Let’s face it, it ain’t easy being trans. We face intense levels of violence and discrimination. Many of us risk everything to come out – our jobs, the support of our loved ones, and our safety. It seems as if every time we take a step forward, someone wants to push us backwards. These headwinds can make it really difficult to establish and maintain a solid financial footing.
This is why it’s so important for those of us who have the means to reach out to lend a hand to those of us who don’t.
TCNE manages the Ken Garber Memorial First Event Fund to provide scholarships for First Event. The fund helps ensure that all transgender people in the greater Boston area can take advantage of the amazing opportunities for growth, discovery, and connection that First Event offers. Don’t take our word for it – hear what some of our scholarship applicants have to say:
I’m a homeless trans Latina living in Western Mass and haven’t been to any other transgender conference beside the QTPOC one at my local university. It would be incredible to attend one of this magnitude.
I do not have the money to attend an event like this with my son, but I really want to expose him to an environment where he is not the minority, and a place we can both learn about this new journey we are taking together.
This is my first year coming out and I’m starting my transition. I live alone, have very few supports and am on food stamps, so I won’t be able to afford attending First Event without a scholarship. I really want to go to First Event to connect with other trans people and to learn things that will help me in my transition. I would love the chance to be there.
Anybody can apply for a scholarship to First Event. Additionally, TCNE partners with Boston Health Care for the Homeless and several youth and family organizations to ensure all in our community can attend. Thanks to your generous support, we doubled the number of First Event scholarships in 2019. With our new transit-accessible location, we expect the demand for scholarships in 2020 to be even higher.
Any donation helps:
- $20 gives one person the opportunity to attend a day of workshops.
- $125 allows an entire family to attend as they seek to support a transgender child
- $300 gives one person the full immersive First Event experience, a potentially life-changing opportunity to explore their true identity.
The Ken Garber Memorial First Event Fund is administered by TCNE, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.