Trans Summer School

In this series, we explore what it means to be transgender⁠ (transgender: Describes people who find that the gender applied to them because of the sex they were assigned at birth is incorrect.) , what to do if you think you might be trans or otherwise gender nonconforming⁠ (gender nonconforming: People who do not adhere to or who protest cultural rules or norms about dress, behaviors or activities for people based on their sex.) , what to expect from transition⁠ (transition: In the context of gender the process of exploring, expressing and affirming your gender, particularly if and when it doesn’t align with a sex you were assigned at birth. ) if you decide to pursue medical and/or surgical transition now or in the future, how to have fun and safe sex⁠ (sex: Different things people choose to do to actively express or enact sexuality and sexual feelings; often this involves genitals, but not always. ) while trans, and much, much more.

Here’s what this series is about: Exploring the diversity of trans identity, discussing issues the trans community faces, and thinking about how to explore your own relationship with gender⁠ (gender: Characteristics that are seen or presented as distinguishing between male and female in a society. Gender may or may not include assigned or chosen: social roles, feelings, behaviors and/or presentation or appearance.) .

There is one thing we’re NOT here for: We’re not here to tell you whether you are or aren’t trans, and we want you to know that there’s no one right way to be trans, nor is there any such thing as “trans enough.”

Everyone defines and experiences transness very differently, much as cisgender people experience gender in a variety of ways from femmes to butches to queens to so much more. It’s up to you to decide what that looks like for you. You’re always enough of anything and everything.

Experiences of gender are highly varied from person to person and all over the world. Some people experience an intense identification with another gender and decide to transition to feel more comfortable in their bodies. Others may struggle with their gender for a while, or experience a fluid relationship that changes over time — like a trans woman who later identifies as agender after transition. Some know that their experience of gender doesn’t match their sex assigned at birth, but they may not feel the need to transition. Everyone needs a safe place to explore their relationship with gender. This is a judgment-free zone.