Resources 

Trans Best Practices

External Resources

Please note: All of the links posted below are external websites, and may become outdated or nonfunctional. We are not responsible for their content.

Local Social and Support Groups

MassBATS Boston Trans Support // http://massbats.org

BATS is a support group for trans* and non-binary young adults (late teens-mid 30’s) from the Boston area, and Eastern Massachusetts. Join us if you are looking for support in understanding your gender identity, help with coming out or transitioning, emotional support, a sense of community, a place where you belong, or just to meet relatable people. Anybody who identifies as trans (transgender, transsexual, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, bigender, pangender, intersex, etc…) or who is sincerely questioning their gender identity is welcome. BATS is an LGBTIQ friendly safe space, with confidentiality respected among members.

Compass // http://www.compassftm.org

Compass us a New England area female-to-male (FTM) trans support, information, and social group for people assigned female at birth who feel that is not an accurate or complete description of their gender. Meets monthly in Boston. Email compassftm@gmail.com to join the mailing list and for more information.

TCNE, Trans Community of New England // https://tcne.org

The Trans Community of New England is a Boston area transgender support organization. It is one of the oldest transgender groups in the world and holds weekly meetings at their permanent location in Waltham, MA. The club is mainly comprised of people on the MTF spectrum, and strives to provide a confidential, respectful, and safe physical location for members and visitors to express their true gender in the way most comfortable for them. They provide a social space, education, referrals, and connections to other organizations.

Local Information & Action

Massachusetts Commission on LBGTQ+ Youth // https://linktr.ee/malgbt

This map of resources is compiled by the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. It is meant to help youth, families, teachers, and providers find LGBTQ services near to them. To view the map in full screen, click the box in the top right corner of the map.

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition // https://www.masstpc.org

The MTPC is an advocacy, education, and community-building organization of activists across the state that works to end discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. They have a specific page on legal name and gender changes in Massachusetts as well.

Freedom for All Massachusetts // https://www.freedommassachusetts.org

Freedom Massachusetts is a bipartisan coalition fo families, safety advocates, faith leaders, businesses, and more committed to upholding MA's non-discrimination laws protecting transgender neighbors, family, and friends at the MA ballot this November 2018.

General Trans Information/Organizations

Gender Talk Radio // http://www.gendertalk.com

The leading worldwide weekly radio program that talks about transgenderism in the first person. Presents news, information, and exciting new voices that challenge our traditional view of gender -- and more.

GenderPAC // www.truechild.org

The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) works to end discrimination and violence caused by gneder stereotypes by changing public attitudes, educating elected officials, and expanding human rights. The web site contains educational materials, youth and parenting resources, workplace fairness information, and other items of interest.

Human Rights Campaign // www.hrc.org

The Human Rights Campaign works for equal rights for lesbian, bisexual, gay, and trans people. The trans section of their website covers work, family, and legal issues. In addition, they have developed two excellent trans-specific resources. Transgender Americans: A Handbook for Understanding is an accessible, comprehensive guide for allies. Coming Out as Transgender covers coming out issues in relation to the workplace, families, and legal issues. Both may be freely downloaded from the HRC website.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force // www.thetaskforce.org

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has expanded its mission beyond the scope of its implied focus on gay and lesbian issues. The trans section of the website contains extensive information about trans civil rights coverage in jurisdictions throughout the United States. The Task Force’s growing attention to trans issues includes the publications Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Activists and Policymakers and Transitioning Out Shelters: A Guide to Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People. Access the website to download these publications for free.

TSER: Trans Student Equality Resources // www.transstudent.org

Trans Student Equality Resources, Inc. is a youth-led organization dedicated to improving the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through our advocacy, affirming that one's gender identity is a valuable form of human diversity. We believe that trans and gender nonconforming youth should be allowed the same opportunities and respect enjoyed by their peers and that an equal education is a matter of civil rights.

National Center for Transgender Equality // https://transequality.org

The NCTE advances the equality of trans people through advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment.

Gender Odyssey // www.genderodyssey.org

Gender Odyssey is an international conference that focuses on the needs and interests of transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

FTM Spectrum 

For Ourseves: Reworking Gender Expression (FORGE) // www.forge-forward.org

FORGE is a national education, advocacy and support umbrella organization supporting FTMs (female-to-male transsexuals and transgender people, and others who were assigned female at birth but who have some level of masculine identification) and SOFFAs (Significant Others, Family, Friends and Allies). This site has a lot of good information on its resources page.

FTM International // www.ftmi.org

The largest, longest-running volunteer run educational organization serving FTM transgender people and transsexual men. FTMI provides information, a newsletter and other publications, support, and monthly meetings and special events.

MTF Spectrum

Lynn Conway's Home Page // ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/conway.html

Contains an array of informational pages and updated reference links concerning gender identity and gender transition. The site also links to webpages containing photos and "success stories" of over 150 other people who've undergone gender transitions (both MtF and FtM).

TS Roadmap // www.tsroadmap.com

This site has many helpful items about the transition path, including workplace issues, coming out, legal issues, family, financing medical care, safety, sexuality, and much more. It also has specific information on changing names, drivers licenses, birth certificates, and dealing with insurance that is pertinent to both MTFs and FTMs.

(En)gender // www.myhusbandbetty.com

Helen Boyd's page contains a number of online forums for crossdressers, partners, and many other people on the MTF spectrum, including a Partners’ Corner, CD/TV/TG/TS Discussion, Sex & Sensibility, TG News, and TG Events Listings. She also has links to various TG organizations and a recommended reading list.

Legal Information

Sylvia Rivera Law Project // www.srlp.org

SRLP works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence. They are based in New York City.

Transgender Law and Policy Institute // www.transgenderlaw.org

TLPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging in effective advocacy for transgender people in our society. The TLPI brings experts and advocates together to work on law and policy initiatives designed to advance transgender equality.

Transgender Law Center // www.transgenderlawcenter.org

The TLC is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. While they are based in California, their web site contains useful documents on a variety of legal issues facing trans people. They also offer the publication Beyond the Binary: A Tool-Kit for Gender Identity Activism in Schools.

Trans Health Links

Trans Health Online Magazine // www.trans-health.com

An online magazine about health and fitness for transsexual and transgender people. Has interesting articles on fitness, transition and specific health needs/conditions, and hormone therapy.

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) // www.wpath.org

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) promotes evidence based care, education, research, advocacy, public policy and respect in transgender health.

Information for Family, Partners, Friends, & Allies

PFLAG Transgender Support // community.pflag.org/transgender

PFLAG is an organization for families, friends, and other allies of LBGTQ people. This page has links to various resources for trans* youth and their families.