As a transgender student, I think the biggest issue we face is discrimination. Too often are administrators or professors unwilling to give students the proper respect and it leaves many feeling unwelcome and uncared for. Being a student is difficult enough, but trying to balance the weight of classes and the stress of unaccepting teachers and/or classmates can be unbearable. In high school, I watched one teacher threaten to out my friend to her parents if she didn't start doing better in class. These kinds of threats are all too common, especially with fellow students. I personally have fallen victim to harassment on multiple occasions, and it really makes one feel small and unwanted.
I recently wrote an essay on why the suicide rates are so high in the transgender community, and based on research, found that 75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school. This is primarily due to bullying and other forms of discrimination. For many with unsafe or unsupportive households, school is their only escape - but if we don't feel safe at school, what safe space do we have?
When weāre not being discriminated against, we are usually being treated like animals in a zoo. I have been many peopleās first ātrans friendā, which at first I didnāt mind. Iāve educated many people on my personal experiences being transgender, and how most transgender people like to be respected, however it seems like now itās become my job to answer extremely intrusive and uncomfortable questions. Many people mean no harm, but it goes to show how few people are educated on this subject, and how important it is to understand what questions you should and shouldnāt ask your transgender peers.
Many transgender people also have trouble finding jobs that provide safe and accepting spaces as well. Like at school, there are many uneducated and unaccepting people, and for those out at work, it can be extremely uncomfortable to work alongside these people.
Transgender students face a lot of challenges in both affording and safely navigating college. It is important that everyone be understanding of these circumstances, and try to do their best to be part of the solution, not the problem.
Here is a link for trans students in need of financial aid. You can apply for the TransgenderFirst Scholarship here: https://www.onlinedegree.com/transgender-first-scholarship/