Queer, Transgender, and Gender Expansive Resources and Support

Gender-affirming care is available at the Peterson Counseling Center through support groups, individual counseling, and the ability to provide support letters for established patients. The office works closely with Planned Parenthood, an informed consent agency, and can connect students to therapists, endocrinologists, and gender-affirming care centers within the community.

At Ringling College, we are committed to creating an environment that affirms and supports transgender and non-binary individuals. We adhere to the following guidelines to ensure that all members of our community feel respected and included:

1. Respect for Pronouns: We encourage everyone to respect and use individuals’ chosen names and pronouns. Pronouns are an essential aspect of one’s identity, and using the correct pronouns demonstrates allyship and respect for gender diversity.
2. Gender-Inclusive Facilities: We provide gender-inclusive facilities across campus to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff have access to safe and comfortable spaces.
3. Training and Education: We offer training and educational resources to increase awareness and understanding of transgender and non-binary issues. This includes D.E.E.P. (Diversity and Equity Education Certificate Program) workshops, and resource materials to support the queer, trans, and gender-expansive community.
4. Policy Support: We have policies prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression. These policies ensure that transgender and non-binary individuals are protected from harassment and discrimination.

The College provides opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to share and recognize one another’s personal pronouns in and outside of classrooms, on-campus events, and meetings, as well as in their email and Zoom signatures.

You can update your preferred pronouns and gender identity in Self-Service. You are not required to declare either of these—they are 100% optional. If you choose preferred pronouns, they will be visible to all administrators on campus. More importantly, they will be very prominent to your instructors in the class lists they access every semester. Gender identity will only be visible to select administrators in Advising, Student Life, The Counseling Center, and Housing. This information will be used to enhance student services on campus.

Ringling is committed to working with you to help find an on-campus housing option that meets your needs and where you can feel comfortable. Students may choose to select their roommate(s). Roommate pairings must be mutually requested, and there is no restriction on the age, sex, or gender of the roommate groups. Students who do not select a roommate group will be paired using the habit questions on the housing application and are assigned by the sex assigned at birth. Contact reslife@ringling.edu for more information on gender-inclusive housing options.

The trans and non-binary members of the Ringling College community have full access to gender-inclusive facilities. Gender-inclusive restrooms are located across campus, and all are designated for single use.

The Queer Closet is a donation-based free resource for Ringling College students, staff, and faculty to find clothing and accessories that match their gender identities and ultimately create an affirming experience for all genders and bodies. You can donate or visit the closet Monday-Friday, from 8:30 am-4:30 pm during the regular school year.

Explore our list of Queer, Trans, and Gender Expansive Terms and Definitions.

A collaboration between Ringling College’s CDI team and Goldstein librarians to support diversity, equity, and inclusion via Goldstein library materials. Explore the CDI LibGuides and the Library CDI Sub-Collections.