Trans Resources

Trans and Nonbinary Resources and Support

Berklee seeks to be a safe and inclusive campus community for all students, faculty, and staff. In consideration of academic success and wellbeing, and our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we ask that you take the time to acknowledge the diversity that exists within our community and, in particular, provide a safe and supportive space for transgender and gender-nonconforming community members. To ensure that our trans community members are safe and supported, we have developed several resources, and we encourage you to become familiar with this information. In addition, we will sponsor several dialogues and trainings for those of you who want to learn more about the trans community.

Below, you will find information and resources for transgender, genderqueer, or gender-nonconforming students, faculty, staff, and guests. This includes information on name changes and information about health insurance, inclusive housing options, inclusive restrooms, and additional resources at Berklee and on the internet.

Learn about the process to change one's name, gender marker, or pronoun on the Name Change Policy, Gender Identity, and Personal Pronouns page.

Students, faculty, and staff can use the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition guide(Opens in a new window) to work through the legal name change process. This guide also includes information on how to update your gender marker on legal documentation.

Students who wish to change their legal names should contact the Office of the Registrar with legal documentation, such as an updated driver's license or birth certificate.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

The following guidelines were adapted from suggested practices offered by the Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER)(Opens in a new window), GLSEN's Transgender Model District Policy(Opens in a new window), the California State School Board Association's policy brief titled Providing a Safe, Nondiscriminatory School Environment for Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students(Opens in a new window), and Supporting Gender-Variant Students in the Classroom by Maureen McMullen.

Names and pronouns: Students, faculty, and staff should be allowed to be addressed by the name and the pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity without being required to obtain a court-ordered name or gender change, or to change their official records. A school employee’s intentional and persistent refusal to respect a student’s gender identity will likely be considered discriminatory.
- Tip for faculty: On the first day of class, have students introduce themselves with the name they would like to be called instead of reading off of a roster. This gives students a chance to share the name they are most comfortable with upfront.
Set the tone: Include a sample statement and link to Berklee’s Equity and Title IX Policies and Processes on your syllabus so students know that they can report concerns and that you value this in our community. Create guidelines, and communicate them on the first day of class, requesting that students practice civility and inclusion of all perspectives, which includes students’ names and correct pronouns. Request that students contact you if they have names that differ from the roster: "If you have a name that differs from the one that appears on the roster, please inform me before the second class period so that I can use your correct name and pronouns."
Access to sex-segregated facilities: Although schools may maintain separate restrooms or other facilities for males and females, allow everyone to use the facility that corresponds to their gender identity. Where available, a gender-neutral restroom or facility may be offered to any Berklee community member who desires increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason. No one who is entitled to use a facility consistent with their gender identity can be required to use an alternative arrangement. Any alternative arrangement should be used only at the request of the individual and, if applicable, in a manner that keeps the individual's gender identity confidential (e.g., providing the individual with a single-user facility when everyone else is using a group facility).
Privacy for trans students, faculty, and staff: Students, faculty, and staff must be able to decide when, with whom, and how much highly personal information they want to share about themselves. This includes the right to control dissemination of highly personal and private information, such as one’s gender identity, trans status, or sexual orientation.
Gender-based activities: Evaluate gender-based activities, rules, policies, and practices—including classroom activities—and maintain only those that serve an important educational purpose. Allow everyone to participate in any such activity or conform to any such rule, policy, or practice consistent with their gender identity.
Model desired behavior, and adapt more inclusive language: Try to incorporate new, more inclusive phrases into your vocabulary. Replace gendered language (e.g., "ladies and gentlemen") with gender-inclusive language (e.g., "people" or "students"). Avoid titles such as "Mr.," "Mrs.," and "Ms." Instead of calling the class "guys" or "dudes," use "folks," "everyone," "you all," or "you." Modify or qualify any statements on gender. For example, instead of saying "Men/Boys always..." or "Women/Girls always...," say something like "Routinely male-identified people..." or "Historically female-presenting people…" and "Gender nonconforming people can change this dynamic by…"
Reporting: Report instances of harassment, discrimination, or bullying on the basis of a student’s gender identity or expression to equity@berklee.edu.

