On Friday, Nov. 3, the campus LGBTQ group, Allies, hosted its first transgender health fair in the Student Activities Center.
The fair featured resources for trans-identifying and presently transitioning students, including tips on transitions, books for and about trans individuals, and guest speaker Amy Vaughn.
Vaughn, an assistant professor at Baldwin Wallace in the communication disorders program, specializes in clinical education.
Vaughn spoke to the students on the topic of transgender voice therapy, a pressing issue for transgender people born with very deep or high voices, as people transitioning to another gender may wish to change the pitch of their voice as well.
The books featured at the event are a part of the Allies library, which students are allowed—and encouraged—to borrow from at will. There was also a large transgender pride flag canvas, which non-trans students covered with positive messages, such as “You are loved,” “We see you,” and “Your rights matter.”
Events like the trans health fair help to raise awareness amongst non-transgender students on trans matters, and offers resources for trans students on campus, according to Allies co-director Vex Cassius.
Cassuius hopes that the fair helps people understand the processes that transgender people go through, and that, in response, they’ll take a step towards being more inclusive in their daily lives.
“The change starts with you,” said Cassius. “Basically, trans people are people too.”
The fair was attended by both trans students and allies; it was clear that the night meant a lot to members of the transgender community, Cassius said.
Ro Gorczyca, an alumnus who graduated in 2016 and is a transgender man, was enthusiastic about the fair taking place at BW.
“I think it’s good for visibility,” he said. “I think this campus is supporting the LGB, but not the ‘T’ as much it should be, so this event is good.”
For allies, Gorczyca recommended doing research outside of asking their trans friends for information—many resources for transgenderism and other LGBTQ identities are available online.
“There is no one face or way of being transgender,” Cassius said. “Recognizing that every person is an individual with their own reasons while still respecting that person is incredibly important.”
The campus community is encouraged to attend Allies meetings, Cassius said, which will continue throughout the semester and into the spring.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 29, from 4-5 p.m., and will be a discussion of LGBTQ characters in media.