Building relationships with trans communities has benefits for any service provider. When providers are well-connected and trusted within trans communities, it is easier to make informed referrals, connect survivors with support, stay up-to-date on best practices, build professional partnerships, and more. Here are some suggestions for relationship building.
Finding communities and organizations
Get familiar with local organizations. Build connections with a range of local communities and resources, such as: advocacy organizations, community centers, healthcare clinics, trans-affirming bars, clubs, or social groups. Trans community members may gather and get support through informal social groups or events.
Ask trans clients where they are finding connection. Service providers who work directly with trans clients may find it helpful to ask clients where they are accessing knowledge and resources. What trusted community orgs do they get support from? What social media networks are they finding resources on? What other trans-affirming providers do they turn to?
Listen to multiple perspectives. Trans people are not a monolith. There may be many different communities of trans/nonbinary people in an area. They may have different needs and support systems. Consider meeting with local leaders – including drag performers, event coordinators, volunteers, and activists. Listen to their experiences and perspectives about their communities.
Building trust
Show up at events. Attending community events can be a helpful way to build connections. This might look like tabling at a conference/pride event/festival, going to a talk or webinar for education, or joining groups for other trans-affirming service providers and advocates. Showing up for others is also a way we build trust – this shows that we are there for their issues as well as our own.
Listen and demonstrate you are learning. Take time to learn from books, media, trainings, and other resources as well as from the people and organizations that you connect with. This helps show that you are open to change, that you are listening to their thoughts and feedback, and can help build trust.
Follow through. Ensure that you do what you say you will do. Follow up with organizations and individuals, so they know you are trying to build a relationship, not just extract information. If your organization receives training or feedback, take action to make appropriate changes and implement what has been shared.
Equitable partnerships
Be aware of power differences. Many culturally specific organizations, such as LGBTQ+ groups, have fewer resources than mainstream organizations. These groups are often asked to provide expertise for free. When working with other organizations, take into consideration power differences – including experiences of oppression, access to funding and other resources, and staff. “Moving from the Mainstream to the Margins: Lessons in Culture and Power” by Ruby White Starr provides an excellent background on the inequities between mainstream and culturally specific providers. This resource also provides information on how to recognize and address these issues.
Recognize strengths and limitations. Service providers may have strengths and knowledge in certain areas (for example, providing Spanish-language services, disability access, strong LGB connections/staff, etc.), and may already have relationships with trans communities. Recognize how these strengths can support trans communities. At the same time, consider what voices are missing and where providers could benefit from additional training/knowledge (for example, serving Black, disabled, Indigenous, or undocumented trans communities).
Understand barriers to services. Trans people face many barriers to accessing services, and providers should prioritize knowing what prevents trans communities from connecting with them. Is language on signs or websites trans-affirming? Is the physical office in an inaccessible location? Is there historical distrust or harm between this kind of service/support and trans communities? Develop strategies to mitigate these barriers.
Be open to feedback and learning. Service providers may not be aware of certain policies or practices that make trans clients feel unsafe or unwelcome. When someone shares feedback, try to take this in without defensiveness. Document feedback and consider how it might inform policy/practice changes. If possible, ask trans clients (and everyone) to give anonymous feedback about their experiences on a regular basis.
Trusting relationships are built over time. They may require changes to existing practices that create access barriers for trans communities. Prioritize continuous learning from staff, partner with trans community organizations, and meet trans and nonbinary community members where they are already accessing support or working toward change.
Resources
Beliefs, Bias, and Bumpers: Implicit and Explicit Roadblocks to Trans and LGBQ+ Welcoming Services – A FORGE webinar on how implicit and explicit bias can create barriers to welcoming services for trans and LGBQ+ people.
Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally – A guide from Advocates for Trans Equality (formerly the National Center for Transgender Equality) with practical tips for being a supportive ally.
Creating a Trans-Inclusive Workplace – A Harvard Business Review article with recommendations for making workplaces more inclusive of transgender employees.
4 Ways Funders Can Build Authentic Partnerships With Trans and Nonbinary Communities – A Stanford Social Innovation Review article on how funders can build equitable, trust-based partnerships with trans and nonbinary communities.
Patient Voices: Four Ways to Build Trust with Your Transgender Patients – A University of Utah Health article sharing transgender patients’ advice for building trust in health care.
Starr, R. W. (2018). Moving from the mainstream to the margins: Lessons in culture and power. Journal of Family Violence, 33(8), 551–557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-018-9984-1