Trigger Warning: This page discusses topics such as gender identity, coming out, masking, healthcare, and anti-trans legislation. These subjects may bring up feelings of anxiety, fear, or distress — especially if you have faced rejection, discrimination, or barriers to affirming care.

Please proceed with care and take breaks if needed. Remember, you are not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted person, a supportive community, a mental health professional, or visit the Crisis Resources page for immediate support.

Transgender Toolkit

Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people face unique mental health challenges, often rooted in systemic discrimination, lack of affirming care, and social stigma.

This toolkit centers the lived experiences of trans folks and aims to support youth, caregivers, educators, and providers in creating safer, more affirming environments.

Whether you’re exploring your gender, supporting a loved one, or working in a space that serves trans youth — this page is for you.

What Does It Mean to Be Transgender?

Being transgender means that your gender identity — how you know yourself to be — doesn’t fully align with the sex you were assigned at birth.

There is no one way to be trans

Some trans people feel like a boy

Some feel like a girl

Some feel like both, neither, or something else entirely

Transition can look different for everyone:

  • Social transition (name, pronouns, clothes)

  • Medical transition (hormones, surgery)

  • No transition at all

All experiences are valid.

Key Terms

These don’t always match up — and that’s okay.

If you are curious about learning about these more in depth, visit LGBTQIA+ Identity.

Coming Out & Masking

Coming out is not a requirement. It’s a choice — one that should always center your safety, readiness, and autonomy.

Masking (hiding one’s identity to feel safe or fit in) can be a survival tool, but it can also take a toll on mental health.

What helps:

  • Spaces where you don’t have to explain or justify your identity

  • People who respect your identity, even if you’re not out to everyone

  • Reminders that you get to decide when, how, and if you come out

You are still valid even if you’re not out.

If you are open to explore, check out our Coming Out Toolkit

Gender-Affirming Healthcare

Gender-affirming care isn’t only about hormones or surgery — it’s about respecting and supporting someone’s gender identity socially, medically, and emotionally.

Types of affirming care:

  • Using chosen name/pronouns

  • Access to puberty blockers or hormones (if desired)

  • Mental health care from affirming providers

  • Legal support for name/gender marker changes

Barriers include:

  • Cost and insurance denials

  • Biased or untrained providers

  • Restrictive laws and misinformation

Research shows affirming care saves lives. It’s linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.

Policy & Advocacy

Trans youth deserve protection — not politics.

Harmful legislation is on the rise, from bathroom bans to healthcare restrictions. Advocacy helps challenge these laws and uplift trans voices.

Ways to get involved:

  • Follow orgs like ACLU, GLAAD, Transgender Law Center, Equality California

  • Contact your local reps

  • Show up at town halls, school board meetings, or peaceful protests

  • Share verified information to combat misinformation

Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Your support matters.

Resources to Bookmark

Looking for youth-specific resources?

In addition to this toolkit, there are a few guides and databases created specifically with trans and queer youth in mind:

  • Trans Youth Handbook — created by young people for young people, this handbook is especially focused on your legal rights. It covers topics like school protections, healthcare access, name and gender marker changes, and what to do if you face discrimination.

  • InReach — a free, digital database of LGBTQ+ resources across the U.S. While not youth-only, it’s packed with affirming healthcare providers, housing support, mental health services, community groups, and more. You can search by location and filter for what you need.

  • Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People — comprehensive guide to help begin education on the basics of gender identity and expression. Viewers will be able to better support the trans and nonbinary folks in their life and help to create a safer, kinder, more accepting world.

These resources complement what you’ll find here by covering areas that may not be fully addressed in this toolkit. We encourage you to explore them and find the mix of tools, information, and support that work best for you.

Rooted in Pride, We Bloom.

Rooted in Pride, We Bloom.

You are seen. You are loved.

Being transgender is not a trend — it’s a powerful and beautiful truth that has existed across cultures and throughout history. Your identity is real and valid, no matter where you are in your journey.

Coming out, transitioning, or even just acknowledging your identity to yourself are all courageous acts. There is no single “right” way to be trans. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone to be worthy of respect, care, and joy.

If the world feels heavy, remember that you are not alone. Trans communities are vibrant, resilient, and full of people who will celebrate you exactly as you are. There are also countless organizations, hotlines, and advocates working every day to make the world safer for you.

Take care of your mental health, lean on affirming spaces whenever you can, and know that you have the right to live with pride, autonomy, and authenticity.