Part 5/12:

The emotional toll of navigating campus life as a trans individual was palpable. Students described feelings of dysphoria, distress, and feelings of being out of place, especially when their gender identity was not recognized or affirmed. For example, one student detailed an experience where they wore a skirt hoping to alleviate dysphoria but encountered uncomfortable stares and internal conflict. Such moments often led to withdrawal and a reluctance to leave their rooms.