Welcome to Love Transcends, a special project by Cosmopolitan that celebrates the resilience, wisdom, hope, and joy of the trans community as its members navigate romantic love. Through in-depth interviews and personal essays, trans people share what it’s like to date, hook up, break up, and fall in and hold onto love in the midst of sweeping anti-trans legislation and attacks on personal safeties and freedoms of expression. Click here to see the entire collection.
Since January, the current U.S. presidential administration has overseen a wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ executive orders erasing federal recognition of gender identity; restricting access to gender-affirming care; gutting protections in education, health care, and public accommodations; and banning transgender people from the military—to name a few. All of which can make life for trans folks in America feel more precarious than ever.
But help does exist for those in need—or for those just feeling uncertain and alone—in the form of groups working tirelessly to safeguard transgender rights and freedoms. Keep reading for a Cosmopolitan- and GLAAD-vetted list of places to get crucial health services, information on legal aid, and access to online and in-person communities.
(And even if you’re not trans yourself, you can still be a powerful ally by volunteering, donating, signing up for newsletters, and supporting these organizations in countless other ways.)
GLAAD is a nonprofit that works to ensure accurate and inclusive representation of LGBTQIA+ people in media and culture. The organization consults with entertainment studios and news outlets (including Cosmopolitan), runs public outreach and engagement campaigns, and elevates LGBTQIA+ voices through storytelling and advocacy. They’re a major source for comprehensive data and media analysis, as well as tools that track LGBTQIA+ legislation. They also host events, award shows, and more.
The Trans Legislation Tracker monitors and documents anti-transgender legislation at all levels of the U.S. government. Want to know if your state bans transgender people from accessing health care? Or whether it allows trans students to participate in sports? Click here to check. The site also provides data and tools to help you understand (and engage with) proposed and passed bills.
The biggest trans-led organization in the country, the Transgender Law Center advocates for the rights and self-determination of transgender and gender nonconforming people. It empowers communities under attack—including BIPOC, disabled, and HIV+ individuals—through leadership programs and advocacy. It can also provide legal aid, in some cases representing trans people in lawsuits related to employment, health care, immigration, and more.
This trans-led nonprofit is dedicated to advancing transgender rights through government advocacy, legal services, voter engagement, and community organizing. In addition to working with policymakers to draft laws that protect the trans community, the organization also offers individual support—it can assist people with updating legal documents and provides legal services for name changes.
This trans-led hotline offers personalized emotional and financial support to members of the community. It has trained hundreds of operators and answered hundreds of thousands of calls from trans people seeking resources, crisis assistance, and more.
Founded by Dwyane Wade and his daughter Zaya, Translatable is an online community created to spark meaningful conversations between trans youth and their families. Its mission is to foster understanding, celebrate self-expression, and strengthen family bonds. You can check out the website or Instagram page to take part in its projects.
Launched in 2024, Here We Are amplifies the voices of transgender Americans. Through videos and personal narratives, it promotes trans visibility and advocacy, encouraging open and authentic expressions of gender identity across the nation. Watch its videos and explore its stories to learn more about the larger trans community.
The Trevor Project is a mental health and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth. It provides 24/7 counseling services, advocates for protective laws, and conducts research studies to ensure the safety of the LGBTQIA+ community. Visitors can get involved by volunteering as crisis counselors; exploring the resource center for answers to common questions about identity, mental health, and safety; or connecting with peers through TrevorSpace—an online support community for LGBTQIA+ youth.
PFLAG is a nationwide organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people and their families. With hundreds of local chapters across the country, PFLAG offers community events, educational workshops, and legislative advocacy for individuals and families seeking connection and support.
The Human Rights Campaign—the largest LGBTQIA+ civil rights organization in the country—advocates for equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ people. It mobilizes voters to elect leaders, lobby for inclusive legislation, and work to increase public understanding and visibility of the community. You can join by making monthly donations, signing up for the newsletter, attending events like marches and rallies, and so much more.
The American Civil Liberties Union works to protect people’s individual freedoms and advocates for reproductive justice, transgender equality, immigrants, and many other communities. Its legal team challenges many laws restricting gender-affirming medical care, military service, the legal recognition of name and gender marker changes, and more. You can visit its site to sign petitions and send messages to government officials, reach out for legal assistance, and more.
