"Everything fell into place," said Jay Rials, a sophomore studying biochemistry. "As I've gotten older, I've kind of figured out where I feel like I've meant to be."
Rials, an ASU student who is transgender, said he grew up trying to find himself and the older he became the more confident he was in his identity.
"I just remember the relief off my shoulders of 'Oh OK, this feels right and I've been making progress,'" Rials said.
Rials' experiences at the University have been shifting with changes in the political climate.
"I used to feel pretty confident knowing that my university had my back," Rials said. "But that security is not there anymore."
Recently, trans students including Rials have said they struggle to find safety and support, from facing changes in ASU's LGBTQ+ resources to fear of discrimination in the classroom.
LGBTQ+ resources
In the past month, the University relocated several LGBTQ+ resources online and removed a trans-specifc webpage. While the University stated many of these resources are still available through other offices, community members and organizations have expressed concern about LGBTQ+ support from ASU.
READ MORE: Breaking: ASU changes LGBTQ+ resources on University webpages
"It's very disheartening to see them remove these resources or these extensions that make students feel welcome," said Callum Guy, a freshman studying psychology. "It does not make me feel safe, and I don't agree with that. It was a shock as well."
Support goes beyond what's online, and Rosemerrie Jentel, a freshman studying fashion, said it can be hard to find a sense of community on campus.
"I know that there are LGBT organizations in Tempe and stuff like that, but I feel like there's nothing out here in downtown Phoenix," Jentel said. "Having something out here in downtown Phoenix would be nice."
The LGBTQ+ resources previously on ASU's official website have been moved to the webpage of ASU's Rainbow Coalition, which serves as an umbrella organization for all LGBTQ+ student groups by providing student-led resources, events and safe spaces for many students.
Student-led groups, like oSTEM, a national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBTQ+ communities in STEM, and Gamma Rho Lambda, a sorority for LGBTQ+ students, have helped foster community and provide additional resources for students. Through hosting events and offering peer support these organizations are making a more inclusive environment on campus.
READ MORE: ASU's LGBTQ+ inclusive sorority provides community for people regardless of gender
For trans students at the University, the Rainbow Coalition, student organizations and ASU mental health services provide assurance that support systems still exist around campus.
"I go to (ASU) counseling services, and I'm able to actually have specifically a nonbinary therapist who I see, which I was able to specifically request and actually see someone who understands what it's like to be trans, which I thought was, pretty cool," Jentel said. "I feel like that was a pretty clear example of the school supporting me. "
According to a survey performed by the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law, more than half of transgender students reported poor mental health while they attended higher education programs.
Additionally, a study supported by the National Institute of Mental Health tested rates of depression and anxiety for gender-nonconforming individuals from 71 colleges and universities. The study reported 78% of individuals met the criteria for one or more mental health problems, with nearly 60% screening positive for clinically significant depression, compared to 28% for cisgender students.
Safety on campus
In conjunction with mental health challenges, trans students have also said they face hostility on campus. Guy gave the example interactions he has had with "far-right Christian" demonstrators on the Tempe campus.
"I've had them literally step out of their way and try to incite stuff with me, or other students," Guy said. "It makes me very nervous to prance around on campus, (and) be my silly self and attend my fun classes when there's a lot of reminders that there are people who don't want me succeeding."
Earlier this year, the ASU community wrote a letter to the University regarding concerns about "The Family Under Attack" luncheon due to the keynote speaker having an alleged history of anti-trans statements.
READ MORE: ASU LGBTQ+ community expresses concern regarding 'The Family Under Attack' event
"Arizona State University is committed to fostering a campus environment that values diversity, open dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas," a University spokesperson said in an email before the event. "The university also supports the right to free speech as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Each semester, ASU colleges, schools, units and centers welcome hundreds of speakers representing a wide range of perspectives. The presence of any speaker does not imply university endorsement."
"The political neutrality which the institution tries to uphold does not necessarily value my safety," Jentel said. "I don't feel like the University's going to fight for me."
Treatment in the classroom
Rials said the challenges trans students face can also extend to the classroom. Some fear discrimination from their professors and are concerned about the power professors have over their grades.
"I can avoid another student if I know that they're transphobic, (but) if that's my professor, they're grading my exam," Rials said.
Nearly one-third of trans students nationwide report feeling unfair treatment from teachers, staff and administrators, according to a UCLA report.
"I've had to have some real sit down talks with myself, 'am I genuinely willing to continue my education (at this university),'" Guy said. "Could I continue going if there were further restrictions about my identity?"
More than one-third of trans students have experiences related to bullying, harassment or assault while in higher education, according to the UCLA report.
"I would like to be able to have more faith in the University and their security and the protocols," Guy said. "But currently, I don't."
Students calling for change
Despite these struggles, trans students feel ASU needs to stay true to its charter statement on inclusivity and advocate for change. Many are calling on the institution to take a stronger stance on protecting LGBTQ+ students.
"This is an opportunity for the University to please do something right," Guy said. "Stand up for your students ... Be that big university you want to be and live through that mission statement."
Trans students said they urge their peers to understand they are equals and to respect them as such.
"Why is being trans instantly something that makes me less," Guy said. "I go to the same concerts as you, I sit in the same class as you, I have the same friends as you. Sometimes I just want to say, 'Hey, let me introduce myself.'"
Trans students worry about the uncertainty of the next couple of years, but they are continuing to fight for the University's acknowledgment. They want an institution that values their right to exist and supports students as they learn who they are.
Guy said that though he worries about the uncertainty of trans rights over the next couple years, he will continue to fight for the University's support of LGBTQ+ students as they learn who they are.
"I am proud of the man that I have worked so hard to become," Guy said.
Editor's note: If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.
Trans Lifeline, 877-565-8860
Suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, 866-488-7386
ASU crisis line, 480-921-1006
Edited by Senna James, Sophia Braccio, Tiya Talwar, Alexis Heichman and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at thutche1@asu.edu.
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Tiffany is a freshman studying fashion design in business administration. This is her second semester with The State Press.
