TGNC Resources

Transgender & Gender Non-conforming services for support, inclusion, and health.

TGNC Community

At the Grand Rapids Pride Center, we know that a large piece of our community is represented by transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Given the sensitive nature surrounding the transitioning process and the socioeconomic disparities that our transgender and gender non-conforming community faces, GRPC looks to be strategic in the services it provides our TGNC community, including social and support groups, health access programs, special events, and advocacy efforts.

TGNC Community

Resources & Services

Social & Support Groups

Own Your Gender (OYG)

This group is for those who are gender questioning, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and transgender, identifying inside and outside of the gender binary. OYG provides a space where you are you, with no exceptions and no explanations needed. A place where you can openly and honestly discuss any trouble relating to others in your family, school, workplace, or surrounding community and connect with others in the community to share information, resources, and experiences.

Click here for more information about this group and to see when it meets!

Trans Youth Group

A partnership between Stand with Trans and the Grand Rapids Pride Center, our Transgender Youth Group looks to provide the tools needed by transgender youth so they will be empowered, supported and validated as they transition to their authentic life.

Click here for more information about this group and to see when it meets!

Health Access

Launched in 2018, The Grand Rapids Pride Center’s Proud To Be Healthy program aims to reduce disparities and obstacles that prevent LGBTQ individuals from achieving their highest level of wellness. As we recognize that LGBTQ individuals face higher levels of discrimination in healthcare settings, especially transgender and gender non-confirming individuals, Proud To Be Healthy works to offer direct services either at the Grand Rapids Pride Center and/or partner agencies and also build connections with safe and inclusive community partners in order to being reducing obstacles and healthcare disparity in the LGBTQ community.

Proud To Be Healthy has five main focus areas: health care, mental health, housing, affordable healthy food & social wellness programs.

Visit our Proud To Be Healthy page for more information or to connect with our Proud To Be Healthy Coordinator!

Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) Advisory Committee

The Grand Rapids Pride Center’s Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Advisory Committee (TGNC) advises our staff and Board of Directors on matters important to our transgender and gender non-conforming community. This critical committee also assists with identifying opportunities we can take to improve lives and celebrate the transgender and gender non-conforming community.

This committee is responsible for planning our Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) event in November and our Trans Week of Visibility (TWOV) in March, and is always looking for new members. The group meets twice per month, generally during the evening.

For questions about the TGNC committee or if you’re interested in joining, we’d love to meet with you! Please email us at tgnc@grpride.org.

Trans Day of Visibility

The International Trans Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate all Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming people around the world. On this day we bring awareness and celebration to the trans community while also recognizing the work ahead to accomplish trans justice.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Held annually on November 20th since 1999, the Transgender Day of Remembrance is an international day of mourning for all those whose lives were lost due to transphobic violence. Observed as a community at candlelight vigil, Transgender Day of Remembrance brings together community to recognize victims to transphobic violence and advocate for a safer community for our transgender and gender non-conforming community members.

Held at the Goei Center in 2018, Grand Rapids Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil brought together over 150 community members, our community largest TDOR vigil ever.

Grand Rapids Trans Foundation

The Grand Rapids Pride Center has proudly partnered with the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation for several years, including the planning and development of Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Day of Visibility. Founded in December 2015 as a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based public foundation, the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation exists to support the educational lives of our local trans community through substantial scholarship, focusing on individuals who are experiencing financial barriers to their continued education. It is dedicated to removing obstacles that hold our trans community back and to affirming the enormous potential of our community.

Each year, the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation awards several $2500 grants to transgender & gender non-conforming community members seeking educational assistance. This award is open to people of any age who identify as transgender (including non-binary, two-spirit, third gender, transsexual, and/or any other non-cis gender identity) and who demonstrate financial need. No GPA requirement. Students of color and students with disabilities encouraged to apply.

Scholarship applications usually open in the winter and close in June. Click here for more information and to apply.

Get Involved

The Grand Rapids Pride Center aims to be at the center of a vibrant and inclusive community that supports all LGBTQ individuals.

Jun 7