Transgender people face unique stressors, particularly when their gender identity is not affirmed in their family or in their community. Trans people also experience high rates of discrimination and harassment and, as a result, tend to experience poor mental health outcomes. Studies have shown that they are at greater risk for suicide as they are twice as likely to think about and attempt suicide than LGB people. Because gender identity is not recorded on death certificates, the exact number of trans people who die by suicide each year is difficult to determine.
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis—for the trans community, by the trans community. Founded in 2014, the Hotline remains the only peer-support service in the country in which all operators are transgender. The Hotline has evolved into a comprehensive resource that employs trans people working as paid operators and team leads.
In time, Trans Lifeline came to recognize that the epidemic of suicide in the trans community is inextricably tied to the economic justice issues trans people face at alarming rates, and that meaningful emotional support often requires financial support as well. The Microgrants program offers low-barrier grants to trans people for legal name changes and updated government identification documents, as well as specialized support for incarcerated and undocumented trans people.
Generous Congregation
Our practice here at UUSM is to dedicate half of our non-pledge Sunday offerings to organizations doing work in the world that advances our Unitarian Universalist principles; the other 50% of the offering is used to support the life of our church.
UUSM’s Generous Congregation supports our church community. And together, we uplift the reach and impact of vital organizations doing work we could not do on our own. This month, half of our Sunday offerings will go to the life-changing work of Trans Lifeline. With your support, we can keep these vital services available to those in our community who need them most.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and Trans Lifeline. To give right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