Navigating Gender Affirming Care

Inclusive Restrooms

Berklee College of Music
All-Gender and Single-Use Designated Restrooms

Building	Floor	Location	Room Name
1096 Boylston Street	2	In level 2 stairwell	All-gender restroom
1108 Boylston Street	A	Level A elevator lobby	All-gender restroom
1140 Boylston Street	1	By room 1-Z	All-gender restroom
1140 Boylston Street	1	By room 1-Z	All-gender restroom
135 Massachusetts Avenue	3	Level 3 elevator lobby	All-gender restroom
150 Massachusetts Avenue	A	By room A75	All-gender restroom
150 Massachusetts Avenue	B	Student commuter lounge	All-gender restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	2	By room 204B	All-gender restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	2	By room 204B	All-gender restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	B	By room B24	All-gender restroom
160 Massachusetts Avenue	4	By room 420 (fitness room)	All-gender restroom
160 Massachusetts Avenue	4	By room 420 (fitness room)	All-gender restroom
160 Massachusetts Avenue	B	By room B258	All-gender restroom
160 Massachusetts Avenue	B	By room B212	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	2	By room 242	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	2	By room 242	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	3	By room 331	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	3	In Alumni Affairs suite 321	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	3	In Physical Plant suite 301	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	4	In EPD suite	All-gender restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	4	In EPD suite	All-gender restroom
171 Massachusetts Avenue	1	By practice room X-13	All-gender restroom
171 Massachusetts Avenue	1	By practice room X-23	All-gender restroom
171 Massachusetts Avenue	B	By practice room D-19	All-gender restroom
22 Fenway	1	By room 104	All-gender restroom
22 Fenway	2	By room 204	All-gender restroom
22 Fenway	3	By room 307	All-gender restroom
22 Fenway	4	By room 407	All-gender restroom
270 Haviland Street	1	Inside room 103	All-gender restroom
270 Haviland Street	1	By student lounge	All-gender restroom
270 Haviland Street	B	By fitness room	All-gender restroom
7 Haviland Street	1	Main lobby	All-gender restroom
7 Haviland Street	2	By room 224	All-gender restroom
7 Haviland Street	3	Main lobby	All-gender restroom
939 Boylston Street	1	Main lobby	All-gender restroom
939 Boylston Street	2	By Student Advising and Success front desk	All-gender restroom
939 Boylston Street	2	By Student Advising and Success front desk	All-gender restroom
939 Boylston Street	2	By Student Advising and Success front desk	All-gender restroom
98 Hemenway Street	B	By level B practice rooms	All-gender restroom
1108 Boylston Street	2	By room 221	Single-use female restroom
1108 Boylston Street	3	By room 321	Single-use female restroom
1108 Boylston Street	A	By practice room A17	Single-use female restroom
1140 Boylston Street	2	By room 2N	Single-use female restroom
1140 Boylston Street	3	By room 3E	Single-use female restroom
1140 Boylston Street	3	By room 3Y	Single-use female restroom
1140 Boylston Street	4	By room 4F	Single-use female restroom
1140 Boylston Street	5	By room 5E2	Single-use female restroom
1140 Boylston Street	5	By room 5W	Single-use female restroom
136 Massachusetts Avenue	B	Green room	Single-use female restroom
150 Massachusetts Avenue	3	Housing Office	Single-use female restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	3	Off the elevator on the right	Single-use female restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	4	By room 410	Single-use female restroom
160 Massachusetts Avenue	3M	By room 303M (Aramark office)	Single-use female restroom
161 Massachusetts Avenue	4	By room 443	Single-use female restroom
7 Haviland Street	1	By room 130	Single-use female restroom
7 Haviland Street	2	By room 222	Single-use female restroom
7 Haviland Street	3	By room 313	Single-use female restroom
939 Boylston Street	2	By room 207	Single-use female restroom
1108 Boylston Street	2	By room 221	Single-use male restroom
1108 Boylston Street	3	By room 321	Single-use male restroom
1108 Boylston Street	A	By practice room A17	Single-use male restroom
130 Massachusetts Avenue	1	Via level 1 stairwell	Single-use male restroom
136 Massachusetts Avenue	2	Inside the Willan Davis Conference Room, room 201	Single-use male restroom
136 Massachusetts Avenue	B	Green room	Single-use male restroom
150 Massachusetts Avenue	3	Housing Office	Single-use male restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	3	Off the elevator on the right	Single-use male restroom
155 Massachusetts Avenue	4	By room 410	Single-use male restroom
160 Massachusetts Avenue	3M	By room 303M (Aramark office)	Single-use male restroom
7 Haviland Street	1	By room 130	Single-use male restroom
7 Haviland Street	2	By room 222	Single-use male restroom
7 Haviland Street	3	By room 306	Single-use male restroom
939 Boylston Street	2	By room 207	Single-use male restroom

