Gender Benders

Gender Benders is a grassroots organization for transgender and gender diverse folks in the Southeastern US. We are based in Upstate, SC and we have chapters and partner organizations in Hattiesburg, MS, Clemson, SC, and Hendersonville, NC. Gender Benders started as a group of 3 folks talking about what needs we had as trans and gender diverse people living in an area with no existing resources or support networks - and what we could realistically do to meet those needs with no money. From those conversations we developed a three pronged approach to serving our people. The first leg of what we do is connecting people to the resources they need to lead full and healthy lives. The second leg of what we do is engaging in activism and education work to help create safer communities for our people. Lastly, the third leg of what we do is hold intentional space for people to develop relationships with other trans and gender diverse people who can serve as a support system for each other. We still don't have much money, but today Gender Benders serves over 550 people from across the Southeast.