Gender affirmation support

As a transgender person, you may feel that your gender identity does not (fully) correspond to the sex that you were assigned at birth and the gender norms that are associated with that sex. When you, as a trans person, consciously make changes to feel more affirmed in your gender identity, this process is called 'transitioning' or, more accurately, 'gender affirmation'.

It is common for gender affirmation to start with the exploration of one's gender identity. Gender affirmation can take on different forms: in the legal, medical and social sense:

• Legal gender affirmation refers to administrative changes of personal data on identity documents (passport, driver's licence, etc.).
• Social gender affirmation refers to changes a person makes in order to live a social life in their desired gender role and perceived gender identity.
• Medical gender affirmation involves physical changes that are considered necessary to confirm gender identity.

Gender affirmation is not a universal process, it may consist of one or more steps. Some people go through a lifelong process of searching and adjusting, while others take a more clear-cut route. It is a very personal and unique process, which often does not follow a linear course.

​Read more information about gender affirmation

Students can contact Student Affairs & Services for individual counselling if they have doubts about their identity or are experiencing other personal difficulties.

You can also check out Trangender Info Point (Dutch website) for all your questions about gender affirmation.

Your chosen name

Even before the legal change of your first name is completed, you can opt to use a chosen first name on all non-official documents and further communications.
You can submit a request to use a preferred first name via the helpdesk of the Education Administration. 

Your chosen name will be visible in SisA, the student portal, the Blackboard learning environment and in your UAntwerpen email address.

Please note that your official name will still appear on all official documents issued by SisA, such as certificates, diplomas, etc., as long as it has not been changed in the national register. It is also not yet possible to change your name on your student card. You can, however, send a new photograph of yourself to the helpdesk of the Education Administration. 

In order to avoid confusion, the student administration of your faculty will also be informed.

How to officially change your name or legal gender?

You must first have your name changed in the National Register if you want to officially change your name or gender in your personal data in SisA. You can send the necessary documents via the helpdesk once your name has been changed in the national register. These inlcude a new identity card and a document from the municipality showing old and new data. This will then be updated in SisA.

You will need to change your name and gender separately if you are also registered in the HR database (e.g. as a postgraduate student). See the section below for the procedure for staff.

Picking a first name or initials that suit you?

You can opt to use a chosen first name and initials in all unofficial documents and communications, even if this is not (yet) your legal first name. It will then be registered as your first name and used in all correspondence: email address, website, informal correspondence, etc. There is always the possibility to choose the pronoun you want to use.

For official correspondence (e.g. a contract), the legal name is used.
You can get in touch with your file manager at HR about this. See Pintra for contact details.

Have you changed your official name or gender?

If your official name or gender has changed, please update your personal information (Peoplesoft) as soon as possible.
Please contact your file manager at HR. Contact details can be found on Pintra.

Coming out in higher education is challenging to say the least. However, it is important for you to be yourself, as this impacts your satisfaction with your studies, your motivation and your study-related stress.

You decide what you want to reveal and to whom you want to reveal it; you are not obliged to explain yourself to anyone. On the other hand, we hope that you will feel comfortable enough to share with your fellow students and with those responsible within the courses, so that you can ask for the necessary support that you need to feel comfortable at university. UAntwerpen has a lot of support available. We want to be a warm nest for you.

This important change in your life will require some adjustment for your environment. Together you can avoid misunderstandings and difficult situations by having an open dialogue about it.

Below are some things to consider during your social transition:

• Know that you can ask fellow students and staff how you prefer to be referred to (chosen name and pronouns).
  
• It may be helpful to refer fellow students and staff to this webpage, which aims to answer the most common questions and provides information on transgender people.
  
• ​You decide what you reveal and to who you reveal things. Remember that each group is different (students, lecturers, mentors, etc.) and that you cannot anticipate a certain group's reactions. You can contact STIPfor personal consultation if you have any doubts about how best to handle this. As a transgender student, you will also be able to ask them questions about combining your medical transition with your studies.

Coming out at work is challenging to say the least. However, it is important for you to be yourself, as this impacts your satisfaction with your job, your motivation and work-related stress.

