The University of Nebraska- Lincoln is promoting greater equality, and it is provoking discussion about the available resources for transgender individuals both on college and in the area. Mental and physical heath are some of these sources.
As issues arise for transgender individuals, the focus shifts to what friendly initiatives and policies are in place for the school to demonstrate its commitment to the diverse student body. Specifically for transgender students, the emphasis is on sex- affirming source availability.
The Gender and Sexuality Center, which is located on the second floors of the Nebraska Union, has a Trans Guide that lists all on- and off-campus tools offered to trans individuals.
Through coaching and emotional service or the University Health Center, UNL recognizes both the mental and physical health of its students on campus in a variety of ways. There are numerous sites on campus where transgender students can find help, whether it is through GSC-affiliated organizations or medical services. But, UNL may provide more sources to transgender individuals.
How the UNL Gender and Sexuality Center assists transgender individuals in their emotional health
According to Pat Tetreault, the founding chairman of the GSC, the centre looks at names, provides scholarships and activists to make the system more loving and diverse. Tetreault claimed that over time, students ‘ needs have changed and that many of the changes the GSC has made have been made in accordance with the needs they have been informed of.
Tetreault collaborates with different campus organizations to find out what the needs of students are. Having information is also good because it teaches students how to argue for the best practices when it comes to sex and gender issues that students have on school, Tetreault says.
” If we want to help produce a healthier, more equitable school that is benefit- based on knowledge and management, doing this work may help make it more of a reality”, Tetreault said.
In addition to including sexual orientation and gender identity in the non-discrimination plan, there have also been changes that have been made.
” I believe what we do as well is consider the requirements of the software. We’re doing a lot of things to ( change ) the center, and that’s how we do a lot of our support as well”, Tetreault said.
The Lavender Closet, fellowships, and a welcoming group of students and staff are among the tools provided by the GSC.
The Lavender Closet is a component of the GSC that gives students access to identity-affirming garments in a secret and free manner. All that’s needed is a true NCard.
At the GSC, students may also volunteers. Seminars are used by the facility to provide information on sexual health and adjectives. Additionally, Tetreault said the organization has a library with educational supplies about topics like gender equity and the LGBTQA+ group, which they say are a way to try to provide students with referrals and resource information. Every additional Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Nebraska Union place 346, there are also community treatment days. They now play Disney films, provide painting books, and set up a gathering place for people to stand out.
” We always try to do everything with the intention of recognizing intersectionality and the needs of the population,” Tetreault said.
A list of LGBTQA+ companies is also provided on the GSC’s site to promote them. RSOs provide an equitable environment for individuals of all physical positions, gender identities, and expressions to help them better understand the LGBTQA+ area at UNL and for their own professional growth and development, according to the site.
According to Spectrum UNL President Payton Schaefer, a junior scenic design major, “it would be a broad spectrum of people who you’re seeing succeed… both mentally and physically.”
The LGBTQA+ social organization Spectrum UNL is a registered student organization on campus that organizes weekly social events to allow members to network and socialize with other students in the group. Following these social hours, they hold formal meetings every week that feature various discussions and presentations on a specific issue facing the LGBTQA+ community, such as surviving at home, how to drag, and gender.
Transgender UNL students have access to physical and medical resources.
Physical health resources at the University Health Center are limited for transgender students on campus. While psychological services are available, there is nothing specific for transgender individuals, such as a medical specialist. Transgender students are able to pick up their hormone prescriptions from the pharmacy, though.
The Daily Nebraskan repeatedly went to the University Health Center to try to speak with a gender-affirming care specialist, but was unable to speak with anyone at the facility. The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha has a referral to Dr. Jean Amoura, who specializes in general obstetrics &, gynecology, and gender care.
According to the trans guide posted on the health center website, Dr. Amoura is the only gender-affirming care provider that is available at the facility. He primarily practices in Omaha. She provides hormone therapy and transgender care. The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Dr. Amoura is currently unavailable as a provider because she has a full schedule with patients, the DN learned via a phone call with a receptionist. There is no one on campus at the university as of February 28, 2024, who can provide students with the gender-affirming healthcare they need.
” I think having this specialist is a good sort of first step”, Harvey Wiersma, a junior English and women and gender studies major, said. Because it is only a few hours per month that the specialist is available, and that is not going to be enough time for them to see everyone, I believe it would be more beneficial if it were more widely available. If not for a dedicated healthcare specialist on campus who specializes in matters relating to transgender healthcare, I believe we would benefit from having them here more frequently.
According to the Transgender Care page on UNL’s website, Dr. Amoura only visits UNL on the second Wednesday of each month from 2 to 4: 30 p. m. by appointment only. Students are charged for each visit to the Transgender Care Clinic because appointments are not billed by the student body.
” I’ve spoken with a few friends who have gone and at the very least spoken with this person. They’ve said that it’s like a helpful baseline to start up, but I do n’t have personal experience with that”, Wiersma said.
Except for Planned Parenthood, which offers services in surgery referrals, education, resources and general support groups via walk- ins or appointments, The DN discovered there are hardly any clinics that provide individuals with gender- affirming care in Lincoln.
” It’s a little bit of a helpless feeling”, Schaefer said. Being unable to find it where you are is kind of like saying,” They do n’t want me to succeed here,” which is emotionally taxing.
The GSC was the most readily available resource The DN was able to find, despite the university providing some resources to transgender students.
Schaefer is in favor of the transgender students who can access the gender-affirming resources offered by GSC. He claimed that the university is located at a location where it has the necessary resources as an institution, such as STI testing and a name-change clinic.
” I think resources could be a lot more readily available”, Schaefer said. ” We’re at a good place now, we need to be at a great place”.
Reach out to Pride Health Clinic in Omaha if you are looking for gender-affirming care.
Some resources that prioritize transgender and queer safety are the National LGBTQIA + Health Education Center, CenterLink LGBT Community Center Member Directory, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, Please PrEP Me, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Out2Enroll, One Medical, Planned Parenthood and The Trevor Project.
According to Wiersma, being a transgender person in America is “very frightening right now.” ” So at the very least, knowing that the university has an option that does n’t look like it’s going to be going away anytime soon, even if it’s not the most helpful, ( is ) at least the beacon ( that ) the university cares to the point where I’m going to be, for the most part, safe on campus”.
