November is Transgender and Nonbinary Empowerment Month, which encompasses Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance
To our Transgender and Nonbinary community members: Your joy, knowledge, and multidimensional experiences add vibrance to our Berkeley community and we celebrate you. Your presence and contributions inspire and motivate us to create an environment where everyone has access to the rights, resources, and active community support they need for self-determination, however they identify. This month, by focusing on empowerment, we center the many ways that Trans and Nonbinary communities love, uplift, heal, and fight for a future of liberation and justice
Across the U.S. there are significant anti-trans legislative efforts and, even on this campus, speakers who oppose trans identities continue to exercise their free speech rightsWhile we are legally obligated to protect free speech, we recognize that constitutionally protected speech can still be deeply harmfulWe condemn the use of free speech as a vehicle for hate, bigotry, and
Academic Departments
The Department of Gender and Women’s Studies offers an innovative interdisciplinary undergraduate minor program in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Studies. It draws on disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, literature, and cultural studies.
The Othering & Belonging Institute's efforts to expand belonging for LGBTQ individuals is rooted in the scholarship of their LGBTQ Citizenship faculty cluster, which explores the ways LGBTQ people experience harm in our society, ranging from legal and extralegal discrimination to structural violence and sexual regulation, with particular attention to how sexuality and gender intersect with class, race, nationality, age, and disability.
Administrative Departments, Organizations and Student Groups
- Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq): Serves as UC Berkeley's inclusive campus hub around gender and sexuality, offering resources, support, educational programs, and leadership initiatives for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to foster a welcoming and inclusive Cal experience.
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Trans Student Wellness Initiative: A student-led and community-centered initiative supported by GenEq and the Multicultural Community Center that aims to support the holistic wellness and retention of Trans and Nonbinary students at UC Berkeley through community building events, resource distribution, and advocacy.
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Queer Alliance Resource Center (QARC): A student-run organization in charge of providing social, educational, and safe sex programming for the Queer and Trans community on campus, and also acts as an umbrella organization for all active queer/trans student organizations on campus. QARC is one of the oldest student orgs on campus and one of the oldest queer student orgs across the country, and are at the forefront of this movement, fostering a culture of acceptance and celebration.
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Registered student orgs in CalLink: There are multiple trans student orgs at UC Berkeley. Get involved today!
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Sexual Orientation and Gender Advocacy Project (SOGA): A Graduate Assembly Project that seeks to improve the lives and experiences of queer and gender-diverse graduate students at UC Berkeley, led by the SOGA and Trans & Gender Diverse Advocacy Project Directors who serve as advocates to address specific needs and concerns of the community to ensure their success in higher education and beyond.
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Transgender Students at Cal (T-Cal): Student organization providing a vital platform for Transgender and Nonbinary students, offering a supportive network and resources for navigating campus life. The organization actively promotes awareness and understanding of transgender experiences and challenges.
*Using the most up to date numbers from Spring 2024 semester. Includes eligible veterans, reservists, and dependents.
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Task Forces and Advisory Bodies:
- Chancellor's Advisory Committee on LGBTQ+ Communities at Cal: A committee advocating for an inclusive and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals at UC Berkeley. The committee has actively engaged in initiatives, policy reviews, and community concerns, driving significant positive change for LGBTQ+ staff, faculty, and students.
Student, Staff, and Faculty Resources
Staff and Faculty Group
- LavenderCal: A crucial network for LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, fostering a supportive and affirming workplace environment. Through various initiatives and events, it champions inclusivity and diversity within the UC Berkeley community.
Read and watch
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Nonbinary @ Calvia Berkeley Life
- Places of pride: 10 LGBTQ+ landmarks to discover on the UC Berkeley campusvia UC Berkeley Library
Statements
Practicing Allyship
- Learn about trans identities and history
- Understand and respect pronouns
- For those interested in addressing political, legal, and social violence impacting Trans and Nonbinary communities, we encourage you to think thoughtfully about ways to participate in upcoming elections