CU SAGA has teamed up with the Paw Pantry to open the Wardrobe, a clothing collection intended for any Clemson students in need, with an emphasis on trans and gender non-conforming students.

According the Wardrobe’s Facebook, the mission is “to provide a free, no-questions-asked resource for gently-used clothing for transgender and gender nonconforming members of the Clemson community.”

“One thing that you learn when going through Ally Training is that transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are bullied and marginalized at a greater rate than LGBTQ people,” Truett House, president of CU SAGA, said. “From this, Jessie Bailey [former president of CU SAGA] and I also knew that it can be daunting as a trans or GNC [gender non-conforming] person to find clothes that make you feel comfortable, whether it be you don’t have the transportation or the funds, or from fear of being harassed in public.”

For Clemson specifically, the ribbon cutting of the Wardrobe on April 2 symbolized more for the Clemson LGBTQIA+ community because of Clemson’s infamous history of inclusiveness. Clemson’s overall Campus Pride Index score is 3 out of 5, which is an improvement from a previous score of 1.  

“At the end of the day, Jessie and I wanted to create a space where any student would feel comfortable to find a piece of clothing that makes them happy and confident,” House said. 

The Wardrobe is located at the Paw Pantry in the Union Breezeway. This week, being Pride Week, made the grand opening all the more special.

Other events from Pride Week included the Pride Prom and the 6th annual Drag Show.

“Pride Prom was planned and organized by the CUSG LGBTQIA+ Engagement Committee, and for a long time we were very anxious about the event because it was our first time planning something on such a large scale,” House said. “It was a major success, just like the other Pride Week events, and I couldn’t be happier.”