Gender Identity Fund | Cronfa Hunaniaeth Rhywedd

 

In May 2023, our Student Senate passed a motion submitted by our then LGBTQ+ Officer, Nodie Caple-Faye, calling: 

1. For the Students’ Union to campaign for the introduction of a Gender Identity fund, funded by the University and administered by the Students’ Union. 

2. For this fund to be designed to support students who wish to obtain the correct size of gender affirming items. 

3. For the Students’ Union to promote the fund, once available, to the study body with particular focus on transgender and non-binary students. 

This has been a project in the works since that motion was passed, and we are now extremely proud to announce the launch of the fund, open to all students in need of gender affirming products. In a time where trans people are facing increasing stigma and challenges across the UK, we hope that this support will lessen the incredible pressure put upon trans students at our university to help them embrace themselves at university and enjoy their experience here. 

"It’s essential that all students feel heard, valued, and supported by the SU and the University themselves, and I am so proud that we can launch this incredible fund, and help everyone who needs it”

- AJ Lumley, LGBTQ+ Officer 

This fund is designed to provide accessibility to shorter term support products, including, but not limited to: packers, binders, tucking underwear and breast forms, in order to help students combat gender dysphoria while they access longer term health services. This is a project which has previously been successfully undertaken by other universities and students’ unions across the UK, and we look forward to widening the support we offer our trans and nonbinary students. 

Students can find out more about the fund and how to apply here.

The accessibility of funding for gender affirming products is a vital aim for us as a union as many students can’t afford or access these items which are key to tackling gender dysphoria and allowing them to feel comfortable in themselves. Students cannot be expected to excel in their studies and enjoy their time at Cardiff University if they aren’t being supported when transitioning or coming to terms with their gender identity. We want to ensure a safe and welcoming community is in place within our union and this is a powerful step in ensuring students feel comfortable talking to us and can embrace who they are at university.  

"As a trans man who came out while studying at Cardiff, I understand how lonely and bewildering it can feel, and I hope that Noah’s hard work can continue to create a self and welcoming environment for our trans students”

- AJ Lumley, LGBTQ+ Officer 

This comes in with a campaign being run by our current LGBTQ+ Officer, AJ Lumley, on the other support students can receive from both ourselves at Cardiff Students’ Union, and at Cardiff University. This includes the ability to get a new student ID for free if you wish to change your photo or name on the ID for gender affirming reasons. No evidence is required for this process and more details can be found at the Cardiff University Trans Policy page. 

 

Ym mis Mai 2023, pasiodd Senedd y Myfyrwyr gynnig a gyflwynwyd gan ein Swyddog LHDTC+ Traws ar y pryd, Nodie Caple-Faye, yn gofyn:

1. I Undeb y Myfyrwyr ymgyrchu dros gyflwyno cronfa Hunaniaeth Rhywedd, a ariennir gan y Brifysgol ac a weinyddir gan Undeb y Myfyrwyr.

2. I'r gronfa hon gael ei chynllunio i gefnogi myfyrwyr sy'n dymuno cael eitemau cadarnhau rhywedd (gender affirming).

3. I Undeb y Myfyrwyr hyrwyddo'r gronfa, unwaith y bydd ar gael, gyda ffocws penodol ar fyfyrwyr trawsryweddol ac anneuaidd.

Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio ar y prosiect hwn ers i’r cynnig hwnnw gael ei basio, ac rydym bellach yn hynod falch o gyhoeddi lansiad y gronfa, sy’n agored i bob myfyriwr sydd angen cynnyrch cadarnhau rhywedd. Mewn cyfnod lle mae pobl traws yn wynebu stigma a heriau cynyddol ledled y DU, rydym yn gobeithio y bydd y cymorth hwn yn lleihau’r pwysau sylweddol a roddir ar fyfyrwyr traws yn ein prifysgol, ac yn eu helpu i garu eu hunain a mwynhau eu profiad yma.

“Mae’n hanfodol bod pob myfyriwr yn teimlo wedi eu clywed, eu gwerthfawrogi, a’u cefnogi gan yr UM a’r Brifysgol, ac rwyf mor falch o lansio’r gronfa anhygoel hon, a helpu pawb sydd ei hangen”

- AJ Lumley, Swyddog LHDTC+

Mae'r gronfa hon wedi'i chynllunio i ddarparu mynediad i gynnyrch cymorth tymor byr, gan gynnwys, ond heb fod yn gyfyngedig i, bacwyr, rhwymwyr, a dillad isaf twcio, er mwyn helpu myfyrwyr i frwydro yn erbyn dysfforia rhywedd wrth iddynt gael mynediad at wasanaethau iechyd mwy hirdymor. Mae prosiectau tebyg wedi cael eu cynnal yn llwyddiannus gan brifysgolion ac undebau myfyrwyr eraill ar draws y DU, ac edrychwn ymlaen at ehangu’r gefnogaeth a gynigiwn i’n myfyrwyr traws ac anneuaidd.

Gall myfyrwyr ddysgu mwy am y gronfa a gwneud cais yma.

Mae hygyrchedd cyllid ar gyfer cynnyrch cadarnhau rhywedd yn bwysig iawn i ni fel undeb, gan na all llawer o fyfyrwyr fforddio neu gael mynediad at eitemau sy’n allweddol wrth fynd i’r afael â dysfforia rhywedd ac sy’n eu galluogi i deimlo’n gyfforddus ynddynt eu hunain. Ni ellir disgwyl i fyfyrwyr ragori yn eu hastudiaethau a mwynhau eu hamser ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd os nad ydynt yn cael eu cefnogi wrth drawsnewid neu ddod i delerau â'u hunaniaeth rhywedd. Rydym eisiau sicrhau bod cymuned ddiogel a chroesawgar o fewn ein hundeb ac mae hwn yn gam pwerus wrth sicrhau bod myfyrwyr yn teimlo’n gyfforddus i siarad â ni a’u bod yn gallu derbyn pwy ydyn nhw tra yn y brifysgol.

“Fel dyn traws a ddaeth allan tra’n astudio yng Nghaerdydd, rwy’n deall pa mor unig a dryslyd y gall deimlo, a gobeithio y gall gwaith caled Noah barhau i greu amgylchedd croesawgar a diogel i’n holl fyfyrwyr traws”

- AJ Lumley, Swyddog LHDTC+ 

I gyd-fynd â hyn mae ein Swyddog Traws presennol, AJ Lumley, yn rhedeg ymgyrch yn seiliedig ar gymorth arall gall myfyrwyr ei dderbyn gennym ni yn Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd ac ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae hyn yn cynnwys y gallu i gael ID myfyriwr newydd am ddim os ydych yn dymuno newid eich llun neu'ch enw am resymau cadarnhau rhywedd. Nid oes angen unrhyw dystiolaeth ar gyfer y broses hon a cheir rhagor o fanylion ar dudalen Polisi Traws Prifysgol Caerdydd .