LGBTQ Resources

 

UU Welcoming

Resources for Allies

Resources for LGBTQ Members and Families

  • transbodies.com
    • Trans Bodies, Trans Selves 2nd edition, 2022 Oxford University Press. Also available as an e-book

  • OutMetroWest Additional Resources - includes physical & mental health, school and family resources

  • The Trevor Project - suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people

  • The Trevor Project Coming Out Handbook (also downloadable .pdf)

  • lgbtqcenters.org - Centerline - Community of LGBTQ centers

  • qchatspace.org - for LGBTQ+ and questioning teens ages 13-19 collaboration of Centerlink, Pflag and Planned Parenthood

  • transfamilies.org - offers support for families with trans and gender diverse children ages 4-20; they plan an online family conference, and offer multiple online forums for families as well as monthly virtual gatherings for youth via Zoom and Discord

  • ​PFLAG Camps for Youth - Summer Camps for LGBTQ youth + allies 
  • LGBTQ College Culture Guide - Any LGBTQIA+ youth in high school - recommend they look into the LGBTQ support centers of any colleges/tradeschools they are considering.The link above has great additional suggestions.

Support Groups

outmetrowest.org OUT MetroWest - LGBTQ+ Youth, Young Adult and Family Support Groups (Framingham & 6 satellite locations, 2024: Danny’s Place Acton, 543 Massachusetts Ave  - 2nd Thursday monthly)

  • Shine: For gender expansive pre-K - 5, Glow: LGBTQ+ pre-K-5
  • Nexus: LGBTQ+ grades 6-8
  • Umbrella: trans & non-binary, gender questioning grades 9-12
  • Prism: LGBTQ+ grades 9-12
  • Drop-in: LGBTQ+ grades 6-12 unstructured
  • Satellite: MetroWest rotating locations grades 6-8, including Danny;s Place in Acton
  • Nova: LGBTQ+ ages 19-29 for Alums
  • Often host parent support groups in parallel with the youth group
  • LGBTQ+ Basics & Beyond - training for organizations

Medical

  • fenwayhealth.org Fenway Health advocates for and delivers health care, supportive services, research & education centered on LGBTQ+, BIPOC and other underserved communities; potential source of therapists and pediatric endocrinologists supporting trans and gender expansive.
  • https://rigt.org/ - Even though many transgender patients are prescribed hormone replacement for gender affirming care, it is considered “off label”. A non-profit called RIGT is trying to get the FDA to approve the use specifically for gender affirming care. This is necessary health care for transgender folk. They are starting with estrogen replacement but will be extending their work to testosterone and puberty blockers.  https://www.statnews.com/2023/11/28/fda-gender-affirming-care-estrogen-approval/

Legal

Name and Gender Marker Change for Transgender and Non-binary Folks

Early Days with a New Name

Perhaps you are starting to live with a new name, perhaps while you are presenting with a new gender (or not).  When you go to a store and give them your credit card, it doesn’t have to have the “wrong” name on it.   If you already have a credit card (or someone who trusts you has one), then most banks that issue credit cards will allow you to “add an authorized user”.  In most cases, they require a birth date, but do not require a social security number for the authorized user.  There may be a field for social security number, but in many cases it isn’t required. Thus, you can have a credit card in the name that you wish to use without any hassle.

  • Changing your legal name (and possibly your gender marker):

The short story on name changes is:

  1. Change your legal name in Massachusetts through the Probate and Family court.
  2. Use the “court ordered name change” results of #1 to change your name (and possibly your gender marker) with the Social Security Administration.  Probably have to go in person to your local social security office (look up online which is your specific local office)
  3. Use your new SSA card and results of #1 to change your name (and possibly gender marker) with the Massachusetts RMV on your driver’s license.
  4. Change your name (and possibly gender marker) on your Passport using results of #1. Travel.State.Gov Selecting Your Gender Marker

None of this requires any doctor to swear to anything or any medical forms.  It also doesn’t necessarily even require a lawyer, though one might help.

Interestingly, you can eFile for the court ordered name change (#1 above) with the Probate and Family court in Massachusetts.  Here are the forms, and if you look carefully, there is an online way to do this, not necessarily requiring a lawyer.  There are three or four forms, one of which requires you to sign with a notary, which may be available at your town hall or bank (appointment may be required). Regardless of how you file, it can take 6-8 weeks to be processed, if everything goes well.

As was pointed out recently, depending on how the election goes this year, this may become (much?) more difficult in the future.

