Resources for Trans and Nonbinary Youth and Families
By Gus Hernandez
Trans and nonbinary youth across the country are facing shrinking access to gender‑affirming care. However, San Diego continues to demonstrate that community is one of our strongest forms of resilience. Even as systems shift and challenges emerge, local LGBTQ+ organizations are stepping up to ensure that young people and their families have the support and resources they need.
The San Diego LGBT Community Center and its community partners have built a robust network of programs and services that affirm identity, promote well‑being, and strengthen families. Today, that network is more critical than ever. Whether a trans or nonbinary youth is navigating their first steps in coming out, seeking mental health support, or looking for connection with peers who understand their experience, San Diego offers a wide range of services designed to meet them where they are.
The San Diego LGBT Community Center
Here are some of the local resources at The Center available to trans and nonbinary youth, and how families can access support, community, and guidance across the region. Visit thecentersd.org for more information.
Hillcrest Youth Center & South Bay Youth Center
The San Diego LGBT Community Center operates two dedicated spaces for LGBTQ+ youth ages 10–24: the Hillcrest Youth Center in Hillcrest and the South Bay Youth Center in Chula Vista. Both youth centers create affirming environments where young people can access drop‑in hours, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and social activities designed to foster belonging and empowerment.
Staffed by The Center’s affirming youth services team, HYC and SBYC are here to ensure that trans and nonbinary youth have a place to be fully themselves. They offer support groups, workshops on navigating life transitions, health education, and creative programs that help youth build resilience and form supportive friendships.
Project TRANS
Project TRANS at The Center is one of the longest‑running and most comprehensive transgender service programs in San Diego. It provides peer‑led support groups, community‑building events, one‑on‑one navigation assistance, and referrals to gender‑affirming providers. The program welcomes transgender, nonbinary, gender‑expansive, and questioning individuals of all ages and identities, and ensures that every person seeking support is met with respect, affirmation, and care.
Staff and volunteers with lived experience guide participants in accessing resources such as legal name and gender marker changes, navigating health care systems, securing mental health referrals, and finding community connections. For youth especially, Project TRANS offers a safe environment to explore identity and build confidence.
Behavioral Health Services (BHS)
For youth and families experiencing emotional stress, trauma, or anxiety related to identity, BHS at The Center offers LGBTQ‑affirming counseling and mental health services. Care is provided by therapists who understand the unique challenges trans and nonbinary youth face. Services include individual therapy, family counseling, crisis support, and referrals to affirming providers throughout the region.
Latin@x Services and Mi Familia
Mi Familia is a culturally responsive support group designed for Spanish‑speaking families of LGBTQ+ youth, including trans and nonbinary young people. Facilitated through Latin@x Services at The Center, Mi Familia helps parents, caregivers, and extended family members understand gender identity, build affirming communication skills, and strengthen family relationships.
Latin@x Services at The Center offers a sense of belonging, connection, and cultural understanding for our Spanish-speaking community members, and provides case management and referrals to a network of Spanish-speaking resources.
PACT: Parents and Caregivers of Trans & Nonbinary Youth
PACT is a dedicated support group at The Center for adults raising transgender and nonbinary youth. Focused on education, empowerment, and community care, PACT helps caregivers understand gender‑affirming care, navigate school and healthcare systems, and connect with other families walking similar paths. PACT also works closely with Project TRANS and Youth Services to ensure holistic support for each child and family.
Support for Youth, Families, and Caregivers
TransFamily Support Services
TransFamily Support Services provides comprehensive case management, school advocacy, and family support. They work directly with families to navigate everything from name and gender‑marker changes to ensuring school districts meet legal requirements for safety and inclusion. Their staff are known for walking families through each step of their journey with personal, informed guidance.
Gender Advocacy Project – North County LGBTQ Resource Center
For youth and families in North County, the Gender Advocacy Project provides support groups, peer mentorship, training, and advocacy. Their work includes helping youth navigate local school systems, providing educational workshops for caregivers, and offering affirming community spaces outside of San Diego’s urban core.
A Promise to Our Community
In a moment when gender‑affirming care is under increasing pressure nationwide, San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community is responding with strength, compassion, and unity. The Center and its partners remain committed to protecting access to life‑saving care, ensuring that every trans and nonbinary young person knows they belong, they are valued, and they are never alone.
For trans and nonbinary youth and families seeking support, there are many open doors in San Diego. And together, we will keep them open.