LGBTQIA+ support and resources
Gender Neutral Restrooms on Campus
There are gender neutral restrooms in most buildings on campus. The map below details the exact locations of gender neutral restrooms across campus. Click the PDF link above the map to access an enlarged version.
Local Community & Support Groups
Most groups below meet in the Tacoma-Pierce County area, some meet in the greater Puget Sound area
- Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound (DAPS)DAPS offers 8 groups and activities 5-6 times a week. Links for virtual events are not published online for safety reasons. Request Zoom links via email.
- Northwest Two-Spirit Society"This group is open to those who identify as Two-Spirit and our valued Allies. Two-Spirit are those who are Aboriginal/First Nation/Native American/ American Indian/Alaskan Native, Metis, Inuit and Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/ Transgender." The group "provides cultural and ceremonial support to two spirit people, especially young people and their families."
NOTE: This group is for Native Peoples - Oasis Youth Center“Oasis Youth Center is the only drop-in and support center dedicated to the needs of LGBTQ youth ages 11-24 in Pierce County. Oasis is committed to creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ youth to be proud of who they are with the encouragement they need to become healthy, productive and fully participating members of the community.”
- PFLAG TacomaPFLAG (Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Meets at the Rainbow Center, messages taken at (253) 383-2318
- Seattle Aces and ArosThis group is for people who identify as asexual (ace), aromantic (aro), gray-romantic, gray-ace, demisexual, demiromantic, and all the different other ways people can be aro or ace.
- Human Rights Commission of Tacoma747 Market Street, Rm 836, Tacoma. Phone (253) 591-5151 (phone # is for investigative section)
- Tacoma Older LGBTA non-profit aimed at "advocating for; serving, supporting, and working with older LGBT adults in Tacoma, Pierce County and surrounding areas."
- Rainbow CenterThe Rainbow Center's mission is to "eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by providing education, resources, information and opportunities for empowerment to individuals and organization with the south Puget Sound area." Among other activities, the Center sponsors the Tacoma Pride Festival.
More at the Rainbow Center
- Tacoma Test ThursdaysFree rapid HIV testing, every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Puget Sound Queer FamiliesThis group is for Queer families in the Puget Sound area that are looking to engage in an active group of outings and community providing support and resources.
- Tacoma TmenTacoma Tmen is a peer-facilitated discussion group for people who were assigned female at birth, who do not identify as female, including those who identify as male, FtM, trans men, transmasculine, trans*, genderqueer, genderfluid, non-binary, agender, or are questioning their gender identity. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
State-wide Resources
- Equal Rights Washington(ERW) is a "statewide political advocacy organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community of Washington State...ERW is currently advocating in the areas of healthcare, education, employment, housing and immigration."
- Human Rights Campaign WashingtonThe "largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community."
- Washington State Chapter of the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)"GLSEN Washington State seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any and all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools."
- Transgender Equality - WA StateThis webpage provides up-to-date information on legally changing your name and gender marker in Washington state.
- Lavender Rights Project"Lavender Rights Project elevates the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services. We utilize the law as an organizing principle to affirm our civil rights and self-determination." Services provided include various legal help programs, housing rights, and gender-based violence prevention.
- QLaw Association of Washington“QLaw Association is an association of LGBTQ+ legal professionals and their friends.”
Local LGBTQIA-Competent Medical Care
What is LGBTQIA-competent medical care?
LGBTQIA+-competent, or queer-competent, medical care is a term that signifies that doctors, nurses, and other medical providers understand the nuances of queer identities and the specific medical needs that may arise for people who hold these identities. Gender-affirming care is a specific example of such care, as trans patients often need access to hormone replacement therapy. Queer-competent medical providers should know LGBTQIA-specific terminology, use patients' correct pronouns, and understand specific health issues that affect queer people at higher rates.
Note: All of the medical practices listed below follow the informed consent model. Informed consent is a model that allows patients to learn about the effects, side-effects, and possible complications of certain medications and medical procedures and allows them to make their own decisions. This model is in opposition to the older-school model that required a mental health diagnosis by a licensed professional, which pathologized gender diversity.
- Cedar River ClinicsOffer wellness services such as STI testing and treatment, HIV testing, safer sex education, and transgender health services such as hormone therapy and surgical referrals.
- Community Health Care CentersCommunity Health Care Centers “offer hormone therapy, referrals to surgical affirmation and basic post-op care. [They also] offer all primary care services including STI/HIV testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PEP) and care for people living with HIV through [the] Ryan White Program.”
Use the "Services" bar on the left side of the screen to navigate to relevant services. - Planned Parenthood Center of TacomaPlanned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood will see patients with or without insurance.
Use the "Services Offered" bar on the right side of the screen to navigate to relevant services. - PCAF (Pierce County AIDS Foundation)PCAF offers "medical case management and client care coordination for people living with HIV in the South Sound region. Our case managers work with clients to increase access to medical care, prescription medications, and health insurance. While these are our priorities, staff recognize that other factors also play a role in accessing resources, and because of this we offer referrals to many resources and programs outside of medical needs.”
- VA Puget Sound Health Care SystemThe LGBTQ+ Veteran care department of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System promotes "the health, welfare, and dignity of Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) or a related identity." There is a dedicated LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator whose contact information is on the page linked above.
- Mary Bridge Children's Gender Health Clinic“The Mary Bridge Children’s Gender Health Clinic accepts new patients up to age 17 ½ and younger and will provide gender-affirming care for people up to age 18 or completion of high school.”
At Tacoma Community College
- TCC's Safe Zone TrainingMore than 100 TCC faculty and staff have completed Safe Zone training, and have committed themselves to being Allies & Advocates. All library faculty, and many staff have completed Safe Zone training. Look for the Safe Zone Sticker!
- TCC Counseling ServicesTCC Counseling Center. All counselors are Safe Zone members. 253-566-5122
- LGBTQ+ Affinity Group (for faculty and staff)Mission: To create and further a stronger community for LGBTQ staff and faculty at TCC. Contact Stuart Drake for more information.
TCC's Rainbow Action Committee (RAC). This is a committee for TCC faculty and staff who are LGBTQIA+ or allies. Please contact Stuart Drake or Andrew Brottlund if you are interested in serving.
Changing your name at TCC:
- Students: Change of Personal DataVisit this link to update your legal name, preferred name, and/or gender identity.
- Faculty/Staff: Change of Personal DataVisit this link to update your legal name, preferred name, and/or gender identity.
Miscellaneous support
For national level information, click here to access the websites tab, which includes many national-level organizations.
- Refuge RestroomsRefuge Restrooms is a "web application that seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. Users can search for restrooms by proximity to a search location, add new restroom listings, as well as comment and rate existing listings.”
- Everywhere is QueerA global map of queer-owned businesses and job boards. If you know of a queer-owned business not on the map, you can submit it!
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