The LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Committee wishes you to use this page as a guide and support for any resources you may need for your wellness as a Queer and/or Trans student at UNC Charlotte. You’ll find here common challenges Queer and Trans students may navigate during college, as well as suggestions for self-care and resources that are specifically geared towards supporting our LGBTQ+ campus community.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and you recognize you need additional support we want you to know Charlotte offers a number of different resources. The Health and Wellbeing Unit at UNC Charlotte can be a great place to get your physical wellness needs, emotional wellness needs, or any other resources that can help you feel you can amplify your well-being through your college career. Below you can read about some of our different departments:
The Center for Integrated Care (CIC) is a one-stop shop for referral and linkage to wellbeing resources both on and off campus.Have financial concerns around getting connected with therapy? Ask us about our GEER funding
The Center for Counseling at Psychological Services (CAPS) provides comprehensive wellness-related programs and services to UNC Charlotte students.
- Multicultural Mental Health & Equity Initiative
This initiative specifically addresses the mental health and wellbeing needs of students of color, endeavors to destigmatize mental health among folx of color, eliminate barriers to access, and provides culturally congruent support/resources. MMHEI staff includes two Latinx and bilingual Spanish clinical therapists to specifically provide mental health support for Latinx students.
The Center for Wellness Promotion uses a public health model and effective prevention and health promotion strategies to help students make informed decisions about their personal health and wellbeing.
University Recreation (UREC) provides fitness support at all shapes, all sizes, all ages, all disability levels, and all fitness levels
The Student Health Center provides primary medical care, disease prevention, health education, wellness promotion, and various specialty services to all registered UNC Charlotte students, regardless of the type of health insurance they carry. You can find out about LGBTQ+ Services by clicking on the link.
One of the most important aspects of personal well-being and mental health maintenance is self-care. Self-care activities are anything that you do to help yourself feel happy, healthy, and balanced, and are unique to each individual person. The benefits of incorporating self-care are strong and can help support you as a student in adjusting to college, managing the stressors of each semester, and thriving during your academic career. Self-care can occur in various areas, through social wellness, physical wellness, spiritual wellness, emotional wellness, financial wellness, occupational wellness, to name a few.
For the Queer and Trans community, healing and self-care often occur in community, so we also encourage you to connect to the community resource page here on this website. Here we’ve compiled a set of resources specific to self-care below. If you are interested in checking out if you are already practicing self-care and wellness in various areas of your life take a look at the checklist here.
- The Trevor Project has a list of resources for self-care in a variety of settings.
- Rotr.org has a practical guide to self-care for the LGBTQ+ community
- SAVE: provides suicide prevention education and resources specific to the LGBTQ+ community.
- Self-care collection at the library offers several self care items. You can contact Olivia opatter2@uncc.edu if you know of any queer-specific self-care books to add to the collection
- The Queer & Transgender Resilience Workbook is a workbook that provides skills for navigating sexual identities and gender expressions, including self-compassion, building community, and advocacy.
If you are a student at UNC Charlotte who identifies as LGBTQ+, know that there are specific offices, organizations, and entities that offer resources and support to help you navigate common challenges and thrive here on campus.There is also a growing community of Queer and Trans students, faculty, and staff that are committed to making the campus environment one that celebrates the LGBTQ+ Experience. Please check out below the effort of all of these campus partners. We want to provide a special thanks to the LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Caucus and the Office of Identity Equity and Engagement for their work over the years in expanding these resources on campus.
PRISM is an undergraduate student-based LGBTQ+ org designed to bring students together and engage with the community. contact: prismuncc.@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ Graduate Coalition is a graduate-run student organization that includes community-building and social events. lgbtq.cltgrad@gmail.com
The LGBTQ+ Staff and Faculty Directory is a community of LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff at UNC Charlotte who strive to create a more inclusive campus environment.
The Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement provides a safe space for students with various intersecting identities. Programs include Queer year 1, a group for queer-identified students in their first year, Activate! Which is s semester-long social justice initiative, and one-on-one advising and support.
The LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Caucus is a collective working to achieve social justice through intersectional dialogue, engagement and action. Students, staff, faculty and allies collaborate together through advocacy and support of programming at UNC Charlotte.
Although housing assignments are usually based on biological sex, students can fill out a form to request gender-affirming housing (specific housing assignments based on gender identity). For questions contact Chelsea Ortiz with the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement at cortiz13@uncc.edu.
