LGBTQ+ and Allies Student Resources

USD’s policy and California law prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. See USD’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment for more. If you experience discrimination based upon a trans, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming identity, gender expression, or sexuality, the Title IX Office exists to protect you.

The Title IX Office is here to support you in accessing services and responding to violations of USD’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment. Title IX is your primary resource for raising complaints or concerns around any discriminatory practices rooted in your gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. You can email Title IX at titleix@sandiego.edu or visit their office for more information.

USD prohibits bias-motivated behavior including hate crimes and acts of intolerance.

See the policy and reporting avenues.

Submit an anonymous report.

USD is committed to supporting students impacted by sexual and relationship violence no matter when or where an incident may have occurred. You have the right to decide if you'd like to speak with someone and who you want to speak with. USD offers a variety of resources for students, all of which are committed to create a safe space to listen to, validate and support you. Many of our CARE Advocates, University Ministers and clinical staff have gone through Safe Space Allies training. The entire CARE team has also received specific training on supporting LGBTQ+ students impacted by sexual and relationship violence.

To learn more about resources and ways to get involved, visit the Campus Assault Resources and Education page.

USD Student Wellness offers a variety of resources for students. We encourage you to access these resources at any time.

A few programs and services offered include the Counseling Center, Campus Assault and Resources Education (C.A.R.E.), the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion (CHWP), and the Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center.

All of the therapists on staff have engaged in specialized and gender-affirming training in order to effectively work with the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making you feel seen, safe, heard, prioritized, and respected.

This group draws on LGBTQ+ identities to create a deeper sense of community, enhance interpersonal experiences, and promote self-reflection and growth. To learn how to get involved, contact Jake Bigon, PsyD, at jbigon@sandiego.edu or call the USD Counseling Center at (619) 260-4655.

The Rainbow Educators (REs) are a group of students, staff, faculty, and alumni/ae who create and present workshops at the University of San Diego. In the past, workshops have been offered to residence halls, athletic teams, staff and faculty groups, Greek organizations, and student clubs. The workshops are interactive and dynamic; they include videos, role-plays, visualizations, Q&A, and personal stories.

The Rainbow Educators Program at USD supports the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST). To read more about these principles, visit the Mission and Ministry at the University of San Diego.

The TimelyCare App offers 24/7 mental and physical health support for current USD students. Licensed providers offer services for counseling, psychiatry, health coaching. and medical concerns from virtually anywhere! You can use this app out of state and internationally.

The Safe Space Allies Network enhances the ability of students, staff, administrators and faculty to demonstrate proactively and personally the University's core values of community and respect for all - regardless of identity.

The International Center is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ students in preparing for time abroad. Study Abroad Advisors are LGBTQ+ allies and have received training from USD's Rainbow Educator program and they are here to help you navigate your study abroad considerations, including these two guiding questions:

Where do you want to study abroad?

It is a good idea to research the cultural norms and laws of the country(ies) you hope to visit. Study Abroad advisors can help you think through the cultural and legal context of where you want to study.

What will my LGBTQ+ identity mean abroad?

As an LGBTQ+ student, you should be conscious of how your behavior/appearance translates into the host culture so you can make informed choices to ensure comfort and safety. Study Abroad advisors are available to help support you in considering how you want to navigate your identity and expression in a new culture.

Check out LGBTQ+ Abroad page at the International Center's website or schedule a meeting with one of our Study Abroad Advisors.

University Ministry is committed to supporting students of all identities. If you would like to explore the intersection of faith/spirituality and sexuality/gender, UM is a great resource for you. You can sign up to connect with a minister or get involved with their programs here. For general inquiries, email universityministry@sandiego.edu. For more information about LGBTQ+ identity and spirituality support contact Caroline Cacabelos at ccacabelos@sandiego.edu.

The Career Development Center is committed to supporting students of all identities. Our counseling team is available if you would like to explore how sexuality and gender may show up in the career development process, including questions about gender and sexuality on application materials and interviewing. Students can schedule an appointment with a career counselor on Handshake.

Key Career Development resources to know about include: Handshake to schedule an appointment and search for jobs/internships, T.E.A.M. our mentorship platform, our Torero Career Guide which has sample resumes and other documents, and our upcoming events page.

For a full list of all registered undergraduate student organizations look here.

For a full list of all registered undergraduate student organizations look here.

Any student who wishes to be identified within the university's information systems with a preferred first name may request this change. Your chosen name will be used in university systems except where the use of the legal first name is necessitated by university business or a legal requirement (e.g. diplomas, transcripts). To update your record with your chosen name, complete the request form on the ‘Personal Information' Channel of the MySanDiego portal.

