Culture Corner: 5 Organizations that Support Trans Youth
August 15, 2024All over the country, parents are stockpiling notebooks, pencils and all things back to school. It’s estimated that nearly 47 million children in the United States will be starting school this August. While there are so many things to consider — like budgeting for school clothes, helping your kid decide which electives they should take, even selecting the best first day of school outfit — some parents, caregivers and trans youth have deeper concerns.
Nearly one in five people who identify as transgender are school aged youth between the ages of 13 and 17. These young people are coming of age under frightening circumstances, we are eight months into 2024 and already 193 anti-trans bills targeting education were considered. The bills aim to deny students name and pronoun autonomy, forcibly out trans students to their parents, and ban basic gender identity education.
Having a supportive community and access to resources, advocacy and social connection is vital in order for trans youth and their families to thrive.
Here is a list of organizations that offer support, resources and affirmation for trans youth, parents and caregivers.
Encircle believes that supporting LGBTQ+ youth and their families is crucial. That’s why they offer community programs and therapy services that create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. They offer essential mental health services, resources, and tools for LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, and families.
Encircle provides space for meaningful connections, creative and purposeful activities with inherent meaning, and experiences to educate and empower LGBTQ+ youth.
How to Help: You can donate directly to Encircle, volunteer or you can even start your own fundraiser. Check out all the ways you can support this organization.
Stonewall Youth – A youth-led organization that empowers LGBTQ+ youth to speak for themselves, support each other, survive and thrive, educate themselves and their communities, and create social change.
Stonewall Youth provides an array of programs: peer support groups; drop-in hours; ongoing art, music, and writing programs; advocacy and mentorship; safe and sober social events (such as dances and performances); an annual 4-day youth leadership development and organizational planning retreats; opportunities for youth to educate themselves and our community on issues that LGBTQIA2S+ youth face; professional development through staff positions, fellowships, internships, and Board membership; and much more.
How to Help: Support LGBTQ+ youth power and community and donate to Stonewall Youth here.
Henderson Equality Center, are community supported organizations that engage, empower, enrich, and advance the LGBTQ+, allies and queer communities of Henderson and Southern Nevada. They provide a safe space, social groups, resources, support, educational and skill building courses, food pantry as well as job assistance for at-risk, low-income LGBTQ youth and adults.
How to Help: Volunteers are the Backbone of Henderson Equality Center. They always need folks to help produce events and assist with activities. Find out how you can get involved.
GLSEN works to make sure that LGBTQ+ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.
Their mission is to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
GLSEN’s national network is more than 1.5 million strong, with students, families, educators, and education advocates working to create safe schools. More than 500,000 GLSEN resources are downloaded by students and educators each year.
How to Help: You can help schools and communities across the country reduce victimization for our LGBTQ+ youth and set the course for a safer, more equitable future by donating here.
Advocates for Youth works alongside thousands of young people here in the U.S. and around the globe as they fight for sexual health, rights, and justice. They are committed to transgender young people’s health, rights, and safety. Through their youth advocacy programs they work with transgender, gender expansive, and cisgender youth activists fighting for transgender rights. They also work with educators and school administrators to help make schools safer and more supportive for gender expansive youth.
How to Help: Advocates for Youth champions efforts that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Support their work with a donation here.
Now that you have been schooled on these cool organizations, it’s time to find the best one that works for you and your family. Forward Together hopes for an amazing school year for all youth. We will continue to work toward a world where transgender youth and their families can thrive, leading to healthier, happier lives.
Thirsty for more? Check out some of our Trans Day of Resilience art that you can share with your community.