SASS also provides emergency housing services for students who have been displaced due to natural disasters, fire, or other unforeseen circumstances. The cost of the emergency housing program is 25/night.
Sexuality and Gender Education (SAGE) programming includes workshops and events like the Friendly Peer Training that focus on allyship and supporting LGBTQIA+ students.
Trans at UNC Charlotte This site is run by the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement and has different resources and information for trans students at UNC Charlotte including all-gender restrooms on campus
Know Me Project is ran through the Office of the Registrar and support students, faculty, and staff with identifying the systems in which students can change their names and pronouns at UNC Charlotte, as well as instructions to make any changes.
Queer Year One is a program hosted by the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement here at UNC Charlotte. This program is open to any first-year student, and pre-registration is required.
For us: a QTBIPOC Space by the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement is a studetn-facilitated space centering LGBTQ+ students who also identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and/or multiracial. Students who attend will be able to build community with other students, engage in educational discussions, and create meaningful relationship with peers.
Brandon L Wolfe started his tenure as UNC Charlotte’s Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Equity Officer in 2021. Dr. Wolf oversees the diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and programming on campus.
Office of Civil Rights and Title IX takes active measures to create or restore a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for community members that is free from discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and sexual or interpersonal violence. They do so through education, providing resources, responding to reports, and highlighting a culture of respect.
Student Legal Services can support with legal name changes or getting out of leases, as well as changing gender markers on official documentation
The Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion provides specialized services for students from marginalized groups including LGBTQIA+, veterans, disabled students, etc. Offers counseling, peer support, and more.
Niner Finances has free modules and self-paced courses to help with budgeting, financial management, and other topics relevant to college students. Also offers free one on one coaching.
University Career Center is committed to providing comprehensive, innovative services and resources for diverse populations of students, alumni, and employers that prepare UNC Charlotte graduates for the competitive global market. They offer specific career resources and organizations for LGBTQ+ students. Also check out their professional closet for gender affirming professional attire for interviews, career fairs, networking or every day work.
Do the campus and self-care resources feel like they are not meeting your needs, or do you want additional resources? Thankfully, Charlotte has with many local and national organizations dedicated to supporting the lives of Queer and Trans communities, and issues relevant to LGBTQ+ adults. Check out some of the resources below:
Timeout Youth provides resources, support groups, and programming including an online chat space and Discord for LGBTQ+ youth. Contact: (704) 344-8335
Transcend Charlotte provides counseling services, case management, an online community, and a free support group for trans adults in the Charlotte area. Contact: (704) 980-8509
PFLAG offers free virtual peer support meetings for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.
One Voice Chorus is an LGBTQIA+-affirming chorus in the Charlotte Area
Stonewall Sports at Charlotte is the largest LGBTQ+ sports organization in the Carolina’s with over 2,000 annual sports players each year. We strive to develop a well-connected and diverse community through organized competition and social or fundraising events.
Charlotte Pride Band provides an open, inviting environment for musicians of all ability levels while promoting the value and respect of LGBTQIA+ people in Charlotte metropolitan area through quality musical performances.
RAIN Charlotte is one of the largest HIV nonprofits in the Carolinas and has over 30 years’ experience meeting client needs for access to medical care and medications, emergency assistance – including rent, utilities and food - and other issues which impact health and quality of life. We are known for providing services with integrity and compassion and for quality outcomes in HIV services.
Trans+ GNC Therapists of North Carolina is a peer supervision group of mental healthcare providers who self-identify as Trans, Gender Nonconforming, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, Interses, and Gender Expansive in North Carolina.
Planned Parenthood offers a variety of services including abortion, HIV services, pregnancy testing, and hormone therapy. Some services are available to those without insurance.
Levine Children's Center for Gender Health offers a variety of gender-affirming treatments for youth, including hormones, puberty blockers, legal services, and family support.
Charlotte Trans Health Charlotte Trans Health is a network of over 70 gender-affirming medical, mental health, and allied health providers centered in Charlotte NC. Their website contains a provider directory, as well as numerous resources and educational materials.
FEDUP or the Collective "Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations" is a trans and intersex collective connecting eating disorders with social justice issues
Directory of Trans affirming Health and Legal service providers includes a directory of trans-affirming providers in the South. Providers include dentistry, endocrinology, HIV care, legal resources, Planned Parenthood, primary care, and reproductive health.
