On October 29 and 30, Laura Shaw with Transcendence held their bi-annual clothing swap for transgender, gender non-conforming, or allying students.

Laura Shaw, a mental health counselor in the Wellness Center, runs the event every semester. Shaw explained how she still sees students who have already graduated showing up to these events because it has become a safe space for all kinds of students. The space has turned from a clothing swap to a social space for students to find others like them. “It feels wonderful to give students the freedom to wear the clothes that align with their identity,” Shaw explained. All leftover clothes get donated to the community, this year Cedar Creek High School got the clothes for another event they are having. 

This event began around seven years ago and was initially proposed by Laurie Dutton, the Director for the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center. Shaw explained that it took a while to get the word out about the clothing swap, but once enough students knew the event has been a success each year. The clothing swap is held two days out of each semester: the first always being a Precepting Day, when students have no class, so that resident students have enough time to stop by and look around. The clothes are then left out overnight and the following day. This allows all students, whether commuter or resident, the ability to stop in and spend some time looking through the tables and tables of clothing and accessories available. This event is not only for transitioning students, but for students who may not have the funds for new clothing going into the winter or summer seasons.

The next clothing swap will happen during the Spring 2025 semester near the first precepting day, which is March 25.