Resources for Transgender and Non-Binary Students

Everyone is protected from discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity in education and employment under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, respectively. The ACLU maintains a Know Your Rights page for LGBTQ individuals which covers protections in a variety of situations, linked below.

– Know Your Rights | LGBTQ Rights | ACLU

The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations
The Regulations protect individuals from discrimination based on actual or perceived gender identity or expression. A sample of these rights is listed below.

• The right to non-discrimination in educational, housing, and employment opportunities.
• The right to non-discriminatory campus services and a non-hostile work/study environment.
• The right to designate yourself as female or male on an application form as it corresponds to your legal sex or to your gender identity or expression.
• The right to not have to provide documentation or other proof of your gender identity or expression except when everyone must provide it for a reasonable business or medical purpose.
• The right to use multi-user restrooms and other gender-specific facilities consistent with your gender identity or expression or single-user restrooms designated as gender neutral.
• The right to equally access student housing corresponding to your gender identity or expression.
• The right to request and receive accommodations as necessary to stop or reasonably prevent unlawful hostilities or harassment.
• The right to ask for and be respectfully called by your preferred name, form of address, and gender-related pronoun.
• The right to not be asked hostile, personal questions about your body, gender identity or expression, or gender transition.

View the full text of the compliance rules and regulations regarding gender identity or expression in the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Chapter 8, Title IV.

Georgetown University Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Education Statement

Georgetown University provides educational opportunities without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, age, color, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, personal appearance, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran’s status or any other factor prohibited by law in its educational programs and activities. 

– Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action

If members of the campus community are aware of gender-neutral or all-gender bathroom on campus that is not on this map, they are welcome and encouraged to email the exact location of the bathroom, current signage, and a picture to workmanagement@georgetown.edu so that it can be added to the map.

Chosen Name Policy
While on campus, students, faculty, and staff may elect to use a chosen name other than their legal name. The legal name will still be used for official transcripts, diploma(s), financial aid documents, payroll, and other instances where a legal name is required by law or University policy. Chosen names will automatically populate into campus systems such as Canvas, Zoom, and GoCards.

Keeping Your Legal Name Private
If a student does not wish GU to share the student’s legal first name with external organizations, they  have the option of requesting FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) directory exclusion, which revokes the University’s right to share directory information with any outside source.

Students who wish to exclude any release of student information, under the FERPA exclusion guidelines, may request so by submitting a disclosure of student information form, found here, to the University Registrar’s Office.

It is important to know that requesting FERPA exclusion means that you will not be listed in the directory and the University cannot confirm your student status (e.g., for the purposes of credit card and insurance verifications, etc.). For more information, please contact the Georgetown University Registrar’s Office.

Please be advised that student addresses are linked to the student’s legal name. That means any notices sent to the student’s home address, including tuition and other payments due to the university, will bear the legal name.

Note on Diplomas: Upon graduation, student records may be changed under limited circumstances. If after graduation a student obtains a legal change, the University Registrar will honor a name change request and reissue the diploma. The student must return the initial diploma. Students should contact the campus Registrar’s Office for appropriate steps.

Changing Your Name on MyAccess
Students may request use of their chosen first name in lieu of their legal first name via MyAccess through the following steps:

1. Login to MyAccess 
2. Click on the “Students” tab
3. Click “Personal Information”
4. Under “Personal Details”, click the “Edit” button in the top right corner.
5. Enter the chosen name in the “Chosen Name” field and press “Update”.
   

Changing Your Name in GMS
Students, faculty, and staff employed on campus may request use of their chosen first name in lieu of their legal first name in GMS through the following steps:

1. Login to GMS
2. Click “Menu” in the top left corner
3. Click “Personal Information”
4. Find and press “Preferred Name” under “Change”
5. Enter your chosen name in the appropriate fields and press “Submit”.
   

Adding your pronouns to Zoom

Adding your pronouns to Canvas

Adding Your Pronouns & Gender in GMS
Students, faculty, and staff employed on campus may change their gender marker or add pronouns any time in GMS through the following steps:

1. Login to GMS
2. Click “Menu” in the top left corner
3. Click “Personal Information”
4. Find and press “Personal Information” under “Change”
5. Self-select your gender marker under the “Gender” field, and/or pronouns under the “Pronouns” field, and press “Submit”.
   

Georgetown University Mental Health Resources

CAPS Trans and Non-Binary Support Group

This group is a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like gender identity and expression, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, and community/university concerns unique to trans non-binary folks. It is also a place to gain support, giver support, and generally share in community with other folks.

The group meets in-person at CAPS in Darnall Hall weekly on Thursday from 1-2pm. It is facilitated by Dr. Helen Rathburn, Psy.D. (she/they).

If you’re interested in joining, please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathburn (she/they) at hdr12@georgetown.edu.

The Office of Residential Living is committed to finding housing for transgender and non-binary students on a case-by-case basis. Students have the right to be placed in housing that aligns with their gender identity. The LGBTQ Resource Center can serve as a liaison between queer students and the Office of Residential Living to provide further support. We invite students to reach out to the Center at lgbtq@georgetown.edu. Students can also reach out to Residential Living directly at residentialliving@georgetown.edu.

