Stand with Trans Adds Support Groups and Holiday Celebration

Valentine's Day can be a stressful time for many, particularly someone who might be dealing with coming out. That's why Stand with Trans is hosting a Share the Love Valentine's Day Party for both trans people and their families. Stand with Trans is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is "to provide the tools needed by transgender youth so they will be empowered, supported and validated as they transition to their authentic life." It's an effort to create a safe space for people to start off the new year in a safe, non-judgmental space.
"It's a social event. The last two summers we've had a big family picnic, and so we made a decision that we would add another social event throughout the year, and we decided to do that in February," said the organization's Founder and Board President Roz Keith. "And, it was an opportunity for families who had transgender members to come together. So, it's a great way for the kids to connect, families get to meet each other, to just have fun, relax and find community with each and each other's families. There's no pressure to do anything beyond just hang out."
Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share with other guests at the free event, and come dressed in their finest Valentine's Day attire. The event will feature a wide array of activities ranging from face painting, music, crafts and of course, food.
Although the event isn't a direct celebration of the organization's recent addition of nine new support groups, the timing ties in well with this expansion. Keith said the groups will be a valuable new addition to Stand with Trans' current services.
"The support groups are really important because it's an opportunity for the parents to share what's going on in a safe, non-judgmental space," she said. "A lot of times I think parents, who may be supportive of their child, are hesitant to come because they feel like maybe their opinions will be judged, or they're not understanding certain things and it's hard to put that into words; that their issues and struggles may be so different that they don't feel comfortable opening up."
Keith said that the groups are not therapy, they're peer support groups that vary based on the intended audience.
"We have parent support groups, we have trans youth groups and we have one – and soon two – groups for young children," Keith said. "Those aren't really support groups, those are really play-based gatherings."
According to Keith, the meetings have been so succesful that it's usually the kids who beg their parents to bring them back again.
"So, the youth, I've heard from several families that once they come, they're the ones asking their parents, 'Can we go back?' They can come, they can hang out, have some conversations and, again, it's a safe space with other kids that, 'get it,'" she said. "So they're not explaining themselves, and they look forward to it."
Share the Love will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Orchard United Methodist Church at 30450 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills. To attend, RSVP to Roz at [email protected] or call ahead at 248-739-9254.
Stand with Trans offers a variety of support groups in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, Flint, Lake Orion, Lansing, Livonia and Macomb. A full list can be found online at http://standwithtrans.org/resources/support-groups/