Hi everyone, Courtney here from the team at Gender Wellness of Los Angeles. As summer comes to an end, I hope to leave you all with the realization that your very own queer community can be found anytime, anywhere. Enjoy!

Another Gender Wellness of Los Angeles X Trans* Lounge Event…

Our clients and friends at Trans Lounge* joined us the other weekend for “A Day of Gender Wellness”—hosted in conjunction with Gender Wellness of Los Angeles, Trans* Lounge, and Trans Defense Fund LA.

We hosted the event at the LA LGBT Center, where attendees had the chance to participate in two workshops:

>> Intro to Self-Defense with Trans Defense Fund LA 🏳️‍⚧️

>>Your Mental Health “Tool Box” with Gender Wellness of Los Angeles ⚒️

About the Workshops:

After learning some simple, yet powerful self-defense strategies from Los Angeles’ Trans Defense Fund, guests were invited to join our team upstairs for a more laid-back, arts & crafts event.

Our workshop, entitled “Your Mental Health Tool Box,” is designed to provide folks with “tools” for coping with anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms. We began by allowing guests to decorate their own personal tool box with the abundance of art supplies provided by our team.

Once the boxes were decorated to perfection, our team of therapists helped the group brainstorm coping tools for managing waves of anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Any tools (or positive messages) that inspired the attendees were written down on pieces of paper and placed in the box for later use. This way, when participants returned home, they could pull these written tools out of their boxes and employ them whenever challenging feelings arise.

We were pleasantly surprised by the joy and playfulness that emanated from our lovely group of participants. It was a pleasure to witness the lightness and community-building that filled the room. Folks chatted, made new friends, all while learning the importance of mental health coping skills.

The Importance of Community and Mental Health in the LGBTQIA+ Community

One of the key takeaways from this event is the undeniable power of community, especially for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals. Mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, disproportionately affect the LGBTQIA+ community. According to the Trevor Project, 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting s*icide in the past year, and rates of depression and anxiety remain high for transgender and nonbinary individuals in the U.S.

Community events like “A Day of Gender Wellness” provide safe spaces where transgender and gender-diverse people can connect with others who understand their unique experiences. Being surrounded by others who affirm their identity helps individuals feel seen, heard, and less isolated. It can even boost mental health by fostering a sense of belonging. Research shows that strong social support networks are crucial for improving mental health outcomes.

Mental health professionals who specialize in LGBTQIA+ issues recognize that community and support are vital components of healing and well-being. That’s why events like this are so important—they offer a chance to engage in self-care, build coping tools, and remind us all that we are not alone in this journey.

For this reason, our Gender Wellness of Los Angeles team absolutely loves to host events focused on uplifting Trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks. (Find our past “Speed Friending” event here).

Conclusion: The Power of Showing Up

The success of this event is a testament to the strength of our transgender and nonbinary community. It’s a reminder that even when the world feels overwhelming, we can find comfort, strength, and healing through the simple act of showing up—for ourselves and for each other.

To everyone who attended, thank you for taking part in this journey with us. Your presence and engagement are powerful reminders of why the work we do matters. Together, we can continue to create safe spaces, nurture mental health, and celebrate the beauty of our trans & non-binary community. ✨

Thank you for reading the GenWell blog. You can read more about our team here. If you or a loved one is struggling on the journey with gender identity, we ask you to reach out via our contact form or call our office at (818) 855-1105. We are fully committed to supporting your Gender Wellness.

Take good care,
—The GenWell Staff