[Image: A notebook page overlaying a teal background. Text: "survivor stories... 'Some of the best experiences I have are when I feel like my service providers are more humble about what they know, and that they don't know and that we can do this together.' Looking back, moving forward. Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026." FORGE logo.]

Survivors who shared there experiences with FORGE in listening sessions said that working with providers who were humble and open to learning helped to create "some of the best experiences" they've had.

#SAAM2026 #25YearsStronger #TransSurvivors #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth

[Image: A notebook page overlaying a teal background. Text: "Believe survivors about their identities and experiences. Looking back, moving forward. Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026." FORGE logo.]

Affirming trans survivors means listening. We may not always understand someone's identity or experience, but listening and believing someone makes a world of difference.

What is one thing you do to support trans and nonbinary survivors? #SAAM2026 #25YearsStronger #TransSurvivors

Trans people have always been a part of the sexual assault awareness movement. In this short video clip, FORGE's michael munson shares some of FORGE's early work around SAAM and sexual assault advocacy. #TransSurvivors #SAAM2026 #25YearsStronger #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth #SAAM

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 1 text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Refuge: teens and youth. questions in the wake of a break-up/down by Will M.S. 'you made me a bracelet of pink white and blue / knowing what those colors mean, / knowing who i am, / (knowing you disagreed?) / and so i asked what you were trying to say, / (was it a gesture of acceptance? / permission? / or guilt?) / what i know is that i never told you my new name. / you picked it up from my sister willingly. / i only told you what not to call me, / eventually you used that anyway. / (how could you?)' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 2 text: "About the Writer. Will M.S. I am a STEM undergraduate student who loves to write in their free time! I am the vice-president of my university's poetry club and my other hobbies include paining, staring at the clouds, and making collages and friendship bracelets. Even in the hardest times, I find it is important to remember: to be challenged is to be changed. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Will M.S. writes about the fallout from a relationship from the perspective of a young person - exploring the ways that our identities are seen and unseen in contradictory and sometimes deeply harmful ways. Read the full poem at forge.tips/zine #TransSurvivors

[Image: Green text over a purple background, alongside a photo of book covers for: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves (edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth), The Lilac People by Milo Todd, and GenderQueer Menopause by Lasara Firefox Allen. Text: "TDOV 2026. Visibility inclues... Reading trans books! Trans Rights Read-a-thon: forge.tips/trans-reads." FORGE logo.]

This year, Emil (FORGE) volunteered with the Trans Rights Read-a-thon and Oliver (LGBT National Help Center) reached out to the read-a-thon about collaborating around mental health resources. Read more: forge.tips/trans-reads

#TransSurvivors #TDOV #TransDayOfVisibility #TDOV2026

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 1 text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Refuge: teens and youth. haiku for myself, pre-transition by Ash Lev. 'I know it’s scary / But you’ll do it to find me / Thank you, my brave boy ' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 2 text: "About the Writer. Ash Lev. Ash Lev is an emerging butch writer and multi-media artist currently living in Tkaronto. Prominent themes in his work include queerness, transition, and childhood. In his free time, you can find Ash kissing his cats' heads, over-analyzing TV shows, or contemplating grad school. Find more of his work and publications at linktr.ee/ashlev. @ashhhlev. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Ash Lev's "haiku for myself, pre-transition" is a simple, touching expression of care for the past selves that have made our present selves possible. Find work from these talented trans and nonbinary youth in Issue #5 of the Trans Survivors Zine, at forge.tips/zine #TransSurvivors

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 1 includes Yannís-Yáriel A. Segura's art piece, 'Let Me Take Care Of You (Thank God It's You)': A couple gazes at each other longingly surrounded by colorful decorations. The blue woman on top has long black flowing hair with colorful highlights, and the pink person below her has long galactic curly hair filled with glitter. The woman is gently cleaning the person's bleeding heart with a rag, the person fully entrusting her to help them heal. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Yannís-Yáriel A. Segura. I'm a queer, disabled, BIPOC visual artist who loves to create work featuring femme and gender non-conforming people. My art explores themes of sexuality, queer identity, self expression and style through a colorful and whimsical lens. @ali3n_father. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Trans and nonbinary youth are living through a time of rising turmoil, and have often been the most visible in discussions restricting the rights of trans and nonbinary folks. Read Issue #5 of the Trans Survivors Zine, centering youth voices: forge.tips/zine #TransSurvivors

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 1 includes Qwynn Preston's art piece, 'Cage': In the lower right of the piece there is a black and white back with two needles piercing it. To the left of the back there are eight needles directed towards it. Above the needles is a painting of a bust with the ribs protruding and a man’s hand grabbing them. To the right of the bust is two hands grasping brown hair, one with a human scalp attached. The background is made up of black and white brush strokes. A red line and smoke surround the subjects of the piece. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Xavier Baptiste. I am a queer transgender student based in Toronto. I’m passionate about visual arts and use it as a way to express my identity. I hope to become an art teacher so I can share my knowledge and unique perspective with young minds. @qwart_2008. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Our next art highlight from Trans Survivors Issue #5 is Qwynn Preston's "Cage." This issue's theme, "Refuge," explores the isolation and connection so many trans and nonbinary youth are experiencing in our current culture of anti-trans hate. Read the issue at forge.tips/zine #TransSurvivors

