The University of South Florida has joined a small number of campuses to add "Transgender" on their campus housing forms and giving students who identify as transgender the option of living in a single room, living with a friend or being entered into the lottery where they would be assigned to another student of their "birth sex."

To read this article click here.

One of the first things that may pop into a student's mind who is exploring gender identity and/or expression or already starting the transition process is, "What are the options for campus housing?" Over the years I've heard horror stories from students who were placed in an "all girl" or "all male" dormitory and living with roommates who were verbally abusive toward them due to their transgender identity. I've heard of students waiting until 2 or 3 in the morning to go into the bathroom to shower because they feared for their safety during the day and didn't have anywhere else to go where they felt comfortable.

Working toward trans-friendly dorms is a great place to begin trans-inclusion on college campuses. The dorms are where students form their community (especially the first year of college). They are also the place where students will spend a large majority of their time. If you are transgender and you fear for your safety or feel ostracized by the other students on your floor or in your hall, then you are missing out on social development, relaxation, a safe place to sleep and a place to study when the coffee houses, libraries or student union become too hectic.