Transitioning and College

[LittleEmily24]

So i just started hormones, and because of other issues i probably wont be going to school until winter term this year. I am currently in the process of maybe transferring schools and I also dress in female clothes full time (not extravagant, but girl jeans and girl shirts as well as makeup, and i carry a purse around with me, the only thing im missing is the bra which i dont wear full time simply because im usually at work during the week and work is the only place i dont wear a bra), now; im gonna be going to a one-on-one with a school counselor to talk about the courses and degree programs and about transferring ~ I have no idea how to go about this whole thing what with having started hormone transition and more than likely not looking the same way and not even having the same name in 7-8 months. Should I tell the dean of the school? should i tell the counselor? Mind you, I'm completely out to everyone in my life (other than my landlord), so its not really an issue of not having the nerves to do it, but more just not knowing how to actually handle the situation in the right way.

any advice?

[EllieM]

Unless you are going to a church-supported college, I don't see any problem for you letting your academic councellor know that your name will probably be changing before graduation, and the reason for it. Post-secondary institutions in general have equity policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation (among other things). Faculty and staff at these institutions are by and large a lot more accepting of peoples' differences than in the general population.

Something to help: google your intended college about trans health. Eg: michigan state university trans health
You will probably see a lot of rather comforting policies and services enumerated.

Actually, it may be of some benefit for your councellor to know that you are trans. What are you planning to study?

[LittleEmily24]

Unless you are going to a church-supported college, I don't see any problem for you letting your academic councellor know that your name will probably be changing before graduation, and the reason for it. Post-secondary institutions in general have equity policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation (among other things). Faculty and staff at these institutions are by and large a lot more accepting of peoples' differences than in the general population.

Something to help: google your intended college about trans health. Eg: michigan state university trans health
You will probably see a lot of rather comforting policies and services enumerated.

Actually, it may be of some benefit for your councellor to know that you are trans. What are you planning to study?

I plan to study Music Business Production and possibly Performance ~ its an Art Institute (or rather THE Art Institute, they call it AI)

[EllieM]

Well, then gender is absolutely not an issue. You should let the councellor know that you are intending to change your name legally. (That's really just a bookkeeping issue) The councellor may ask why, you could say something like "I'm in transition". The only concern I see here is that they get the name right on your transcripts and your diploma. Keep calm and carry on, Emily. I see no barriers for you.

[CathyAnderson]

Hi Emily,

First I'd see what resources the college may have for this kind of thing.  If your college has a student LGBT group, you could check with them first.  Then check the college counseling center to see if they have suggestions.  Remember -- you're certainly not the first or only student there dealing with gender issues.

At many colleges, the Dean of Students office is eager to help students with such needs.  You might see if they have a program/office for 'gender equity' on campus (that usually means helping remove barriers for genetic females, but such programs are usually also sympathetic to the concerns of transexuals).

Cathy