CHALLENGES OF TRANSGENER STUDENTS
Transgender
10 Challenges Transgender and Queer Students Face in Schools
Many transgender and non-binary students experience difficulties in schools.
Posted April 11, 2021 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma
THE BASICS
Source: Freepik/flag photo created by Freepik
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights have seen significant progress in recent years in many countries. For many LGBTQ students, being open about their sexual orientation and sexual identity on campus no longer have the same stigma and repercussions as they might have experienced in the recent past.
However, many challenges remain for LGBTQ students as they navigate their school and social environments, including whether to “come out” in class, how to respond when a fellow student or instructor makes homophobic remarks, how to respond when being treated as “different” or “strange”, how to deal with negative gossip, and how to cope with bullying, to name just a few examples.
In particular, for transgender and non-binary (gender-queer) students there continues to be significant difficulties on a regular basis regarding how to conduct themselves in various campus environments and scenarios. There may be heightened stress and anxiety over certain decisions that may lead to rejection, ridicule, hostility, or institutional persecution.
Below are ten challenges transgender and non-binary/genderqueer students often encounter on campus, with references from my books How to Let Go of Negative Thoughts and Emotions and How to Communicate Effectively and Handle Difficult People. Depending on the individual and her/his/their circumstances and environment, the number and degree of challenges will differ.
1. Whether to use the “women’s” or “men’s” restroom due to lack of gender-neutral facility or inadequate signage.
2. Whether to use the “women’s” or “men’s” gymnasium.
3. Whether to use the “women’s” or “men’s” shower.
4. Whether to apply to live in the “women’s” or “men’s” dormitory.
5. Whether to participate on “women’s” or “men’s” sports teams.
6. How to identify themselves on documents when the gender section only provides two options: “male” or “female”.
7. Whether they will be allowed to apply for grants and scholarships intended for “women students”.
8. Whether they will be allowed to use student services such as the “women’s center”.
9. Whether they will be allowed to use student medical services such as the “women’s health clinic”.
10. How to respond when identified and called with the incorrect pronoun, either mistakenly or deliberately, by college staff and fellow students.
For tips on how to handle homophobia and sexual identity, sexual-orientation-related stress, see references below.
© 2021 by Preston C. Ni. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright violation may subject the violator to legal prosecution.
References
Ni, Preston. How to Let Go of Negative Thoughts and Emotions. PNCC. (2014)
Ni, Preston. Are You Highly Sensitive? How to Gain Immunity, Peace, and Self-Mastery!. PNCC. (2017)
Ni, Preston. How to Communicate Effectively and Handle Difficult People — 2nd Edition. PNCC. (2006)
Ni, Preston. How to Communicate Effectively and Handle Difficult Teenagers. PNCC. (2015)
Ni, Preston. How to Reduce Anxiety & Increase Certainty in Difficult Situations – A Practical Guide. PNCC. (2016)
LGBTQ Student Resources & Support
LGBTQ Student Resources & Support
LGBTQ Support Services
Trans Student Educational Resources
5 Things You Can Do to Support Your LGBTQ Students
About the Author
Online:
Website, Facebook, X, LinkedIn
advertisement
Transgender Essential Reads
The Psychological Impact of Anti-Trans Policies in Sports
The Transgender Road to Tennessee
What You’re Not Being Told About Anti-Trans Regulations
LGBTQ+ Representation in Sports Is at an All-Time High
How Do I Come Out as Trans or Nonbinary?
advertisement
Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.
Cities:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Brooklyn, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Oakland, CA
- Omaha, NE
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- Sacramento, CA
- Saint Louis, MO
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tucson, AZ
- Washington, DC
Are you a Therapist? Get Listed Today
More from Preston Ni M.S.B.A.
Relationships
3 Min Read
The Impact of Gender Expectations on Boys and Young Men
Many countries around the world are experiencing shifts in gender stereotypes.
Narcissism
3 Min Read
5 Signs of a Covert Vulnerable Narcissist
Vulnerable narcissists exhibit a unique combination of fear and aggression.
Therapy
3 Min Read
6 Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Teenagers
Animal-assisted therapy enhances teenagers’ social skills.
Career
3 Min Read
How to Let Go of “Little Things” and See the Big Picture
In life, we’re often upset by many annoyances and frustrations.
More from Psychology Today
Transgender
7 Min Read
Are Transgender Women Just Reinforcing Sexist Stereotypes?
Would transgender women exist if men were free to wear dresses?
Philosophy
2 Min Read
10 Unexpected Benefits of Hardship
Like the Spartans and the Cynics, the Stoics greatly valued self-imposed hardship.
Self Tests
3 min
How do you view masculinity?
Self-Help
4 Min Read
5 Ways to Learn to Love Self-Discipline
Anyone can build better self-discipline given time and motivation.
Sport and Competition
4 Min Read
Start Enjoying Exercise Using the Peak-End Rule
Manifest a peak: Aim for one extraordinary moment every workout.
Memory
4 Min Read
How Accurate Are Your Memories of Your Own Life?
What is the fate of childhood memories? Do they remain permanently in your brain or do they become repressed?
Boundaries
4 Min Read
3 Ways to Uncover Your Own Hidden Red Flags
Recognizing your own red flags is the first step to bettering yourself.
Personality
4 Min Read
A Short Course in What It Takes to Become a Cool Person
Try as you might, you may feel that you’ll never be one of the “cool kids” in your social group.
About & Policies
Get Help
- Find a Therapist
- Find a Treatment Center
- Find a Psychiatrist
- Find a Support Group
- Find Online Therapy
Psychology Today © 2025 Sussex Publishers, LLC
Find a Therapist
- Get Help
- Find a Therapist
- Find a Treatment Center
- Find a Psychiatrist
- Find a Support Group
- Find Online Therapy
- United States
- Austin, TX
- Brooklyn, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
- Portland, OR
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
Get Help
Mental Health
Personality
Personal Growth
Relationships
Family Life
Do I Need Help?
Student Resources
Talk to Someone
- Find a Therapist
- Find a Treatment Center
- Find a Psychiatrist
- Find a Support Group
- Find Online Therapy
Magazine
Whatever your goals, it’s the struggle to get there that’s most rewarding. It’s almost as if life itself is inviting us to embrace difficulty—not as punishment but as a design feature. It’s a robust system for growth.
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
- ADHD Test
- Agreeableness Test
- Anger Management Test
- Assertiveness Test
- Conflict Avoidance Test
- Conscientiousness Test
- Depression Test
- Do I Need Therapy?
- Emotional Intelligence Test
- Emotional Stability Test
- Empathy Test
- Healthy Lifestyle Test
- Introversion / Extroversion Test
- Your Mental Health Today Test
- Neuroticism Test
- Openness to Experience Test
- Relationship Satisfaction Test
- Perfectionism Test
- Romantic Personality Test
- Seasonal Affective Disorder Test
- Self-Esteem Test
- Sexual Openness Test
- Social Anxiety Test