Our Programs

Peer Support

Siblings
(Ages 10-21)

Parents/Caregivers discuss the unique challenges of raising a transgender, nonbinary or gender expansive child. It is an opportunity to overcome feelings of isolation and to be heard, understood, and supported by other parents. Issues we explore include school, legal matters, privacy, siblings, and extended family. Co-facilitated on a volunteer basis by parents and professional therapists with training in gender issues.

Teen/Young Adults have plenty to talk about out of the earshot of their parents. This peer discussion is facilitated by transgender adults who facilitate the conversation, while sharing their personal experience with the topics that come up. The group meets together and then separates into groups for transmasculine youth (for youth who were designated female at birth) and transfeminine youth (for youth who were designated male at birth). Nonbinary youth are welcome and included in the transmasculine and transfeminine groups. These groups are facilitated by adult transgender mentors.

Bridge/Pre-Teen is for transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth—a safe space to begin the conversation and gently approach topics they will face more directly as they approach puberty. The discussion, which invites the youth to share what is on their minds and find support and resources, is facilitated by  transgender adults who keep the conversation lively and invite them to engage at a deeper level… or maybe just play cards.

Elementary Play Group is supervised in a playground setting, with arts & crafts projects and snacks. Many younger gender-expansive, nonbinary, and transgender youth are at their best when at play. Interactive activities support gender diversity and acceptance–kids can explore and express their gender in a supportive environment among peers. As parents, we are grateful that our children will always know that there are other kids just like them. (Non-trans youth do not join the Elementary Playgroup. If we are meeting in person, childcare will be available for non-trans youth who are potty trained.)

There is an overlap built into the age ranges of the Elementary Play Group and the Bridge group. Each family, in consultation with the group facilitators, decides when their youth move into the older peer support groups. Some will be ready to participate sooner than others.

Siblings are an important part of the family support equation. Cisgender (non-transgender) brothers and sisters are learning how to support their trans and nonbinary siblings and navigate school, home, and community environments. Facilitated by a parent and a young adult sibling of a transgender child. 

Family Events

Outside of our usual monthly meetings, we occasionally hold social events where our youth can simply be kids, have fun, and build friendships with other youth. We also encourage members to organize group meals, seasonal activities, and trips to theme parks and other family fun destinations. While those activities are not official Transforming Family events, they help build a strong community among our families and affirms our kids’ identities outside of a support group setting.