Pathways | Trans Connect - Individual and Community Support for Transgender People

Trans Connect - Individual and Community Support for Transgender People

Financial, LGBT2Q+ Community, Mental Health - Adult & Senior, Mental Health - Child & Youth, and Youth Services

Provided by ANKORS (AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society)

health and community program supporting transgender, two spirit, intersex, and gender diverse people in the East & West Kootenay regions.

Trans Connect offers the following programs:

Gender Outlaws: A regular support and social group for transgender, questioning, non-binary, intersex, two spirit, and gender diverse community members of all ages to gather for community, information, mutual support, and connections to resources. These groups happen in person in Nelson, Trail, Cranbrook, Creston, and other Kootenay towns, as well as online over Zoom.
Under the Umbrella: A weekly LGBTQ+ youth and allies drop-in, in partnership with Nelson Youth Action Network and the Nelson & District Youth Centre. This group serves youth aged 12 – 18, and young adult volunteer opportunities for ages 18 – 24. A fun and activity-oriented group to connect with new friends.
Peer Support: One-on-one support connections.
Christopher Moore Community Fund: A community donation fund to support trans and gender diverse community members with transition-related expenses. Community members can apply to this fund to access a microgrant to cover things like binders, breast forms, packers, gaffes, and other gender-affirming gear and garments. Microgrants can also support access to post-surgical care supplies, one-time specialist appointments, or other transition-related expenses. This fund is not suited for emergency financial needs, as the application process generally takes about two weeks to be reviewed.
Support for Parents and Family: Trans Connect supports parents and family members of transgender or questioning people in one-on-one or group environments by providing information and resources around trans experiences, allyship, and creating pathways of connection to other families with similar experiences.
Trans 101 and Inclusion Workshops: Workshops for communities across the East and West Kootenays about trans identity, allyship, LGBTQ+ terminology, and professional development on best practices for serving the transgender community for workplaces and service providers. Trans Connect also presents post-secondary level presentations to college and university classrooms for medical and nursing students, social work and social service worker programs, and sociology or women/gender studies environments.
SOGI for K – 12: Trans Connect supports teachers, classrooms, schools, and students access age-appropriate education on topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, human and family diversity, and healthy relationships. This involves supporting the creation and maintenance of GSA groups, delivering in-class presentations to students, supporting teachers with curriculum development, and connecting with students on-on-one to provide support and resources.
Individual Support: Provides health navigation for hormones, surgeries, and trans-positive physical & mental healthcare; notary services and support for name and gender marker changes on ID; information on human rights and self-advocacy support; and referrals to trans-positive community services.