News & Events
Stroll at the Sea Walk
Rescheduled to Sunday May 29th, 2-4PM. Meet at the big parking lot below Sea Walk access road (Coast Guard Station) at 2pm. Call Laurance at 604-414-6187 if you need to arrange a ride to or from the event. All are welcome; bring your friends and allies! See you there!
Helping Out Fund - apply by the 15th of each month
Our peer support team recognizes the barriers and marginalization trans and gender diverse people often face, and the profound impact it can have on one’s life, particularly for those who may be enduring poverty, lack of social support, illness, or other hardships. Everyone deserves to have their needs met, we are here to support our trans community members in need with our Helping Out Fund. You can now fill out our Application Form to apply for funds, at www.transqathet.ca/helping-out. The deadline to apply is by the 15th of each month, and if filling out the form is challenging, we can assist you in receiving the funds you need in other ways. Email zeke@transqathet.ca with any issues or questions about the funds!
We’ve also added a “donate” button to our website for anyone who wants to contribute to the Helping Out Fund to aid those in our community - Note: as we are not a registered charity, your donation is not eligible for a tax receipt.
Ongoing Events
Reminder for our next Peer Support Zoom Meet-Up
(Tuesday, June 7th, 7-8:30PM)
Come and hang out with your local peer support group in a confidential and non-judgmental online space. You are welcome to drop by at any time and share ideas and stories. Join us however feels comfortable and safe for you - camera and audio off is welcome. This is a recurring event on the first Tuesday of every month.
We welcome trans, non-binary, gender diverse and gender-questioning individuals. If this space is not for you, feel free to forward this invite to others.
If you are attending, please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpc-uqqjMoEtEx10wAzLBMHlD3TXM01lp8
Tq Support Circle for Parents of Gender Creative Kids and Trans Youth
Annabelle is facilitating a free and confidential support circle for parents of gender creative kids and trans youth. Meetings are held in person and online.
In person at: Discover Creative Arts, Townsite Public Market (lower entrance, across from Turadh Art Gallery); May 30, June 6, June 20 at 7:00PM (more dates TBD)
Online (zoom): the first and third Thursday of the month at 7:30PM. You can register at bit.ly/3L0SfFI
Please contact annabelle@transqathet.ca for more information.
Book Recommendations
Jess and Annabelle are bookworms, and below are a few of their favourite books that are available at the Powell River Public Library. Please e-mail jess@transqathet.ca for many more recommendations! Also, check out this amazing book list created by Trans Wellness Ontario, several of these books are available at the PRPL. Jess is available to go with you to the library to help you find books, get a library card, or treat you to a cup of tea or coffee from The Nook!
Books for Kids
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Kai Yun Ching. This is one of the most beautiful and poetic picture books I have ever read. It tells the story of Miu Lan, a gender creative child who is raised by their mother to be fully themselves. Starting school raises challenges for Miu Lan that they navigate with the love and support of their mom. ~Jess
It Feels Good to be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni. This picture book is written by a parent of a trans child, and illustrated by a trans artist. Together they explain and illuminate key terms about gender identity and gender diversity for kids age 5 and up. Noah Grigni writes at the end of the book that “I illustrated this book because it’s a resource I wish I had as a kid. Language is power. Growing up in Georgia without access to words like transgender and non-binary, I struggled to define myself from a young age.” It Feels Good to be Yourself gives kids the language they need to understand themselves; it also contains a list of books and resources for their caregivers. ~Jess
Books for Adults
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper. This is an in-depth “how to” book for families that have questions about everything related to gender! It is well laid out and has headings for each section to guide the reader to the area most relevant for them. This book is like having a support group, understanding medical team, and counselor all rolled into one neat little package. I wish I had found it years ago! ~Annabelle
Love Lives Here: A Story of Surviving in a Transgender Family by Amanda Jetté Knox. This memoir is a great read; it’s really accessible, with a good narrative. When the author’s eldest child comes out as trans at age eleven she is rocked initially, but becomes a strong and constant advocate for their child and for trans rights. Amanda’s longtime partner, Zoe, has coped throughout life and marriage with an underlying unhappiness. Witnessing their child’s courage inspires Zoe’s own transition. This is a truly courageous and heartwarming account of a family’s love, strength and resilience. ~Annabelle
Other Resources
The following organizations have informative websites with many articles, videos, resources, courses, and book recommendations. Trans Lifeline is a national peer support hotline run by trans people for their trans and questioning peers.
Trans Lifeline - translifeline.org, Canada: 1-877-330-6366
Transcare BC - http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/
Trans Rights BC - https://www.transrightsbc.ca/
Egale - egale.ca
It Gets Better Canada - https://itgetsbettercanada.org/
SOGI 123 - https://www.sogieducation.org/
Gender Spectrum - genderspectrum.org