Bias Reporting

Any member of the university community can make a report about a possible bias-related incident or hate crime

• through the Bias Reporting System, or
• by reporting a hate crime to the Georgetown University Police Department at (202) 687-4343 or the Georgetown Law Campus Police Department at (202) 662-9325

The Bias Reporting Team includes trained professionals from across Georgetown, including the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access, LGBTQ Resource Center, Women’s Center, Office of Residential Living, Office of Mission & Ministry, the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, & Affirmative Action (IDEAA), the Office of Equity & Inclusion (Georgetown Law), and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (School of Medicine).

Please Note: You should not use this form to report a sexual assault. Any report of a sexual assault through this system will be shared with the Title IX Coordinator. The confidential resources on campus for reporting sexual assault are Health Education Services and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).

Discrimination Complaints

The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) reviews, investigates, and resolves alleged violations of the University’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Employment and Non-Discrimination in Education Policies, Affirmative Action Policy, the Policy Statement on Harassment, the Policy on Sexual Misconduct, and the Policy on Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination in violation of one of these policies, or are aware of discrimination occurring in a Georgetown University program or activity, you may choose to file a complaint with IDEAA. To review the University’s Grievance Procedure or file a discrimination complaint with IDEAA, please refer to the Grievance Procedures (new window) and the Discrimination Complaint Form (new window). Additional information about IDEAA’s complaint investigation and administrative review processes is available in IDEAA’s Frequently Asked Questions (new window) document.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational programs, which includes sexual harassment or any acts of sexual misconduct. Title IX requires the University, upon becoming aware of any incident of sexual harassment and misconduct to respond appropriately to protect and maintain the safety of the University community, including students, faculty, and staff. 

Georgetown University prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. 

Discrimination based on sex, including sexual misconduct and discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status, subverts the University’s mission and threatens permanent damage to the educational experience, careers, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. 

This site is designed to be a resource for students, faculty, and staff on issues relating to sexual misconduct, discrimination based on sex, and discrimination based on pregnancy, including options for getting immediate help; the University’s policies against sexual misconduct; how to report sexual misconduct; the University’s Sexual Misconduct Reference Guide; and campus initiatives. 

Gender Affirming Healthcare
Whitman Walker
DC Health – Transgender Wellness Guide (includes list of individual doctors and surgeons in DC providing gender-affirming care)

HIV & STI Testing
Whitman Walker – Sexual Health Center

The DC Center for the LGBT Community – Individual and Group Trauma-informed Mental Health Support

The DC Center for the LGBT Community – LGBTQ+ Friendly Therapists List

Whitman Walker – Individual Therapy

Whitman Walker – Group Therapy

Whitman Walker – Youth Mental Health

Whitman Walker – Peer Support Groups

The DC Center for the LGBT Community – Support and Discussion Groups

The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community – Binder Donation Project

DC Area Transmasculine Society – Binder Exchange

Refuge Website and App- National gender-neutral bathroom database

Georgetown University requires most students, according to registration criteria, to have health insurance. Eligible students are charged for and required to purchase the Premier Plan unless they timely waive with other coverage that meets the University’s requirements. Information about this coverage and general benefits questions can be found by visiting this site, or by emailing shi@georgetown.edu or calling 202-697-4883.

All health insurance policies in DC, including public and private health insurance plans that the D.C. government regulates (ie Medicaid, D.C. government employee insurance, and private plans sold on D.C.’s health exchange) are required to cover transition-related care.

DC Medicaid covers all treatments and procedures classified as medically necessary for transgender patients, including hormone therapy and some surgeries. A more detailed policy outline can be found at the links below.

DC Medicaid Non-discrimination Statement

DC Medicaid Gender Affirming Surgery Policy

For insurance purposes, the Student Health Center must record your legal name and legal gender marker during your first visit. However, during the intake process, there will also be a place to designate your chosen name and pronouns. Students can make an appointment by calling 202-687-2200 or visiting the website. Students may also call if they have further questions or concerns.

The National Center for Transgender Equality is a non-profit social justice organization advocating for transgender people in the United States. They maintain an exhaustive database of resources an information on gender-affirming healthcare, ID documents, and state, local, and national legislation.

The Trevor Project is a national non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention and mental health support for LGBTQ young people. They offer 24/7 support services to LGBTQ youth in crisis over text, chat, or telephone, as well as educational resources and research.

The Transgender Law Center is a US-based legal and civil rights organization fighting for transgender Americans. They offer guides to help navigate common legal issues transgender people face and a legal information help desk to answer questions and provide resources.

I Think I Might Be Transgender, Now What Do I Do? is a guide written by transgender young people and produced by the non-profit organization Advocates For Youth. The guide is intended to serve as a resource for questioning youth and to provide support around issues of gender identity, coming out, transition, and healthy relationships.