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Community Support & Mutual Aid

Our communities have always known how to take care of each other. These patterns of mutual aid and support have been passed down and refined through generations of survival wisdom. Here are some time-tested approaches:

Critical Advisory - February 2025: Data Erasure & Safety

Recent OPM guidance prohibits recording trans status in official records. Community members warn this may:

  • Make it impossible to track safety outcomes in custody situations
  • Hide patterns of mistreatment or violence
  • Reduce accountability and oversight
  • Complicate advocacy efforts

If detained or in custody:

  • Try to contact community support immediately
  • Have emergency contacts memorized
  • Know your rights but prioritize immediate safety
  • Document everything you can remember afterward
  • Share experiences through trusted channels when safe
  • Consider avoiding travel through high-risk jurisdictions

Community networks are more important than ever for tracking patterns and protecting each other.

Building Support Circles

Community Wisdom

"Start small, build deep." - A principle of mutual aid networks

  • Begin with 3-4 trusted friends who can reliably support each other
  • Meet regularly, even when there's no immediate need
  • Share skills and teach each other what you know
  • Keep circles small enough to maintain trust and accountability
  • Connect circles to other circles through trusted bridges

Sharing Resources Safely

Our ancestors developed these practices for a reason:

  • Verify information through multiple community members
  • Share knowledge in person whenever possible
  • Use established community spaces and gatherings
  • Keep sensitive details offline unless necessary
  • Pass on both the what AND the how of support

Supporting Each Other

Time-tested patterns for sustainable care:

  • Check in regularly, not just in crisis
  • Share the load - rotate roles and responsibilities
  • Document what works (and what doesn't)
  • Build relationships before they're needed
  • Honor boundaries and capacity limits
  • Celebrate small victories and rest together

Emergency Response

Community protocols that have protected us:

  • Have multiple ways to reach each other
  • Establish clear signals for different needs
  • Know who can respond quickly and who needs more notice
  • Practice responses before they're needed
  • Keep emergency supplies distributed across trusted homes
  • Maintain current lists of safe spaces and helpers

Border & Travel Safety

Critical Advisory - January 2025

The U.S. State Department has removed trans, queer, asexual, and other identities from their travel guidance, now only referring to "LGB travelers". This institutional erasure increases risks for our trans and broader queer community members. Please take extra precautions and rely on community networks for current safety information.

Documentation Challenges - February 2025

Recent policy changes are affecting official documentation like passports. Community members report:

  • Unexpected gender marker reversions on passport renewals
  • Difficulties traveling with mismatched documentation
  • Impacts on accessing services and facilities abroad
  • Challenges with hotel check-ins and official verifications

If you're affected:

  • Keep copies of all previous valid documentation
  • Connect with legal advocacy networks before travel
  • Document all interactions and decisions
  • Share experiences through trusted channels
  • Consider postponing non-essential travel to uncertain jurisdictions
  • Have support contacts ready in any location you must visit
  • Research local LGBTQ+ organizations at your destination
  • Consider private accommodations where possible
  • Carry letters from healthcare providers if appropriate

Global Trans Rights Context - 2023

According to the Global Trans Rights Index, safety and legal protections vary dramatically by country:

  • Most protective countries: Malta, Portugal, Canada, Sweden, and Bolivia
  • Most dangerous countries: Guyana, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Malawi, and UAE
  • Key risk factors include: lack of legal protections, criminalization of gender expression, high rates of violence, and unreported crimes due to police hostility
  • Even in "safer" countries, trans people still face significant discrimination and violence

Always research current conditions and connect with local community networks before travel.

Active Situation

Border policies and practices are changing daily. Information here comes directly from community experiences and is updated as we receive new reports.

We're actively gathering and verifying information about:

  • Current border policies and risks (updated with community reports)
  • Travel safety strategies that are working right now
  • ID and document requirements based on recent experiences
  • Current enforcement patterns and legal rights
  • Active emergency contacts and support networks

This section is updated frequently as we receive new information from community members. What worked last week might not work today - please check back often and share your experiences through trusted channels.

Real-time Updates

For the most current information, connect with local support networks who are actively monitoring the situation.

Stay Connected

Join local support circles to get real-time updates and share experiences. What works one day might change the next - we keep each other safe by staying informed together.

Remember: These aren't just guidelines - they're living practices that have kept our communities alive and thriving. Add to them, adapt them, and pass them on.

Building Trust

Trust is built in small moments: showing up consistently, keeping confidences, and following through on commitments. Start small, be reliable, and grow from there.

Need Support?

Connect with a trusted community member to learn more about local support networks and resources. We're here to help each other thrive.

Support Resources

Find support services and help in our community.

Need Help Right Now?

If you need help right away, contact emergency services or a crisis hotline.

Border & Travel Safety

Information about: - Current border policies and risks - Travel safety tips and resources - ID and document help - Legal rights at borders and checkpoints - Emergency contacts and support

Support Groups

Places to connect with others and get support.

Mental Health Help

Find mental health providers and services.

Find legal help and advice.

Housing Help

Find housing assistance and shelters.

Money Help

Programs that can help with costs.

Online Support

Safe online places to find support.

Want to Help?

Know about support services? Share them with others.