Amending your Massachusetts Birth Certificate

Transgender Voice Lessons

Zheanna, the principal of TransVoiceLessons, created a new way of conceptualizing the gender of voices, and a fresh way of teaching voice feminization as well as masculinization. Her work seems to represent the current state of the art in voice feminization. There are lots of YouTube videos by Zheanna available on voice feminization, one with more than 1 million views.  There are many more resources, both videos and audio clips, available for a very minimal charge if you contribute to TVL through Patreon.  They have a Dserver available if you contribute via Patreon.  In addition, they offer direct 1-1 lessons.   Their website suggests that they offer group lessons, but that doesn’t seem to be happening at present.

VoxNova works with the same conceptualization of voice gender as TransVoiceLessons and may have participated in creating it. (Though the TVL folks seem to be continuing to evolve their approach slightly).  They have a free Discord server, and also offer lower priced 1-1 lessons.  They have lots of free audio clips and tons of resources available.  You can listen in to lessons in progress.

LGBTQ+ Children's Books

  • A Color Named Love by M. Ellery and Clara Reschke “Meet Anna and her 4 parents in the first children’s book with polyamorous parents represented! Here, we celebrate love in all its forms and cherish the beauty found in all kinds of families!”
  • All Kinds of Families by Suzanne Lang 
  • And Tango Makes Three By Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Illustrated by Henry Cole
  • Bathe The Cat by Alice McGinty and David Roberts - two dads portrayed in illustrations 
  • Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman and Carol Thompson - board book about a kid and their two dads
  • Everything Possible by Fred Small and Alison Brown."Strong and bold, or quiet and kind, every child is unique and their future filled with possibilities. Based on Fred Small’s iconic folk song that became an anthem for generations, Everything Possible celebrates love and friendship, gently encouraging children to dream their own dream and choose their own path, wherever it may take them. An inspiring and uplifting picture book for children everywhere."
  • Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel - “Frog and Toad”: An Amphibious Celebration of Same-Sex Love | The New Yorker  
  • From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea Text by Kai Cheng Thom, Illustrated by Kai Yun Ching & Wai-Yant Li “A magical gender variant child brings transformation and change to the world around them thanks to their mother's enduring love.”
  • Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate
  • Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman - one of the first children’s books to depict a child with lesbian moms Quote from the author: “Many years ago, a woman stopped me on the street and said, “I don’t have a book to read to my daughter that shows a family like ours. Someone should write one.” So I did! I hope Heather Has Two Mommies shows that there are many types of families in the world, and the most important thing about any family is that it is filled with love.” 
  • I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings “The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere”
  • If You're a Kid Like Gavin by Gavin Grimm and Kyle Lukoff
  • It Feels Good To Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn “No matter what your gender identity is, you are okay exactly the way you are.  And you are loved.”
  • Jacob’s New Dress by Ian Hoffman
  • Jamie is Jamie by Afsaneh Moradian
  • Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love 
  • Love in the Wild by Katy Tanis
  • Miss Rita, Mystery Reader by Kristen Wixted and Sam Donovan
  • Mommy, Mama, and Me by Leslea Newman and Carol Thompson - board book about a kid and their two moms
  • My Shadow Is Purple by Scott Stuart “My Dad has a shadow that’s blue as a berry, and my Mom’s is as pink as a blossoming cherry.  There’s only those choices, a 2 or a 1.  But mine is quite different, it’s both and it’s none.” - A heartwarming and inspiring book about being true to yourself.  This story considers gender beyond binary in a vibrant spectrum of color
  • My Sister, Daisy by Adria Karlsson and Linus Curci - Story from the perspective of an older brother adjusting to his sibling’s revelation that she is his sister, not his brother
  • My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten and Izak Zenou - board book portraying families with two dads
  • My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten and Izak Zenou - board book portraying families with two moms
  • Neither by Airlie Anderson
  • Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima  
    • Later in this series, Weather Together offers a beautiful portrayal of facing depression and finding support from a true friend. 
  • Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin and Kate Alizadeh - two moms portrayed in illustrations 
  • Sea the Love by Rose + Rosie (available as a PDF online) 
  • Stella Brings the Family by Miriam Schiffer 
  • Strong by Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood
  • The Family Book by Todd Parr
  • The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess - See the colorful author talk about their colorful story book here.
  • Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick
  • When Panda Was a Boy: A Collection of Stories on Gender Identity for K-8,  by Connie Dunn.
  • Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian and Mike Curato - an allegory of gay marriage 

Additional Book Lists

Flags

Trans Legislation Subscription

This person has a very comprehensive page on trans legislation but it is not for everyone. Reading this could be triggering for some people, so subscribe if you wish. 

https://www.erininthemorning.com/

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