Boston Conservatory at Berklee
All-Gender and Single-Use Designated Restrooms

Building	Floor	Location	Room Name
1112 Boylston Street	2	By room 2B	All-gender restroom
1112 Boylston Street	2	By room 2B	All-gender restroom
1112 Boylston Street	3	By room 3G	All-gender restroom
1112 Boylston Street	3	By room 3G	All-gender restroom
132 Ipswich Street	2	By room 217	All-gender restroom
24 Fenway	A	Inside Cafe 24	All-gender restroom
26 Fenway	A	Main lobby	All-gender restroom
31 Hemenway Street	1	Inside dress room	All-gender restroom
32 Fenway	A	By room 004	All-gender restroom
54 Fenway	A	By room 004	All-gender restroom
8 Fenway	1	Inside room 111	All-gender restroom
1161 Boylston Street	A	By kitchenette	Single-use female restroom
132 Ipswich Street	1	By room 111	Single-use female restroom
132 Ipswich Street	2	By room 217	Single-use female restroom
132 Ipswich Street	3	By room 316	Single-use female restroom
1161 Boylston Street	A	By kitchenette	Single-use male restroom
132 Ipswich Street	1	By room 111	Single-use male restroom
132 Ipswich Street	2	By room 217	Single-use male restroom
132 Ipswich Street	3	By room 316	Single-use male restroom

Berklee's Campus in Valencia, Spain
All-Gender and Single-Use Designated Restrooms

Building	Floor	Location	Room Name
Palau de les Arts	B	B02	All-gender restroom
Palau de les Arts	B	B04	All-gender restroom
Palau de les Arts	B	B07	All-gender restroom
Palau de les Arts	B	B09	All-gender restroom
Palau de les Arts	B	B13	All-gender restroom

Name Change Policy

Health Insurance Info

Berklee's student health insurance plan offers medical coverage for trans individuals. For more information, please review Blue Cross Blue Shield's Transgender Services Medical Policy*:

189 Transgender Services.pdf (464.56 KB)

*Please note that Berklee's student health insurance is considered a "Commercial PPO" plan.

Berklee's health insurance plan for faculty and staff health also offers medical coverage for trans individuals. For more information, please review Tufts's guidelines for coverage(Opens in a new window).

You may also reference this spreadsheet for information on gender affirming coverage for most Massachusetts insurance plans.

Inclusive Housing

Housing for students at Berklee is done on the basis of gender identity, not sex assigned at birth. A more gender-inclusive housing policy is currently being drafted and will be available soon. If you have specific questions about your future or current living arrangements on campus, please visit the Housing and Residential Life website or contact the housing office directly at housing@berklee.edu.

Policies and Resources

Local Support Resources

Several local support groups exist to meet the needs of the gender diverse population in Boston. BATS (Boston Area Transgender Support) (Opens in a new window)is an all ages and all genders group that meets in Cambridge. COMPASS(Opens in a new window) is a trans-masculine group that meets in Boston. BAGLY (Boston Area GLBTQ Youth)(Opens in a new window) has gender support programs for individuals through age 18. Fenway Health offers several gender identity specific groups: Transgender Peer Support Group, Support for Non-Trans Partners of Trans People, and support for Parents of Trans Individuals.(Opens in a new window)
For crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people ages 13–24: The Trevor Project(Opens in a new window)
If you've been the victim of harassment, discrimination, or bullying on the basis of your gender, please file an equity report.
Review Berklee's Equity and Title IX Policies and Processes, which includes protections on the basis of gender expression/identity and transgender status.
If you would like support, we encourage you to seek our counseling services for students, faculty, and staff.
Trans individuals experiencing a crisis may choose to call the Trans Lifeline(Opens in a new window) at 867-565-8860.
The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth offers a list of local resources(Opens in a new window).
A College Guide for LGBTQ+ Students(Opens in a new window) is available.
LGBTQ+ Scholarships for College Students(Opens in a new window) is another potential resource.
If you're a Massachusetts resident interested in information on how to change your name and gender marker on various forms of legal identification, check out this quick guide(Opens in a new window) from Fenway Health.
Other great web resources include the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition(Opens in a new window) and TransPulse Transgender Resources(Opens in a new window).
Read this article(Opens in a new window) for an explanation of the asterisk in trans.

Diversity and Inclusion