Gender Affirming Resources

If you identify as transgender, genderqueer, two spirit, non-binary, gender non-conforming, agender, bigender, or anything else under the trans umbrella, GSR is here to support you.


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Coming Out as Transgender

Coming out as transgender or gender non-conforming can be similar to coming out as lesbian or gay, but it also has unique aspects. If you need assistance with coming out, you may wish to email GSR, visit the Counseling Center, or join the Counseling Center LGBTQ Support Group.

Here are some additional guides for people who are coming out.

How do I navigate being misgendered?

There’s no “one size fits all” response to being misgendered, but here are a few ideas & suggestions:

  • Prioritize your safety
  • When able, gently correct/indicate as an FYI — say, “oh, I actually use [insert pronouns] pronouns”
  • Communicate with your professors via email about your name/pronouns before classes begin
  • Connect with trans students/support groups/forums to get support and advice from those going through it
  • Make friends who affirm your identity using the proper pronouns
  • Display your pronouns via pronoun pins if you’re comfortable (pronoun pins are available in the GSR office!)
  • Remind yourself that how people perceive you does not define who you are/your reality. You are valid regardless!

If you’d like to get connected to trans community at Hopkins, email our office at GSR@jh.edu


Resources for Our Trans Community at Hopkins

Athletics & Recreation

Student Health and Well-Being (SHWB) published A Guide to O’Connor Rec Center for Transgender and Nonbinary People that answers FAQs about navigating the rec center’s services and activities.

Hopkins adheres to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) transgender policy background and resources. This clarifies participation of transgender student-athletes undergoing hormonal treatment for gender transition. In summary, a transgender woman treated with testosterone suppression medication may continue to compete on a men’s team but may not compete on a women’s team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one year of testosterone suppression treatment. A transgender man who has received a medical exemption for treatment with testosterone is no longer eligible to compete on a women’s team without changing that team status to a mixed team. The policy was established in 2010 after widespread input from the membership and subject-matter experts in science, medicine and inclusion.

Chosen Names

We offer gender-affirming resources for students, faculty, and staff looking to change their name in JHU systems, including having their chosen name printed on their J-Card. Visit the Chosen Name at JHU page and the J-Card page for more information.

Gender Inclusive Housing

We’re proud to offer gender-inclusive housing in the Homewood residence halls. This is available for incoming first-year students and for returning students. Check out this PDF Document: gender-inclusive housing at JHU FAQ for more information.

If you have questions, email GSR or contact our colleagues in University Housing and Residential Life.

Health Insurance

Student, faculty, and staff health insurance at Hopkins have provisions for trans-inclusive care. Hormones and gender confirmation surgery are covered as any other medical procedure would be. Individual, small-group, and student health plans sold in Maryland are prohibited from excluding transition care in their policies. If you feel like you are not getting the coverage you are entitled to, you may be able to get legal support from the Maryland State Attorney General’s office, Free State Justice, and Whitman-Walker Clinic.

Student Health and Well-Being (SHWB) has more comprehensive information on their site, including information on in-network providers, requirements for various procedures, and services and resources available through student health services. (link coming soon!)

As of July 1, 2022, Hopkins has expanded coverage of surgeries and procedures related to gender-affirming care for student insurance plans. More information on procedures covered can be found at the PDF Document: overview of gender-affirming care benefits.

Our non-discrimination policy at Hopkins includes gender identity and expression, as well as sexual orientation. It reads “The University is committed to maintaining learning and working environments that are free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Each member of the community is responsible for fostering civility, for being familiar with this policy, and for refraining from conduct that violates this policy. Accordingly, discrimination based on sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic is prohibited.”

Restrooms

Everyone should be able to use restrooms that are safe and accessible. We support the rights of transgender and gender-non-conforming individuals to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identities. We also believe it is important to provide the option of all-gender restrooms, as they can serve the needs of transgender people, people with children, people who need assistance accessing the restroom, and anyone who needs extra privacy. We are working on listing all-gender restrooms and single-occupancy restrooms across Hopkins. Let us know if you’d like to help us identify or expand them!

We’ve created a map of all-gender restrooms at Johns Hopkins, which you can view by visiting bit.ly/JHUallgender

Beyond Campus – refuge restrooms is a web application where users can search for restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals, as well as comment and rate existing listings.

Transgender Resources in the Baltimore Area

The Johns Hopkins Medical Institution is proud to support the Center for Transgender Health. Learn more about the work of the Center for Transgender Health through these stories.

There are several transgender groups offered by the Pride Center of Maryland. Contact them to learn more about dates and times.

Chase Brexton Health Services Founded in 1978, Chase Brexton Health Services provides patient-centered interdisciplinary health care for diverse communities including those individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender; HIV positive and affected; and all others who face barriers accessing quality health care. Chase Brexton offers hormone treatments for transgender individuals looking to transition. They also offer a variety of other transgender-specific services. Chase Brexton has multiple locations, including one in Mt. Vernon.

Baltimore Community Relations Commission – This city agency investigates discrimination within the city in employment, housing, credit, health, and public accommodations.