“I Can be a Voice for People”: meaning making among transgender grassroots organizers in the US Southeast

Based on qualitative interviews with 15 transgender grassroots organizers across the United States Southeast, this project explores the experiences of those facilitating peer support for trans people. Social support is often cited as a resource for mitigating the effects of bias and discrimination for transgender people. Yet, the available research fails to account for the experiences of those who are providing or facilitating this support, often other trans people in their communities. This study explores the experiences of trans grassroots organizers and the meaning they attribute to their experiences doing this work. Findings suggest that more resources are needed to sustain grassroots work in trans communities, and to create a livable environment for trans communities.