Empowered and Connected: Post-Election Resources for Transgender and Gender Diverse Communities

This blog lists several resources compiled by many contributors for various means of support. In addition to the resources, we have included recommendations for tending to ourselves! We will continue to update our post-election resources for transgender and gender diverse communities as we get more things to share. Our entire team at QueerDoc will be keeping our eyes and ears open!

Education

• Erin In The Morning Steps For Transgender People Preparing For Federal Crackdowns Under Trump
• FAQ by Gender Justice League of Washington: how to prepare and what to expect
• A4TE Trans Survival Guide

Community

• Trans Family Support Services: groups for parents and youth
• Trans Families: has several online groups pre-teens, teens, parents, caregivers, family members, and adults
• Gender Spectrum: groups for pre-teens, teens, parents, caregivers, family members, and adults
• American Trans Resource Hub: youth and adult support groups available
• QChat Space: both virtual groups and chats for youth
• Spart*a: for trans and gender diverse people who are or who have served in the military
• TransMentors: support through their Facebook groups
• Asperger/Autism Network: for people with autism and gender diversity, both online groups and communities 
• Trans and Gestating Support Group: Hosted by Moss the Doula, every other Sunday at 3pm EST via zoom
• Trevor Space:  TrevorSpace is an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24

Community Projects

• Stay With Us – a collection of essays by trans writers hosted by Assigned Media
• Julia Serano’s suggestion for a Day of Action by LGBTQ+ and Allies (suggested for December 3rd.)

Somatic Healing Practices

• The Embodiment Institute
• Johns Hopkins Somatic Care

Good News 

• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund: Winning candidates – LGBTQ+ candidates who won in local, state, and national elections
• Transgender Law Center’s Good News Bank – for stories of trans resilience, joy, and care

Nourishment

• Transgender Law Center’s Care Package – features guided meditations, poetry, music, art, and writing by transgender people

DIY Resources

• Adults
  • https://diyhrt.wiki/
  • https://hrt.coffee/ 
• Youth
  • https://smach.help/ 
• Home Hormone Production
  • Transdermal Estradiol

Hotlines

• Trans Lifeline – 1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (Canada). Run by and for trans people. English and Español
• Thrive Lifeline – Text 1-313-662-8209. Trans-led and operated 24/7
• Blackline – 1-800-604-5841. Centers BIPOC, with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens
• The Trevor Project 24/7 Suicide Hotline – 1-866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678. Computer chat is also available

Moving

• States
  • Trans Resistance Network
  • Pink Haven 
  • To Colorado: The Trans Continental Pipeline
• Country
  • Canada/BC: Rainbow Refugee

Organizations for Donations:

• Campaign for Southern Equality Trans Youth Emergency Project
• Point of Pride
• Trans Resistance Network
• Pink Haven 
• The Trans Continental Pipeline
• Trans Rescue
• Elevated Access

Ways to Tend to Yourself

Thanks to Cass Dallas (he/they) LICSW, Psychotherapist, Educator, and Founder of Cass Dallas Psychotherapy & Training for their work in creating these. We are so grateful for them sharing their work with us!

• Breath & Ground: Where possible, create space for any grounding, mindfulness, or breathing exercises that have helped you in the past. Here are some breathing techniques and grounding techniques that are generally helpful. This may be a great time to try new coping strategies, and if they don’t work, you’ve passed some time and and have more info about what helps, or doesn’t.
• Social Media & News Breaks: Give yourself the gift of rest from social media, either unplugging, airplane mode, or mute/block topics or accounts that feel triggering during this time. Distraction, games, times outside, connection with friends and community are all your friends right now. There are many types of rest that could be helpful to us with the exhaustion of these times, and this article shares more.
• Find Comfort: Seek comfort in various ways, through the five senses: music, comfy blankets, beverages, temperature, foods that nourish our bodies, sights that make us feel good. Options can be time outside, photos, and chats or calls with loved ones, even brief. This Instagram post shares some beautiful and simple ideas to find comfort and self care.
• Look Forward: Future plans can be helpful, and looking out for small “glimmers” (the opposite of triggers). These can be as simple as an album or new season of a show you’re looking forward to, a meal, or a day trip.
• Eat, Sleep, Hydrate: Care of body and general self care can be extra important during these times, and harder to maintain. It’s okay to reach out for support or reminders during these times from loved ones. It’s also helpful to make extra effort to be sure we are nourished, getting the right outdoor time and amounts of social time that we need.
• Self-Compassion: If you’re struggling with shame, blame, sadness, and internal pain, you are not alone. In environments where the world is in crisis in various ways, we can reflect that pain internally. If this sounds like it is happening for you, try some self compassion exercises.
• Make & Enjoy Art: Creativity, arts and other means of expression have helped our ancestors survive during difficult times, and heal. Expression can look different for each of us, and can be more about enjoying the process than whatever we are making. Even finding songs and music that are resonant and taking a few minutes to sing along could be helpful.

A few extra ways to nurture you and regulate your nervous systems. These things won’t change the oppression we face, but they help manage the body’s stress response and stress hormones. These are some of the tools Dr. Beal uses regularly for themmeself!

• Dance: Moving your body to rhythm and music can help with mental health. It has been shown to boost mood, reduce stress hormones, build confidence, sharpen focus, and foster a sense of community.
• Binaural Beats: Helps ease stress response, improve focus, and promote relaxation by synchronizing brainwaves—offering a simple, sound-based approach to support emotional balance.
• Cuddling: Releases oxytocin (the “love hormone”), reducing anxiety responses, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing feelings of safety and connection—a comforting, powerful boost for mental well-being. Pets and people!!!
• Taking a Walk: Can boost mood, lower stress hormones, and improve focus through gentle movement and (hopefully) fresh air. Dr. Beal says they always feel different after a walk.
• (If you have access) Being Near Running Water or the Ocean: Calms the mind, reduces physiologic stress, and boosts mood by tapping into the soothing sounds and natural ions in the air.