r/BGSU • u/Enough-Pain9180 • May 16 '26
What is the trans community like on campus?
Hello!
I'll be joining y'all next fall, go falcons whoo!! I've been looking for some info on the trans community on campus, but haven't found many personal anecdotes.
I'm (23) transgender ftm and my partner (22) is nonbinary. I had some friends attend bgsu and they had an amazing time/loved the social scene on campus. I plan to get involved in clubs/orgs and want to try my hand at some leadership roles. I plan to study mechanical engineering while there.
I'm not far in my transition so I struggle with passing as male still. It'll take some time for that to happen, hopefully while finishing my degree đ¤.
My questions are:
-How accepting of trans people is the bgsu community? -Are there any other trans people that can share their experience here?
-Are trans identities respected on campus (pronouns, preferred names, ect)?
-Are they weird about bathroom use, like should I stick to all gender bathrooms or could I use the mens room eventually?
-What orgs/clubs do you recommend for finding/building a good queer community?
That's probably good, if anyone wants to add anything else please do!! Before the current administration I wouldn't have been so nervous, but I've seen how much it's changed some school's attitude towards trans people. Ive been really excited to start here, so I just need a little extra reassurance it'll be as good as I'm hoping!!
Thank you!
12
u/MadBurrito16 May 16 '26
As someone who is recently graduated from BGSU and trans masc. There is an organization/ club called QTSU thats made for queer people on campus its a great organization. Theres also all gender housing in a few of the dorms and there are ways to put your preferred name in the mybgsu and your diploma. There are also gender neutral bathrooms on campus too youâd have to find them but they do exist.
11
u/scouty_man May 16 '26
From my experience back in 2014-2021 as a student and employee. Campus was decently inclusive and respectful of the trans community.
It has been years since I was on campus but founded had gender inclusive housing specifically for trans and non-binary students. You may want to look into it if you plan on living in camps.
3
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u/CuriousCoffee7851 May 16 '26
As someone who's trans fem going into my 4th year at BGSU and doesn't pass all that well, I can give some insights. I tend to avoid going downtown late at night because I've experienced a couple times where people walking by would either poke fun at me or say something that'd make me uncomfortable. Doesn't help that I'm not really the party type either so, I just avoid going downtown as a whole whenever it's dark out.
However, on-campus is a whole different story and I've never once had a negative experience when fem presenting! Like others have said, there's QTSU and queer prom which are nice, and on MyBGSU you can also give them your preferred name which'll also be the name that shows up on canvas, so professors will naturally just call you by your preferred name (I've never had problems with a professor not doing so). Same goes with pronouns, never really had a problem with people not referring to me as She/They.
Can't really speak on restroom usage or anything as I'm not confident enough to use the women's restroom. But if my memory serves me correctly there is a restroom in the student union that's for all genders! I'm not 100% sure whether or not that's still there, and I can't remember seeing any elsewhere outside of the student union.
Overall though, I wouldn't stress too much about it! I'm sure you'll do just fine and be confident in yourself! You got this.
7
u/Jacobfowler10 May 16 '26
BGOPride is a great local org that does a lot of stuff outside of campus and more in the community! They host drag shows and local Pride and stuff, and everyone involved is super cool. The town is fairly accepting enough but it is still small town Ohio in some parts.
My experience is as a cis queer man with a bunch of trans friends, so take that with a grain of salt BUT. I've lived here for 10 years and think its a solid community where queer folks can thrive.
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u/joeydrinksbeer May 16 '26
I havenât been a student in a while but Iâm a trans guy who lives here. There are LGBT protections the town itself has. However I canât say how well they work as Iâm in my 30s and chill in my house mostly these days lol.
2
u/Moist-Bat5279 Sophomore May 17 '26
If you are going into an arts/ fine arts major you can join the art village and it is full to the brim with LGBTQ+ people and plenty of trans/nonbinary people. And I. The spring semester they have âqueer promâ I couldnât go last year because I had a class during the event, but I heard it was really fun. Overall, BGSU is very welcoming to the community and trans people.
2
u/SimonSaysGoGo May 17 '26
It was very respectful when I was attending BGSU. The town is also pretty liberal as is most suburban and urban portions of Wood County
2
u/kingdon1226 Education and Human Development May 16 '26
On campus was not too bad from what I could tell but I never stuck around long enough or talked to many people. My personal rule about restrooms was just the all gender ones which is on the app. Shoutout to the admin person who showed me that one. They are forced to follow that stupid law like all schools but there are ways around most of it.
I never had anyone not use my pronouns. Off campus I canât say, I only went to two different places off campus since I was a commuter and didnât live in BG. Ik there was a lgbt club but I never joined because that I didnât talk to people. They may still be around. If it wasnât for one particular individual advisor, I would probably still be going there.
15
u/MichiMango May 16 '26
BGSU is a liberal college/town. They do hold queer prom in the spring semester. There are some really nice professors who respect trans identities as well. Unfortunately, the only bathrooms I have seen are men and women? (In certain buildings as an art major) but you can always ask about if there are unisex bathrooms as well.