The Sexual & Gender Diversity office offers educational workshops, provides supports and resources to students and staff and consults with students, staff and faculty on matters pertaining to gender identity, gender expression, transgender and transsexual students, staff and faculty. Initiatives of the Office include:
- developing and maintaining a list of gender neutral washrooms for all three campuses
- training student life professionals (residence life staff, student affairs/services staff, counsellors)
- providing guidelines and educational seminars for staff at the Athletic Centre and Faculty of Physical Education and Health to enhance the participation of trans-identified people accessing the facilities (coaches, front office, strength & conditioning staff, pool staff. etc.)
- provision of multiple educational seminars and consultation to employees including Human Resources staff, Registrars, faculty and facilities staff
- consultation on policy initiatives such as employment equity, the staff experience survey, recruitment and retention of employees and students
Frequently Asked Questions (for students)
Toronto Community Links and Canadian Resources
U.S. and International Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my name and/or gender on my academic records and ROSI?
Are there gender neutral washrooms on campus?
Are there academic programs and courses that focus on transgender issues?
Is there a non-discrimination policy regarding gender identity at U of T?
Are hormone therapies covered under the student union sponsored plans?
What other resources exist on campus?
I want to change my name and/or gender on my academic records and ROSI. How do I go about doing this?
There is a new and transparent way for students to have their name and/or gender changed on their academic records at U of T. A policy instituted in May 2009, students may change their name and/or gender on academic records, class lists and ROSI by writing a letter addressed to their college Registrar or the Registrar of the School of Graduate Studies and request that the name be changed from a former name to the new preferred name, or gender to male or female. At this time, the University must have gender listed as either male or female, so this option does not satisfy all trans and gender variant people. Please be sure to provide student ID number (the University requires this) in the letter to the Registrar. The letter of request must be taken to the relevant Registrar's office in person for the change to take effect.
A complete disclosure as to the reasons for the request for name change does not need to be presented to the Registrar of the college or faculty - that is up to you. You can contact our office if you would like more information or support.
For the Statement Concerning Change of Student Personal Information in Official Academic Records and guidelines click here. Any questions from administrators or students can be directed to the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office.
Are there gender neutral washrooms on campus?
Yes. In 2003 the Office began compiling a list of all the single-stall, lockable restrooms on all three campuses. Accessible, single-occupancy restrooms are located on each campus. Specific locations of these washrooms are listed. Go to the list.
Are there academic programs and courses that focus on transgender issues?
Yes. There are a few courses that specifically encompass transgender lives, politics, histories, culture and more. We offer this information as a starting point. The Sexual Diversity Studies Program offers courses including UNI 255 and UNI 256.
Is there a non-discrimination policy regarding gender identity at U of T?
Our current policies do not explicitly refer to discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression. However, the University follows the practice of interpreting "sex and/or sexual orientation" to encompass all forms of gender identification and gender identity. This is in keeping with recent legal rulings and with the recommendation of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Thus any University policy that refers to sex or sexual orientation should be read as including gender identity. These policies include: the Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures, the Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment (which gives effect to the human rights code) and the Code of Student Conduct.
Some collective agreements do contain explicit language in their non-discrimination articles providing safeguards against discrimination on the basis of gender identity, although the terms used refer variously to sex, gender and gender orientation. See agreements with CUPE 3902, CUPE 3907, United Steel Workers Local 1998. If you are the target of discrimination or harassment at work, your union has specific authority to represent and support you. For more information and support please don't hesitate to contact our office or the Sexual Harassment Office.
Are hormone therapies covered under the student union sponsored plans?
In addition to UHIP, there are four student union sponsored health plans that are designed to offer benefits not covered by OHIP/UHIP. Graduate Students on all three campuses are covered by a plan offered by the Graduate Students Union (GSU). Part-time undergraduate students on all three campuses are covered by a plan offered by the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS). Full-time undergraduates enrolled at UTSC are covered by a plan offered by the Scarborough Campus Students Union (SCSU). Full-time undergraduates enrolled at the St. George and UTM campuses are covered by a plan offered by the University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU).
The benefits offered by each plan are quite different. Students can confirm which plan they are enrolled in by reviewing their detailed account statement on ROSI. Benefit details can be found on the student unions' websites. (www.gsu.utoronto.ca, www.apus.utoronto.ca, www.scsu.ca, www.utsu.ca). Staff and faculty also have a plan with Green Shield Canada administered through the HR department. TAs have an additional dental plan through the Canadian Union of Public Employee (CUPE 3902).
Again, the benefits offered by each plan differ. Students seeking confirmation of coverage need to seek the name or Drug Identification Number of each individual drug being prescribed and then confirm with Green Shield/Sun Life. With this information the plan administrators can also contact Green Shield on behalf of a student. Students enrolled in the UTSU plan can either pay up front and submit the official drug receipt along with a Green Shield claims form to Green Shield for reimbursement, or they can provide their plan ID to the pharmacist and have the bill sent electronically. This means the student will not have to pay and wait for reimbursement. All other plans are based solely on filing drug receipts for reimbursement. Claim forms can be found in all student union offices, the Health Service offices and are available for download from the student union websites.
