Gender Expression Fund??????

[badgeronthedrums]

So, in the course of doing some research in advance of offspring going to Uni, I discovered that at least one Cambridge College, Trinity Hall, offers its students a Gender Expression Fund.

"The Gender Expression Fund reimburses transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary students in the JCR for items to help people feel comfortable with their gender expression and to alleviate feelings of gender dysphoria."

FFS.

And that someone has done an FOI request on this. I do not think they answered correctly but never mind. Will link to this in comments because...

...he has also done 76 other requests to colleges and so is doing excellent work here. I haven't had time to go through them all but do dig in:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/info_request_batch/3553

The really fun bit? It's my old college. They will be getting a letter.

And reaffirming it with an annual upgrade!

@FlirtsWithRhinos Genius.

Actually, sod gender identity. I'm just going to identify as a Mac user, which does have some considerable financial disadvantages attached.

Yep, just looked at my old college website, and they too have a GEF. And a plainly male they/them is willing to help people negotiate the minefield of changing names and pronouns.
I do a decent annual donation, I'm going to contact the college to check whether the Fund is funded by alumni or not.

What's wrong with a rolled up pair of socks?? I ask you, kids today...

I had a think about this yesterday. So what most of these funds are paying for is:
a) Items to make women look more like men (packers, binders, etc)
b) Make up and beauty products for men that WOMEN JUST HAVE TO PAY FOR AND BE DONE WITH IT
c) fake boobs.
And then there is the whole thing that binders stop women exercising or even breathing properly.
Have sent a short enquiring email to my college asking what the fund pays for and what other funds the JCR has. Will report back.

OP — welcome to the crazy world of university education…. I became aware of GES when my DC started at another college last year. I think you will find every Oxbridge college, and probably all universities, have similar funds. And the students seem to think it is just fine, kind, expected, etc. The youth are brainwashed! I agree with PPs who query why there is a fund just for trans students and not for all students who wish to “express their gender”. Those who write to their colleges should ask the question and report back. (I can’t write to DC’s college unless I do so anonymously as I don’t want to embarrass DC — hopelessly ideologically “captured” though (as far as I know) still “cis”.

(I shouldn’t have used the term “hopelessly” re DC. I always have hope…! And hope most of today’s youth will regain critical thinking skills as they continue to mature, while also retaining sensitivity and respect for equity and justice, etc)

Grr its sooooo sexist and stereotyping. How can they not see it?????

Better write to my old college I guess. Not sure if it's gone mixed now but in the 70s it was all-women and so few of us (stdents or staff) wore makeup that I was once laughed at for wearing lip gloss😅

Yep, emailed mine this morning to inquire whether alumni donations fund this.
Sure, take my money to provide young women with binders and packers, said no feminist ever.
🙄

Do report back too!

Seems like a thing. Found one on my old college's website too. Pah.

https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2020/02/13/what-is-the-gender-expression-fund-and-why-every-college-should-have-one-131833

Might ask DD (terf) to ask about her's at uni. She would definitely be up for testing the system....

Re (b), surely it would be more affirming to make them pay for their own makeup, like women do. Giving them a special fund for it makes it seem as if they aren't real women - terribly transphobic.

I’m a T Hall Alum as well, and I read about this recently, probably in the last week or so.

I’ve not been on their website. I wonder if it was be mentioned in a newsletter or something they sent to me as I can’t find it in my emails or on Twitter/X.

The college does not have a good record in certain areas.

be
(too late to edit the post)

All the more reason for everyone else to call them Tit Hall (sorry)…

I’m pretty sure my College isn’t funding any such nonsense - I think TERFery is afoot, because they don’t accept premise “woman = anyone who says he is” either…

@NitroNine As someone with a DD cup size, that name was not helpful when i was there. But there was no fund to get sexists to STFU.

Which college isn't funding it?

And yes, given their record you'd think there were more urgent things for the women's officer to be concentrating on

Well I have had half an answer from the JCR:

"In response to your request for information, the Gender Expression Fund is used for gender affirming items such as binders and makeup.

In terms of other funds run by the JCR committee - we have a prescription scheme being trialled this year to support students with either recurring or one off prescriptions, a Gown donation scheme for lower income students and a Period Product scheme in order to have these available around college.

It is worth noting that the majority of financial support for students is run through the college itself, which someone else will respond to you about."

Will update when I hear from the college...

That was exactly my response. I’ve never quite been able to justify the money for the pair of Dollys I covet, so maybe this is the answer? It would help with my Chanel makeup habit too…

https://eu.christianlouboutin.com/uk_en/dolly-pump-black-3221279bk01.html

Neuro diverse students, or students with learning disabilities like dyslexia, are really struggling to obtain diagnoses on the basic that funding for these essential areas of support has been cut back everywhere. Without those diagnoses, they struggle more and suffer poorer educational outcomes and poorer mental health.

Of course, when funding is cut those with disabilities are as ever the first people to suffer. Where is the effort to ensure their 'inclusion?' Where is their support? Where is the affirmation and safe, welcoming environment for them?

Tumbleweed.

Every time I start to think I am unshockable, they prove me wrong.

And the students seem to think it is just fine, kind, expected, etc. The youth are brainwashed!

And the ones who aren't are keeping schtum in case they get jumped on. There are quite a few of those.

So if makeup is gender affirming, does that mean that 'cis' women can apply for makeup from the fund too? And if not why not?

On Another Forum that some of us here were on a while back, there was a meme, based on some US lunacy, of "Free Weed For Blacks". "Free Lippy for Women" seems much in the same category! 😄

Notice they avoided saying who the period products were for.