As you can probably assume from the title, I’m transgender, and I’m interested in Cal State Long Beach for marine biology. Does anyone happen to know how LGBT-friendly, specifically transgender-friendly (LGBT-friendly sometimes just means LGB-friendly and it’s really disappointing when people don’t realize that; not all friendly places are T-friendly), the campus is? Thank you!
Long Beach as a city is very liberal and LGBT friendly. As a resident with Gay family members, this has probably been the most LGBT friendly city we have lived in. As for the college, from what I have seen, I would assume it reflects the city. I just had an article show up in my news feed about two days ago starting that transgendered students will now be allowed to use any name they choose on their non official school documentation, for example. I cannot remember specific other things that have read, but this seems to be a general attitude. Things seem to be in motion to make CSULB a t-friendly place.
@LKnomad really?? Long Beach is liberal? I lived in SoCal (not Long Beach but not too far away, really) for 5 1/2 years until 3 months ago, and I wouldn’t call my area liberal at all. But then again, maybe SC was weird. Thanks!
Also, I feel I have to point out that “transgendered” isn’t a word at all. The use of “-ed” at the end implies something happened to or was done to the person to make them transgender. Think of it like having a piece of paper that’s yellow. It wasn’t yellowed. It’s just yellow.
Also, I don’t mean to be picky, but I’m looking for much more than just letting me use my name, especially when other schools will provide gender-neutral housing, help with legal name and gender changes, and put hormones on student healthcare.
Yes Long Beach is very liberal. But So Cal has a lot of different types of places. If you head into Orange County you will be in a more conservative area, especially when you look at cities like Irvine and Fountain Valley. The easiest way to see this is during election time. When you look at specific issues you will see that LB and parts of Los Angeles will vote blue while areas in OC will vote Red or LB and LA will vote yes while OC votes no - etc. With this next election cycle, keep an eye out. It is interesting.
A friend of mine, who runs the LGBT program at a local private college told me that LB is known as the gay corridor. Her words, not mine.
As for specifics with CSULB. I was pointing out that I was noticing a lot of info coming through my news feed. I don’t pay much attention because it does not concern me, but there is enough positive happening that I notice it. If you want details you should contact the school directly and see what kinds of groups and programs they have.
Just because an area votes liberally doesn’t mean they are lgbtq friendly at all. I know liberals who don’t support them AT ALL.
But honestly I wouldn’t see any schools as trans friendly, I’d focus more on the area? Like a school in an extremely conservative area wouldn’t be as accepting. I went to school in Chico for a while, and I have friends who were attacked while at a pride parade.
(but this is all my opinion and i’m not an expert.)
@sarahjessica1995 that’s what I’m worried about because, in all honesty, a lot of people who claim to support the LGBT movements really support the LBG movements and I’m worried about ending up somewhere that forgets the T. I like the look of Long Beach for their marine bio program and I do like SoCal, but while I know the San Clemente climate because I lived there for 5 1/2 years and I urge all queer people to avoid SC, I don’t know what it’s like up in Long Beach or have anyone to ask about that detail. I also don’t believe a truly trans-friendly area exists, but, like, I like in North Carolina, so of course I don’t expect here to be good. I’m not staying here. But is Long Beach really much better?
I agree in @LKnomad I go to a high school here in this city that’s very diverse (racially, lgbtqia+, incomes, etc). There is quite a good amount of transgender people here at my school (met some of them through feminist club) and, they look happier here and safer here then in any other place that they’ve been around. Long Beach is one of the most diverse cities here in the U.S. I’ve visited CSULB before, and it has all types of people. My friends and I go to Long Beach’s annual LGBT+ parade, (they even have a teen version for it) and we feel welcome there. Btw, I recently I heard that CSULB has offered gender neutral restrooms for students who feel more comfortable with that option.