Aligned Support, Pride, Education and Community for Transgender Students (ASPECTS) is a student and faculty support group on campus that helps transgender, nonbinary and any students who are questioning their gender identity.
“It’s a way for those students to find people with similar backgrounds, stories and struggles,” said Bethanie Dye, Pride Center coordinator.
The group’s purpose is to ensure that students are cared for and that their needs are addressed. Recognizing the importance of understanding of gender identity, Dye and her staff encourage students to express themselves, ask questions and connect with peers facing similar issues.
“A lot of these groups come about because a student has a need that’s not currently being met, so they reach out to one of the various centers on campus and say that they believe this would be a good idea. Since there has been a continued interest, we were able to continue the program,” said Dye.
This support group has been on campus for eight years and partnered with and hosted the Pride Center when it opened in 2019. ASPECTS and the Pride Center coordinate to support and help students with resources. It provides students with a self-care center with items such as hygiene products, hair care and other necessities for students. The self-care center is open to everyone as well, not just to the Pride Center and ASPECTS members.
ASPECTS has helped students feel right at home, heard and understood. For a supportive outlet, ASPECTS meets once a week. The location is disclosed due to privacy issues. Email the Pride Center for more information. Counseling and other resources are offered in the Pride Center, located in the D.P. Culp Student Center.
“I want to make sure the students are taken care of. That’s the base of what our center is — we just want to make sure students are okay,” said Dye.
