped the president's authority and violated free speech rights. The judge's decision reverted to a previous interpretation of Title IX, which did not explicitly address transgender student rights in housing or other school contexts.
Despite the reversal of the expanded protections, transgender and nonbinary students still have some legal protections under Title IX. The Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that it is impossible to discriminate against a person because of their sexual orientation or gender identity without also discriminating against them based on sex. This interpretation of Title IX provides a legal basis for protecting transgender and nonbinary students from discrimination and harassment in schools, including housing contexts.
While there have been efforts to push back against discrimination, transgender and nonbinary youth continue to face challenges in accessing safe and inclusive housing in universities. The campaign of exclusion against transgender youth has focused on their participation in athletic programs and gym classes, with attempts to exclude them from these activities consistent with their gender. Despite the separate rule-making process for athletics, there is still a lack of explicit protections to ensure transgender students have access to safe and appropriate housing consistent with their gender.
Overall, while Title IX provides some protections for transgender and nonbinary students in university housing, there are still ambiguities and legal challenges that impact the implementation of inclusive policies. It is important for universities to interpret and apply Title IX in a manner that ensures the safety and inclusion of transgender and nonbinary students, addressing any gaps or ambiguities in the current regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Trans-inclusive housing communities are intended to create safer and more supportive living spaces for all students, including those who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or different gender identities, and their allies, as well as students questioning their gender identity. Students may room together regardless of gender and will likely share common areas such as bathrooms.
You have the right to be placed in campus housing according to your gender identity as long as your college or university is subject to Title IX and hasn't specifically exempted itself from this requirement. You are also protected under state or local nondiscrimination laws.
You will need to complete and submit a supplemental application. Staff will then review your application and notify you of your status. If you receive an offer, you have the opportunity to accept or decline the placement. If you accept, you will be placed in trans-inclusive housing.
If your application is not selected or if you decline an offer, staff will work with you to find the most inclusive housing option available outside of the trans-inclusive housing communities. You may also be placed on a waitlist for trans-inclusive housing. Additionally, some universities offer gender-neutral housing, allowing students to live with roommates of any gender.