You decide what you want to reveal and to whom you want to reveal it; you are not obliged to explain yourself to anyone. On the other hand, we hope that you will feel comfortable enough to share with your co-workers and managers, so that you can ask for the necessary support that you need to feel comfortable at university. UAntwerpen has a lot of available support. We want to be a warm nest for you.

This important change in your life will require some adjustment for your environment. Together you can avoid misunderstandings and difficult situations by having an open dialogue about it. 

You may have discussions with your manager about:

• Where and when you want to proceed with any further actions. Try to be as transparent as possible with your manager about the expected timeframe and process of your transition;
• When you are planning to use a chosen name;
• When you plan to make any changes to your personal details;
• How, when and who (you or your manager) will inform co-workers of your transition; 
• Decide beforehand whether you want to answer any questions your colleagues may ask, and/or whether they can ask their manager instead;

You can talk to a confidant if you do not feel comfortable speaking to your manager. This person will give advice on the actions you may take, and how they can assist you in your social transition at work.

In addition to your supervisor, it is quite plausible that your co-workers, your fellow students or frequent work partners may have questions about your personal transition. You are entitled to choose what you reveal and who you reveal information to. 

Below are some things to consider during your social transition:

• Know that you can ask fellow students and staff how you prefer to be referred to (chosen name and pronouns).
• It may be helpful to refer fellow students and staff to this webpage, which aims to answer the most common questions and provides information on transgender people.
• ​You decide what you reveal and to who you reveal things. Remember that each group is different (students, lecturers, mentors, etc.) and that you cannot anticipate a certain group's reactions. 

Read more:

• ​Transgender people at work​

Transgender people have the right to choose when and if they want to disclose their identity to others. Coming out in the workplace is challenging to say the least. However, because of the impact on work satisfaction, motivation and work-related stress, it is important for a transgender person to be themselves and to be supported in doing so.

What can you do to support a transgender person during a coming out?

The first step is to listen. Find out what your employee's needs are during the gender affirmation process. Every transition is different, so there is no fixed guideline with corresponding actions. That is why it is important to remain sufficiently informed about what a transition means. Find out more at What does transition mean | Transgenderinfo (Dutch version).​

The next step is to discuss the course of the transition at work:

• ​Where and when the employee will take which steps;
• When they will disclose their chosen name to co-workers, (students) and other partners;
• How and when to inform co-workers (or students) about their transition. Discuss the role that you, as a manager, can play in this process;
• The extent to which your staff member is willing to answer personal questions from co-workers, (students) or other partners;
• Which toilets/changing rooms they use and communicate as a manager that you will not tolerate discrimination, bullying and transgressive behaviour.
• Discuss whether they will need a temporary adjustment of tasks during the transition and try to agree on a tasks that seem reasonable to both parties;

Pay particular attention to gender-inclusive communication. Change mailboxes, door signs 🔒 and name badges. It is a small effort, but one of great symbolic value.

​Read more about transgender people at work.​

The LGBTQI+ Network is a vibrant network of staff and students, both LGBTQI+ individuals and 'straight allies', who work together to create bottom-up policy, develop and support actions and campaigns, and raise awareness of LGBTQI+ issues. In this way, we aim to make our university an inclusive environment where everyone feels at home. The network met for the first time in April 2019, and meets 2-3 times a year.   

​Learn more about the LGBTQI+ network​

 QueerTrans@UA is a group of queer and trans staff, researchers and students at UAntwerp. QT@UA, meets monthly for a fun social activity or a meeting where they work towards a more inclusive university policy. Everyone is welcome to think and organise! Follow QT@UA on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with their activities.

This forum consists of a network of researchers and staff from various civil society organisations working on sexual and gender diversity. 

Learn more about the LGBTQI+-Forum (Dutch version).

The A* Network is a research network that aims to gather and make visible research and expertise on gender and sexuality at the University of Antwerp.  

If you are a researcher at the University of Antwerp in the field of gender and sexuality, you are welcome to join the network. Interested? Check out their website and get involved.​

​The student club for LGBTQI+ students in Antwerp