What About My T-card?
The name on your card must be the same name registered in ROSI. You can make that change at your Registrar's office. You will want to obtain a replacement T-card which will bear the new information. There is no charge for this card. The old T-card must be returned to the T-card Office before a new card can be issued. If the card is not returned a replacement fee of $12 (HST included) will apply. Any unused cash value on the old T-card will be transferred to the new T-card.
Many student life professionals (Registrars, Counsellors, Academic Advisors, Residence Life, Student Life) have a level of awareness and/or have taken educational seminars regarding the needs of trans-identified students. As such, you should find allies across the University. If you are experiencing any kind of harassment or treatment that you feel is less than respectful, we urge you to contact the Office and we will respond.
The Centre for Women and Trans People is committed to providing a safe, harassment-free drop in space for all women and trans people on campus. They provide free support, referrals, resources and advocacy on issues of sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, violence, health and poverty through our workshops, events, services and programming.
Toronto Community Links and Canadian Resources
The Office collaborates with and refers to many programs within the greater Toronto area to maximize support for trans and intersex students and staff. If you see a service that isn't listed here - please let us know!
Trans Programming at the 519
A multi-service programme that is primarily for lower income and/or street-active transsexuals and transgender people (TS/TG). This program does all sorts of things as a service for the Toronto TS/TG community based on need.
Sherbourne Health Centre: Health Care for the Trans Community
Sherbourne Health Centre provides responsive, respectful programs and services for the Transgender and Transsexual (Trans) community. Sherbourne Health Centre has a specific family health team that deals with LGBTQ folks with a catchment area of the 416/647 area codes.
Supporting Our Youth (SOY) Trans Fusion Crew Trans Partner Network
Thursdays 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Share a yummy meal, access resources, socialize and have fun together. There's usually some great art project going on, too! No experience required. For more info, contact Yasemeen/Syrus at (416) 324-5078.
The Trans Partner Network is a Toronto based group of partners who come together to form a support group. They will be hosting a free eight week workshop series where partners of trans and gender-variant people can learn, share, and explore in a structured, supportive and creative environment.
TRANSGENDER & INTERSEX RESOURCES
These resources are from various sources. If you have a link that you would like added - please contact us!
| Queertransmen Lots of info on health and HIV and resources for Trans men who are Gay, Bi or/and Queer. TransFaith Online Places a particular emphasis on support and education within the Christian tradition and Christian communities. |
| FTM International The internet contact point for the largest, longest-running educational organization serving FTM transgender people and transsexual men. |
| Gender Identity Education and Research Society Lower surgery for men booklet. |
| Gender Mosaic Transgender support group in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. |
| International Journal of Transgenderism Electronic journal for the transmission of scholarly work in the area of transgenderism. |
| Masquerade A Winnipeg social club for cross dressers, the transgender, and their wives/girlfriends. |
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TGStation |
| Trans Alliance Society A B.C.-wide organization devoted to providing varied forums and resources to assist in the personal development, growth, and contact of its members with the transgendered community. |
| Transgender Aging Network Exists to improve the lives of current and future trans/SOFFA (significant others, friends, family and allies) elders. |
| Transgender Cafe The Winnipeg Transgender Group is a volunteer organization of post-surgical and pre-surgical male-to-female, female-to-male and intersexed individuals. |
| Trans Hamilton Trans Hamilton is a group run by "The Well" in Hamilton, Ontario. If you self-identify as: transgender, transsexual, trans, bigender, third gender, genderqueer, genderfuck, FtM, MtF, FtF, MtM, cross-dresser, transvestite, bois, t-girls, t-boys, or questioning… This group is for you! "The Well" is a new centre in Hamilton that promotes LGBTQ health and wellness. Contact Laurel at transhamilton@gmail.com. |
| Trans-Health The online magazine of health and fitness for transsexual and transgendered people. |
| Transsexual Menace Toronto An on-line show of force for transgender activism. |
| Transsexual Women's Resources |
| Trans Support Group From the London Intercommunity Health Centre: meets the first Thursday of every month from 7pm-9pm. For more information, see www.tgstation.com/london. |
| Xpressions A not-for-profit support and social group designed to enhance the lives of cross-dressers and their families. |
U.S. and International Resources
• Center for Gender Sanity (workplace consulting)
• FTM International
• Gender Education & Advocacy
• GenderTalk
• WPATHStandards of Care (recently revised)
• International Foundation for Gender Education
• Intersex Society of North America
• Transgender Boards
• TG International
• Association for Gender Research, Education, Academia & Action
• TransGenderCare.com
• The Transgender Guide
• Transgender at Work
• Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Activists & Policymakers (from NGLTF)
• Transgender Law & Policy
• Trans Health Care Report
• Transsexual Women's Pages
• Gender Spectrum Youth