For further instructions and frequently asked questions around this policy, visit USD's Preferred Name Protocol.

If you change your legal name, you can work with the Office of the Registrar to change your name in official campus records (inclusive of legal documents and your email address). The university is required to receive supporting legal documentation in order to process this request. You can submit this request and your documentation to the Office of the Registrar in Founders Hall, 117.

After completing either the preferred or legal name change, Campus Card Services can print you a corrected ID card at no cost. To make this a smooth process for you, we recommend letting the Title IX office know when you're going to visit Campus Card Services (the front desk staff are student workers who are accustomed to charging for issuing ID cards).

We have 14 all gender restrooms on campus, all of which are single use bathrooms. Download this map to see the locations of the restrooms. You can also locate these restrooms on USD's Interactive Map by searching "Gender Inclusive Restrooms." The changemaker org, Pee in Peace, exists to advocate for expanding this resource. In our university design standards, there is a commitment to include an all gender restroom in any new buildings or substantive remodels.

The Title IX Office is the point of contact for students looking to correct their gender marker on record. If you do not identify with the gender marker on your record, send a simple email to Nicki Veloz, our Title IX Coordinator, to request a change. No further documentation is required. USD’s records include four options for your designated gender marker: female-identified (F), male-identified (M), nonbinary (X), and “not available.” Requesting that your gender marker show as not available indicates that your record does not disclose any gender identity.

The Name and Gender-Marker Change Clinic, a project of Pride Law at the University of San Diego School of Law, is now operating online via Zoom. This free clinic assists transgender and non-binary San Diegans in changing their names and/or gender-markers legally. Clinics are now held on the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:30pm.

Please email transclinic.sandiego@gmail.com if you're interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment.

Please note that while the clinic is able to assist both minors and adults, they can only assist minors if at least one parent is on board and is willing to sign our intake paperwork and attend the clinic with their child.

All of USD’s on campus residential options are gendered. The housing application includes two gender identity questions. The first question invites you to share any information relating to your gender identity. The second question asks if you are affirming of and interested in living with someone who identifies as TGNC. If you indicate a gender identity that is different from your gender marker on record and/or express interest in living with someone who identifies as TGNC, Brandon McCreary, Director of Residential Administration, will outreach to you about our housing options for trans students. To secure a housing assignment most comfortable for you, you can contact Brandon McCreary at brandonmccreary@sandiego.edu.

First Year Housing Connect

The LGBTQ+ and Allies Commons hosts a server moderated by a student volunteer. The purpose of the platform is for incoming LGBTQ+ students to connect with one another and, if they choose, pursue potential roommate pairings. Register today to join the server. Note that roommate requests are due July 1st for the incoming Fall semester.

Hillcrest Youth Center services include support groups, mental health resources, computer lab, community closet, snacks, video games, arts & crafts, gender affirming supplies, name and gender marker change, basic needs resources and more! Resources are available to young adults through age 24. You can reach them at (619)-497-2920x122 and hyc@thecentersd.org.

Our Safe Place provides mental health services and drop-in centers for LGTBQ+ youth up to age 21 and their families. There are multiple locations in San Diego County for services. You can reach them at (619) 525-9903.

San Diego Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) provides in-person support to anyone, anywhere, experiencing mental health, drug, or alcohol-related crisis in San Diego County. MCRT dispatches behavioral health experts to emergency calls instead of law enforcement, when appropriate, with teams made up of clinicians, case managers, and peer support specialists. You can reach them at (888) 724-7240.

transhealth@fhcsd.org

The Trevor Project is a nationwide, 100% free & confidential crisis line specifically for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. You can access a counselor who is trained to work with queer and trans community member via phone, text, or chat. The TrevorSpace Program is an international online community for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 13-24 where you can connect with others and find support in a moderated virtual space. You can call them at (866)-488-7386 or text 'START' to 678-678.

Call BlackLine® provides a space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for folx who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens. Call BlackLine® prioritizes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). You can call or text 1-(800)-604-5841 24/7.

Trans Lifeline's Hotline (877) 565-8860 is a peer student phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning peers. You can call if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you're not in crisis or if you're not sure you're trans. This hotline does not use non-consensual active rescue. This resource is available 24/7.

FORGE reduces the impact of trauma on trans/non-binary survivors and communities by empowering service providers, advocating for systems reform, and connecting survivors to healing possibilities. FORGE strives to create a world where ALL voices, people and bodies are valued, respected, honored, and celebrated; where every individual feels safe, supported, respected, and empowered.