EnGender

EnGender discretely provides free and safe gender-affirming items such as binders, gaffs, packers, TransTape, makeup, and stand-to-pee (STP) devices, as well as wrap-around services that uplift gender euphoria to trans and gender expansive people in our community. Trained and knowledgeable Q center staff members meet one on one with each participant, answer questions Q Center Application, Project Proposal
about products, and ensure that all participants receive best practices and safety care guidance for each item. These points of contact connect participants with partner programs within UW and beyond.

EnGender is well-connected to gender-affirming item vendors like gc2b and Thrive Causemetics which provide us with donations of binders and cosmetics, respectively. Our ongoing partnerships with businesses like Origami Customs, TransTape, and Trans Essentials, ensure wholesale pricing for our other essential gender-affirming and life-saving items. We have established a partnership with the UW speech and hearing clinic to support our vocal coaching services. And, we resource makeup and shapewear tutorials from Seattle-based drag queens. The funds from this grant connect participants to essential gender-affirming items while reinforcing our partnerships with vendors, UW departments, and community teachers.

We currently provide each participant with one binder product or three rolls of TransTape, one packer, one gaff, and/or one makeup item per academic year. Students can receive only one binding item and a combination of other items as necessary. Though the average amount spent per student is $30.00, the maximum allocated costs per student is $40.00, including shipping and tax. The minimum cost per student is $0 when exclusively donated items are requested. Based on the aggregate average of costs over this past year, we estimate the ability to fully serve 100 UW community members using the funds from this grant. Because different bodies have different needs, we have allocated $500 for replenishing inventory, matching skin tones, or ordering items outside of common sizing.

Since Fall 2022, EnGender has supported 53 community members. We have distributed over 60 items across these participants and connected over 50% to wraparound services. Participants have stated how important and transformative EnGender has been for them, and how much they would like to see it grow. One participant stated, "I'm glad the Q Center offers EnGender now. The binder I got here helps with my dysphoria and I feel more like the real me."

In the next 12 months, we will:

• Connect 50 additional UW community members to gender-affirming items
• Connect 25 of these additional 50 community members to wraparound services.
• Procure donations from new vendors through increased outreach staff hours.

And, as self-reported through our feedback form, participants will feel an increase in the following as a result of receiving goods through EnGender:

• Sense of safety on campus;
• Sense of belonging;
• And a sense of wellness.

Sustainable Development

We know that financial insecurity compounds at the intersections of race, gender, legal status, and more, impacting many within our programs. EnGender creates an avenue for access to necessary and sometimes life saving gender-affirming items. Bringing these services and conversation to the forefront with real time access solutions, aids in creating an environment where gender expansive people are welcomed, heard, and celebrated. EnGender addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals as outlined by the United Nations: goal #3, good health and wellbeing; goal #5, gender equality; goal # 10, reduced inequalities; goal #12 responsible production and consumption; goal #16, peace, justice, and strong institutions; goal #17, partnerships for the goals. At its core, EnGender’s mission is to improve the quality of life for gender minority groups by reducing financial barriers to life-saving gender-affirming care items. We utilize our network of partnerships with vendors that provide sustainably sourced items. Better wellness outcomes lead to better academic, social, and psychological outcomes for program participants, thus reducing inequalities and promoting gender justice.

The Q Center recognizes the structural barriers to safe self-expression on the UW Campus - from limited restroom facilities to being misgendered or dead-named in classes and beyond. This program creates a harm reduction pathway of immediate support for community members, focused on transparency and accountability, while we work to address the systemic barriers that remain.