• If you are thinking of transitioning, you don’t have to tell anyone if you don’t want to, but internal support is available for confidential advice and/or support at any time. 
• To change your name or gender identity on records please contact [email protected].
• If you are a friend of someone who is transitioning / has transitioned our allies page has some great tips. 
• Please remember disclosing someone’s gender identity or ‘outing’ someone without their consent could have serious consequences, for you and the individual. If you are seeking support/advice about someone you are supporting, without explicit consent of the individual, you must anonymise them in discussions with third parties
• Inclusive environments are the responsibility of everyone, if you hear/see/experience transphobia (including derogative comments and misgendering) and you feel safe to, we hope you will speak out. 

Transphobic bullying, harassment or victimisation is not tolerated at USW; they contravene both the Equality Act 2010 and USW's Trans Equality Policy Statement.

Speaking to someone for advice

USW has in place LGBTQ+ Role Models who provide advice and guidance to all students.

You can contact [email protected] where one of our dedicated Advice Zone team members will answer your query.

Please get in touch with Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager Emma Kwaya-James for more information.

All contact with the named people will remain confidential except when:

• You give explicit consent to share information 
• There is a concern for your safety or the safety of others

Students can join the Students’ LGBTQ+ Society.

There is a dedicated SU LGBTQ+ (Trans) Officer (depending on election turnout).

The other relevant SU officers are LGBTQ+ (Open Place) and LGBTQ+ (Women’s Place).

If there are no Student Council Officers elected, then student enquiries should be directed to the SU Vice President Welfare

Students can speak to The Wellbeing Service at USW.

Trans people have the right, by law, to use facilities appropriate to their gender identity or expression; they do not have to use gender-neutral facilities. As per USW Trans Equality Policy, this includes those who identify as non-binary, agender, gender fluid or any other self-identified term.

However, should you choose to, there are a limited number of gender-neutral facilities available at USW and the locations of these are listed below. This is currently being reviewed with the intention of making more facilities available in the near future.

Accessible toilets are open for all to use.

• Shower facilities at Newport Campus on A floor
  • N.B. situated opposite reception (gendered facilities on floor A are by the dance studio)
• Toilets at Cardiff Campus, area 2B
• Toilet in the Students’ Union building in Treforest
• Changing facilities at USW Sports Park 2
  • N.B. Sports Park 1 has gendered changing facilities

LGBTQ+ Organisations

Stonewall Cymru
An LGBTQ+ charity that provides advice and guidance for LGBTQ+ people and their family and friends and works with employers to help them become more inclusive. USW is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and participates in their Workplace Equality Index every year. You can also search for local community events and support groups in your area.

Galop
An LGBTQ+ anti-violence charity, providing information and support to anyone who has suffered domestic abuse, sexual violence or hate crime.

Gendered Intelligence
This organization provides information, support and resources for trans people, parents and families. They also run youth groups and provide awareness workshops and training for all sectors.

Mermaids
Provides information, guidance and resources for young trans people and their families. They have private forums which people can join, one for trans young people and one for parents and family members.

Trans Unite
A resource for discovering local LGBTQ+ support groups in your area.
transEDU
An online resource for staff and students in Further and Higher Education.

Gender Identity Research & Education Society
Conduct research to help promote trans equality, including contribution to policy development, and provide information and resources to individuals and families.

Constellations
18–25-year-olds, with free counselling and support

Impact LGBT+
18-25 group in Cardiff

GWIR
11-25 group in Newport

FFLAG
Supporting families and their LGBTQ+ loved ones.

Trans Actual

Umbrella Cymru
Provide support and advice for folks on the Welsh Gender Service list, but you’re welcome to contact them if you’re not.

The Samaritans
A helpline to discuss any issue you may be facing.
Call 116 123 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Mindline Trans+
A confidential mental health support line for people who identify as trans.
Call 0300 330 5468 (Mondays and Fridays 8 p.m.- midnight)

Galop
National LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse helpline.
Call 0800 999 5428 (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 am – 8 pm)
LGBT Cymru Helpline
Advice and guidance including about social events/ groups. Free telephone and email counselling available.
Call 0800 840 2069 (Wednesdays 7pm – 9 pm)

LGBT Foundation
Advice and guidance on anything relating to LGBT.
Call 0345 330 3030 (Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturdays 10am – 6pm)

Mermaids
A helpline for people who identify as trans and their family or friends.

Call 0344 344 0550 (Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm)

ECU (Equality Charter Unit) guidance on improving experiences of staff and students in HE (You will need to create an account to download this, just use your USW email as your username).

Stonewall's Transitioning pages gives guidance and advice for trans people, families and friends and educators.

53 questions about being non-binary shares advice about non-binary people in a comprehensive FAQ.

Gendered Intelligence guide for parents and family members of trans peoples. They have superb resources tailored to education/working environments.

Trans Aid Cymru you’ll find a large collection of resources under a variety of different categories. There’s also resources for parents of trans kids here too.

Gender Diversity in Indigenous Cultures provides information on worldwide cultures with historical gender diversity and the various roles they play in their heritage, with some nods to elements of various faiths as well.

Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organisation creating resources and spreading awareness of trans people.

Gender Unicorn

Pronouns and how to use.

Definitions

The National Centre for Trans Equality Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally.

Humanequin members (TransForm, Youth Cymru) describe their experiences as young trans people in Wales and give advice to other

Things Not To Say To A Trans Person (please note, this video contains uncensored language that some people may find offensive):

Things Not To Say To A Non-Binary Person (please note, this video contains uncensored language that some people may find offensive):

‘Who is allowed to be a victim?’ Travis Albanza talks about the effects of people’s reactions:

Staff from Gender Spectrum discuss non-binary identity and give advice for parents: