What type of gender & sexuality resources are you looking for?
Welcome to Gender & Sexuality Resources
This page of the Wellbeing website contains information about Gender & Sexuality Resources that are available to students.
UCSB is committed to creating an environment where our LGBTQIA+ identified students can thrive both personally and academically. There are many departments and services on campus that provide gender and sexuality education, resources, and programming for students. We highly recommend checking out the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (RCSGD) located on the third floor of the Student Resource Building (SRB), which offers peer support, community spaces, and campus advocacy.
We hope that these outlined resources will serve as a starting place to help students navigate the unique and diverse needs of our LGTBQIA+ community.
LGBTQIA+ Center
The Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (RCSGD) serves as UCSB's LGBTQIA+ center, ensuring that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty have the support they need to succeed at UC Santa Barbara and beyond. They provide community spaces and events, 1:1 student support, workshops, education, campus advocacy, consultation services for campus departments and student orgs, and much more! Their lounge, located on the 3rd floor of the Student Resource Building, provides a space where students can study and spend time between classes, a computer lab with free printing, free snacks, free safer sex and menstruation supplies, and a whole lot of resources!
For more information on their events and services or to access their educational resources, check out the RCSGD's website!
Gender Affirmation
Trans@UCSB
Trans@UCSB is a navigational guide around gender and transition for students at UC Santa Barbara. This collection of resources, recommendations, referrals, advice, and step-by-step instructions is intended to help students navigate gender exploration and transition on our campus. Subsections include:
- Support and Community
- Social Transition
- Medical Transition
- Trans* Glossary
UCSB staff are here to provide support and guidance throughout your journey. If you have any edits, suggestions, resources requests, or unanswered questions, please reach out to equity@sa.ucsb.edu.
Gender-Affirmation and Presentation
Gender presentation usually refers to the way one presents their gender visually. Gender presentation may involve hair, body shape, clothing, or accessories. One’s voice, mannerisms, and the way they take up space may also play a role in how they present their gender to the world.
For for information on gender-affirming product education, free gender-affirming products, safe binding, local hair stylist/barber recommendations, and other information to help you feel affirmed in your gender presentation, please explore this gender presentation page!
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UCSB’s Health Equity Advocate and the RCSGD have created a Beginner’s Guide to Gender Euphoria. If you are exploring your gender identity or know someone who is, feel free to download and share this guide! |
Queer and Trans Health
Healthcare is important for everyone, but some groups are more likely to experience inaccessibility or discrimination in the pursuit of healthcare. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those that fall under the Trans+ umbrella, may be hesitant or unable to acquire the care they need due to the obstacles and gaps in knowledge that persist in many healthcare settings. These resources may be helpful to all students, but were designed with Queer and Trans student needs in mind.
Student Health Service (SHS)
UCSB Student Health is an invaluable on-campus resource dedicated to serving all students in their health and wellbeing needs. Student Health recognizes that LGBTQIA+ students may have health concerns that require specific knowledge or understanding. While all of our staff are trained on LGBTQIA+ topics, we also have a dedicated team of providers that specialize in queer and trans health. To learn more about how Student Health is committed to serving LGBTQIA+ students and what services they offer, please refer to their LGBTQIA+ Care page!
UCSB Student Health LGTBQIA+ & Trans Healthcare
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS offers single session, short term, and long term talk therapy in either one-on-one or group therapy formats. In addition, Mental Health Peers offer workshops, support, and education on mental health topics to students. Professional consultation is available to faculty, staff, and families. All registered students are eligible for services at CAPS. When help is needed in sorting out a personal concern, CAPS is a resource for learning new skills in building self-confidence, relating to others, reducing stress, solving problems, and identifying options.
Health Equity Advocate
The Health Equity Advocate at UCSB is Buster Buchanan. His role works closely with Student Health, the RCSGD, and other campus departments to ensure that marginalized students, especially queer and trans students, receive accessible and equitable healthcare. He is equipped to help with healthcare navigation, health insurance, health discrimination, transitioning, LGBTQ+ health, and more. He also maintains the Trans@UCSB website and our gender-affirming product programs.
Schedule a 30 or 50 minute meeting via shoreline or email Buster directly at equity@sa.ucsb.edu.
Medical Transition
Medical transition is a process in which someone makes physical changes to their body to better reflect their gender. Common forms of medical transition include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and a variety of gender-affirming surgeries. There are countless ways of affirming your gender and we are happy to support you as you explore what works best for you. If you have questions about medical transitioning or want to explore your options, check out the Medical Transition section of the Trans@UCSB guide or contact the Health Equity Advocate at equity@sa.ucsb.edu.
Additional Resources
Women's Center
The Women’s Center is the primary organization on campus dedicated to providing education on women’s issues, feminism, healthy masculinities, and gender and social equity. Our space and programs are available to all individuals of all genders interested in understanding how gender shapes our social world, and how we can work to eliminate all forms of gender-based oppression. The Women's Center does regular collaborations with student health and the Department of Health & Wellness. We share a lounge space with Health and Wellness where students are welcome to study, relax, check out books from The Women’s Center library, use the massage chair, and get access to free and healthy snacks.
The Women's Center is dedicated to providing students with the menstrual and sexual health products they need. More information on where you can get free and affordable menstrual and sexual health products on campus.
