On this page I’ve collected some internet resources about gender identity and transgenderism that I hope will be helpful. There are also links for parents of trans children, because they need support and information as well! In addition, because in today’s world so many people struggle with anxiety and depression, I’ve included several mental health sites that offer practical strategies for relief.
Navigating Transition
For transmen, Hudson’s FTM Resource Guide is a great source of information that will keep you busy. It’s especially strong when it comes to hormones and surgery. A similar site, which also offers gear for sale, is The Transitional Male.
TS Roadmap is a very detailed and informative site that focuses on the experiences of transwomen. It is definitely worth spending time going through it, as it provides a good overview of transitioning. However, you might also want to read this critique of the site, as it raises some important points to consider.
If you’re just starting on the road to transitioning or still exploring your gender identity, this blog post from Everyday Feminism will be a refreshing read. “I Think I Might be Trans: 8 Important Notes on Questioning and 50+ Resources to Get You Started.”
For information about the effects of cross-gender hormones, please see this web page. It provides an excellent summary and most likely will answer any questions you might have about what to expect from HRT, as well as potential risks. Speaking of risks, be sure to read this reassuring article from 2014 entitled, “Largest Study to Date: Transgender Hormone Treatment Safe.”
Each year, the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference offers 3 days of workshops and presentations aimed at educating and empowering the trans community, along with their allies. I always encourage my clients to attend this event if they’re able to because the energy there is incredible (very affirming and positive). The best part is that the conference is free! Looking for lodging while in Philly? Using Airbnb is a great way to find an affordable room.
Trans Health is a site with many informative articles about transgender-related healthcare. If you’re a client, family member or clinician with questions about hormones, surgeries, or general healthcare concerns, you’ll want to devote some time to this one.
GLAAD is a national organization advocating for LBGT acceptance; their page with transgender resources is very helpful.
Susan’s Place has resources galore and is top of current events related to the trans community. It also hosts a large number of forums, which can be so important when looking for information, support and connection with others.
The Facebook Transgender Alliance, a closed group with over 22,000 members, is a welcoming space of support for anyone on the gender spectrum. Becoming a member is an awesome opportunity to connect with people from all over the world; you really never have to feel alone again.
A good resource to have on hand is The Trevor Project. This national organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth (ages 13 – 24).
If you are a Virginia resident and want to learn how to change your name and gender marker on various documents/IDs, TransLaw has a very helpful guide. For detailed information about your gender marker and social security, please visit this site.
For Family Members
TransYouth Family Allies is an organization that supports trans youth and their families. Its web site has a great deal of helpful information, especially for parents. TYFA also offers educational programs to families and schools. In addition, TYFA sponsors a yahoo group called “TYFA Support Forum,” which offers support and referral information for parents/guardians who are raising gender variant and transgender children.
Todd Greenwood is a writer who is the parent of a transgender child (female-to-male). You can read about his experiences here and here.
Ally Moms (on the Call Him Hunter blog, which as a parent you should definitely check out) is a support system by and for mothers who have a transgender child.
PFLAG (originally known as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) has a great transgender resource page.
Gender Spectrum is an organization that “helps to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens.” They also sponsor an annual conference aimed at supporting youth and their families.
Mental Health Links
When it comes to stress management and reducing anxiety, one of my favorite self-help tools is called “Emotional Freedom Technique.” It’s free, and you can easily learn how to do it here. A combination of tapping on acupressure points and cognitive psychology, it might seem odd at first but please give it a try – as a psychotherapist I have seen it work wonders!
The title of this post says it all: “81 Awesome Mental Health Resources When You Can’t Afford a Therapist“
Anxiety is a problem for many of my clients. Here is a useful article that gives you 22 strategies for handling it.
Zen Habits is a neat blog dedicated to self-growth and personal development. Click here to access its archive; if you browse through it I am sure you’ll find something that catches your eye!
If you are dealing with anxiety and are looking for peer support, an on-line forum might be helpful. Here is a web page that lists several options to consider.
Pick the Brain is a blog that focuses on self improvement. It’s got a lot of articles about a lot of things, but it does offer practical information on dealing with depression and other mental health matters. Chipur (pronounced “chipper”) is another good site with a similar focus that is well-worth checking out!
And for all you smokers out there, it is important to understand that nicotine can inhibit the effects of hormone therapy. So if you’re looking to quit, one great resource is Quitza, an online social support network. Another option is a book called “Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking,” which has helped a number of my clients. And if you google “EFT smoking,” you’ll discover a ton of articles detailing how people have used Emotional Freedom Technique to break their habit.
Andy Matzner 