Trans and Non-binary Café
At the Trans and Non-binary Café we offer a chance to come together with other trans people and discuss whatever you would like. Usually at some point being trans comes up but we believe there’s great value in being with other trans people, having a chance to catch up and talk and make friends with people who share the same sorts of experiences.
Our Cafes are:
- In an accessible, respectful and confidential space
- Open for all, regardless of gender, presentation, age, or whether you are staff, student, or member of the wider community not affiliated with the University at all - all welcome
- With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action
- On a not for profit basis
- Alongside drinks and snacks
We run a private Discord server and hold monthly in-person meetings at 2 different wheelchair accessible locations on campus. We rotate our weekday meet ups between over lunch time and in the evening, so that we can best accommodate those with different schedules. We don't share the venues or discord link publicly to protect the privacy of members but you can get these by emailing transcafe@exeter.ac.uk or if you are already in it, in the Discord server.
Though our meetings take place on Streatham Campus, because of the free availability of more accessible spaces, we are open to people who do not have any affiliation with the University - we warmly welcome people from the broader community. If you consider yourself trans, nonbinary, intersex and/or questioning, you are very welcome.
Our upcoming dates for our in person meet ups are:
February
- Thursday 6th Feb – 12pm - 13:30pm
- Sat 15 Feb 1pm – 3pm
March
- Thursday 6th March – 6:30pm to 8pm
- Sat 15 March 1pm – 3pm
April
- Thursday 3rd April – 12pm - 13:30pm
- Sat 19 April 1pm – 3pm
May
- Thursday 8th May – 6:30pm to 8pm
- Sat 17 May 1pm – 3pm
June
- Thursday 5th June – 12pm - 13:30pm
- Sat 14 June 1pm – 3pm
July
- Thursday 3rd July – 6:30pm to 8pm
- Sat 19 July 1pm – 3pm
August
- Thursday 7th August – 6:30pm to 8pm
- Sat 16 August 1pm – 3pm
If you are nervous of coming and would like support with it, or if you have any other questions, please do get in touch with transcafe@exeter.ac.uk, where someone from our small, all trans organising team will be happy to help.
We look forward to welcoming any trans, nonbinary, intersex and/or questioning people into the events.
Sometimes, these dates/times or the standard rooms we use have to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, such as issues with the room/building, or to avoid crossing picket lines on campus. We will try and update the website promptly if this is the case, but the best way to be updated on any changes is to be in the Discord server, where these will be flagged in the announcements channel.
Trans and Non-binary Café does not gatekeep and we will never turn people away for 'not being trans enough'.
The Café is open to anyone who is:
- Trans and/or non-binary
- Intersex
- Questioning
- Feels that this is a group they belong in
Our aim is for this to be a space for our community to talk amongst ourselves without having to educate, cater to, or debate with cis people, if you want to be involved with the trans community as an ally we would love to see you at the LGBTQ+ Staff Network or LGBTQ+ Student Society. You do not need to be affiliated with the University to come along to our in person meetings, or to join the Discord.
The Café is open for:
- Staff
- Students
- Alumni
- Applicants
- Members of the wider community with no affiliation to the University
We are not a support service but feel free to contact transcafe@exeter.ac.uk if:
- You have questions about coming out/changing your name
- You would like support with an issue relating to transness at the university
- You would like to ask a question about trans inclusion
We are very happy to give University of Exeter teams updates about the café and discuss how you can be more inclusive
If you are running research or other events that involve the trans community please feel free to contact us at transcafe@exeter.ac.uk so we can promote