Scholarships for transgender students are not uncommon, but Oceanside-based MiraCosta College is claiming to be the first college in America to fund such a project.
Called the Trans* Pride Scholarship, the endowment aims to provide a $1,000 grant every year.
“While members of the LGBT community experience marginalization, this marginalization is experienced most greatly by members of the transgender and gender nonconforming communities,” said Steven Deineh, co-adviser of the school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance Faculty.
“Scholarships and visible support for members of this at-risk community are critical right now as states like Indiana and North Carolina and highly visible government officials are disavowing the civil rights of transgender people under the auspices of religious freedom.”
Fundraising for the Trans* Pride Scholarship began in 2015 — a year after the college’s Gay Straight Alliance awarded its first $1,000 grant to student Geoffrey Koch.
Trans* Pride was created by a group of faculty, staff and students “concerned with traditional and historic barriers to higher education for transgender and gender nonconforming students,” the school said.
The scholarship will go to a “transgender or gender nonconforming student or active ally to this community,” said a news release.
Faculty, staff, students, members of the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees and community supporters gave to the scholarship endowment, the school said. The Gender Sexuality Alliance student club led a majority of the fundraising efforts with events such as the 6th Annual Queer Cupcake Party and 3rd Annual Royal Drag Show.
“Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is welcome to attend — or work for — MiraCosta College,” Deineh said.
Potential donors or anyone with questions can call 760-795-6777 or visit this website.
UC San Diego and San Diego State University also have potential transgender scholarships but as part of an LGBTQ outreach. So does the University of San Diego School of Law.