Campaign for Southern Equality provides information on how to change your name, as well as general information on your rights as a resident of North Carolina. Does not provide legal or medical advice. Also includes a list of trans-friendly professionals, including doctors and attorneys.
Equality North Carolina is based in Raleigh, and it is North Carolina’s oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Includes regional chapter groups including one for the Charlotte Area.
Transgender Legal and Education Fund provides representation for trans individuals in cases related to employment, healthcare, etc. Also has the Name Change Project, which provides pro bono (free) services to transgender individuals wishing to undergo a legal name change.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project advocates on behalf of low income transgender and gender non-conforming individuals
In North Carolina one can change the gender of their driver’s license by submitting a NC Gender Designation form by one of the following licensed professionals: physician, psychiatrist, physician's assistant, licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, case worker, or social worker
Student Blue Gender Affirming Care Policy provides information on coverage for gender -affirmation procedures for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Note- other plans may differ.
PATH program offers financial assistance to transgender and gender diverse members of the Charlotte metro area for general and gender-affirming health care.
GenderBands provides resources for coverage for HRT and surgery and has access to Fall 2023 funding
Jim Collins Foundation provides options for application for funding coverage for surgery and includes fall 2023 funding
Transmission provides options for funding any transition costs. Cycle of funding at the end of calendar year
Point of Pride provides options to apply for funding towards surgery, electrolysis, HRT, and offers free binders
Black Trans Men Incorporated offers a 1,000 scholarship for individuals 18+ who have already been approved for top surgery
Trans Lifeline provides microgrants or small scholarships for individuals undergoing name changes. Gender affirmation procedures, etc.
Transbucket provides a list of transgender-affirming surgeons as well as an online space for trans individuals to share support and build community
Navigating health Insurance medical policies is a list of gender dysphoria/gender reassignments policies for major health insurance companies. Please note that you must look at your individual policy to determine if transgender care is covered.
Q chat space provides virtual chat groups for teens ages 13-19.
LGBTQ forum provides a chat space for LGBTQ adults
7-cups offers free 1 on 1 chat services and support for LGBTQ+ individuals
In the 1980, there were roughly 200 Lesbian Bars in the United States. Today, there are fewer than 30. The Lesbian Bar Project celebrates, supports, and amplifies the remaining Lesbian bars and its prioritization of creating space for people of marginalized genders including women (regardless if they are cis or trans), non-binary folks, and trans men.
Charlotte Pride Interfaith Directory includes a list of LGBTQ-affirming places of worship.
First Christian Church is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, and expresses inclusivity and LGBTQ acceptance in their mission statement.
Havurat Tikvah is a member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation that strives to be welcoming to all. Reconstructionist Judaism emphasizes social justice and activism projects and encourages becoming “active participants in the building of a Jewish future.”
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ is part of the United Church of Christ, and seeks to celebrate the “diverse and inclusive household of God.” States in their mission statement that they are welcoming to LGBTQ individuals.
Mandragora Magika provides directory listings for Wiccan groups (covens) in the Charlotte area. Some require an application to join.
Sardis Baptist Church is a Baptist church that describes itself as “spiritually progressive” where “theological diversity is valued and people are welcomed as they are.”
St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a Eucharist-centered Episcopal church that describes itself as a “lively, energetic, and welcoming congregation.” St. Peter’s focuses on several different ongoing social justice initiative including LGBTQ+ equality.
Temple Kol Tikvah of Lake Norman is part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and Union for Reform Judaism. According to their website, Temple Kol Tikvah actively works to be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community and engages in ongoing social justice initiatives.
Mecca Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand Progressive Islam through education and research.
Watershed is a nondenominational Christian church that mentions fighting against oppression and striving for justice as part of their mission statement. Includes community within the congregation called Kindred that is comprised of LGBTQ individuals.
Tips for Parents of LGBT Kids is four-minute video for parents of LGBT children that dictates steps to take when parents learn that their child is part of the LGBT community.
Family Acceptance Project is a website for LGBTQ+ Youth and Family to find resources to decrease mental health risks and promote well-being
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays or PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
Recursos para familia is a spanish resource guide for parents, families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) offers information and support to help navigate the process of accepting your gay or transgender child, family member, or friend. There are Spanish-language PFLAGs all over the United States, in Mexico, and Latin America.