Applications are now open for the Union’s new gender expression fund. It aims to support students’ access to non-medical gender-affirming products by removing any financial barriers.
Current VP Communities, Zoë Crosher, successfully secured £1,000 from the Vice Chancellor’s Fund this year to establish the project.
Students can apply for up to £50 at a time and anyone who is a Stirling student can be eligible for the gender expression fund.
Suggested gender affirming products include binders, packers, breast forms, clothes and make-up. The Union has collated safety information and relevant brands as a starting point for anyone interested in applying for the fund.
It comes as the Sandyford gender identity clinic in Glasgow stopped prescribing puberty blockers to under-18s last month in the wake of the Cass review.
Crosher announced the fund in an Instagram post, saying they were “so incredibly proud” that applications were open.
“This fund means a lot to me, as it’s something I know would’ve made a huge difference to my time at University, so hopefully other LGBTQ+ students will be able to benefit from it,” they said.
The application process involves a short form which will be reviewed by Union staff. If approved, students have the option to buy their products and then be reimbursed, or to have the Union purchase it for them.
More information on the fund and how to apply can be found on the Union website.
Feature image credit: Stirling Alumni
Film, media and journalism student. I like writing about my inability to eat gluten.
