University of Liverpool launches new Gender Expression Fund to support LBGTQ+ students

The University of Liverpool’s student union has announced a brand new scheme in support of the LGBTQ+ community, which aims to relieve the financial pressures associated with expressing gender identity as a transgender, non-binary or gender diverse students.

Being a student is hard on everyone, especially financially.

Walking around with light pockets and heavy feelings can get anyone down, especially when dealing with gender dysphoria.

Binders, gender-affirming clothes and makeup can come to an enormous yet necessary cost for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people.

The Liverpool Guild of Students has this in mind and has now opened up a Gender Expression Fund for students at the University of Liverpool.

The fund will award up to £50 per application to help remove the financial barriers which can stand in the way of gender expression. Anyone who experiences dysphoria, even if they are yet to figure out their identity, is welcome to access this fund.

Liverpool follows in the footsteps of other universities such as Falmouth, Bristol and Manchester who also have similar successful funds for gender diverse students.

The Guild’s vice president, Holly Thompson, shared her enthusiasm for the scheme during the announcement at the weekend.

“So glad I can finally launch this – thank you to all Guild staff who have helped me with this”.

This initiative reflects the vice president’s commitment to student welfare, adding to her previous work in co-organising the city’s Reclaim the Night March in November. To have a student making proactive changes on campus is very encouraging, especially for those whose voices aren’t as amplified.

The Guild has emphasised the fund’s aims to provide “a safe space for students to express their gender identity without financial or societal implications”.

How does the fund work?

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It operates on a first come first serve basis and the application form can be accessed here.

Once the application has been processed by the panel, they will get back to you with a timeline of funds.

To be eligible, you must be a student at the University of Liverpool, not have used the fund excessively before (unless reasonably justified) and you must not use the fund towards medical costs or fundraisers.

The Guild released a guidance document which offers possible retailers, support lines, and wider support groups in Liverpool such as Sahir House and the LGBT foundation.

For more information, access The Guild of Students’ website here.

This initiative marks another meaningful step towards fostering inclusivity and support for the diverse community here on the University of Liverpool campus.

Featured image via Instagram @liverpoolguild