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 1 text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Refuge: teens and youth. Does It Threaten You? by Xavier Baptiste. 'Does it threaten you? / The way when you come closer to approach my smile / you notice the hairs above my upper lip. / The deepening of my voice / How after you notice that I’m a boy / you still want to break your neck when I pass you by. / The anger that stirs within. / The confusion that follows. / The way we walked into the same restroom / The way you still want me / Does. It. Threaten. You.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 2 text: "About the Writer. Xavier Baptiste. Brooklyn born Afro-Hispanic transman, Xavier, at the end of the day is just a soul. Film, academic research, teaching, acting, dancing, and writing are mediums to speak his truth and center those often silenced. Outside of being a student, activist, and creative, he is the founder of Social Dislocation, a multidisciplinary organization that centers community, health, and housing. IG: @camp22love, TikTok: @socialdislocation. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Xavier Baptiste's "Does It Threaten You?" comes from our fifth issue of Trans Survivors: Refuge, with art and writing from trans and nonbinary youth. Read the full poem: forge.tips/zine. Join us in celebrating the work of these incredible artists and writers! #TransSurvivors

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 1 includes Adam Wise's art piece, 'I Am My Own Guide': A purple humanoid figure with a head made of a burst of white light stands against a field of swirling pink and blue. Pink and blue tendrils reach around the legs and torso of the purple figure. The figure holds one hand over its chest and the other over its belly. It has one foot raised, as if walking forward. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Two slides with a background image of a person holding flowers with their head bowed. Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Adam Wise. Adam Wise is a visual artist and storyteller. He expresses himself through digital illustration, comics, and bookmaking. Informed by his experience growing up and discovering queerness through the online art community, he seeks to make art that helps others along in their journeys the same way. IG: @a.w1zard, Tumblr: @a-wizard. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Trans Survivors Issue #5 focuses on "refuge" - These pieces reflect the isolation so many young people feel, along with the warmth of connection. Join us in celebrating the work of these incredible artists and writers throughout the month! forge.tips/zine #TransSurvivors #TransYouth

White text against a black background and FORGE logo. A photo of someone in a car handing their drivers license to another person with a clipboard. Text: "trans folks are having drivers licenses revoked in Kansas. why this matters for trans survivors: Survivors are stripped of their identity (documents); Survivors lose their independence and ability to escape harmful situations; Potential increased harassment on the streets and public transit; Feeling unsafe/targeted in public; Fear for the future and what other rights might be taken away."

White text against a black background and FORGE logo. An image of a person incarcerated person writing a letter from bed. Text: "incarcerated trans folks face forced detransition. why this matters for trans survivors: Incarcerated people's mental and physical health are at risk: Physical violence, loss of healthcare, isolation, and forced detransitioning; People on the outside are impacted by the violence to their community and loved ones; Increased threat the use of conversion therapy and forced detransitioning everywhere."

White text against a black background and FORGE logo. An image of a person reading news articles on their phone. Text: "the Epstein files highlight widespread abuse. why this matters for trans survivors: Survivors may be constantly reminded of their own trauma experiences; Survivors witness how others talk about sexual violence, including victim blaming and the dismissal of survivors' stories; Increased distrust in the government as the scale of abuse is demonstrated; Rise in misinformation about trans people and gender-affirming care."

White text against a black background and FORGE logo. An image of a person standing among buildings destroyed by war. Text: "U.S. involvement in war impacts trans people everywhere. why this matters for trans survivors: Direct harm toward trans and nonbinary people living in areas targeted by military violence; Fears about the safety of loved ones who are experiencing violence; Reminders of trauma history for those who have left areas impacted by war; Uncertainty about the future."

TRANS NEWS ROUNDUP: What should victim service providers know about news impacting trans/nonbinary communities this week? These are just a few of the recent events that are impacting trans and nonbinary communities. #TransSurvivors #TransNews

[Image: A photo of Dua Saleh, overlaying a black background. Text: "Dua Saleh. buzzin' by Dua Saleh. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

Dua Saleh is a Sudanese-American poet, actor, and singer, exploring identity and culture through genre-defying music. Discover new music from Black trans artists this Black Trans History Month! Listen at forge.tips/black-trans-artists
#BlackTransHistoryMonth #TransSurvivors #BlackTransHistory

[Image: Text on a dark green background, below an image of a ripe plum. Text: "Poetry has been hugely healing for me as I've recovered from horrendous domestic and intimate partner violence. I drew metaphors in the sand and said, no more accepting abuse as love. I feel like I've mostly transformed from trauma surviving to trans thriving, despite all odds and obstacles, and these poems are evidence of just how far I've grown. From Trauma Surviving to Trans Thriving: "Not Your Fucking Rehab" and "Protection" by Zoë Zack Dunning. forge.tips/trans-thriving." FORGE logo.]

Our newest Trans Survivors blog post features two poems from Zoë Zack Dunning: "Not Your Fucking Rehab" and "Protection." Read Zoë's work at forge.tips/trans-thriving. Connect with Zoë at allmylinks.com/mellifluouswriting!

#TransSurvivors #TransPoets #DVSurvivor #IPV

[Image: Text in a handwritten font on a purple background with a graphic of purple and yellow flowers. Text: "'No one is a burden; everyone deserves to love and be loved' Eli Fitzgerald" FORGE logo.]

“No one is a burden; everyone deserves to love and be loved” - Eli Fitzgerald, Youth and LGBTQ+ Project Coordinator at Positively UK (@positivelyuk.bsky.social) #TransSurvivors #TransCommunity

[Image: White cutout text against a black background. Slide 1 includes two photos of young trans people hanging out in a group. Slide 1 text: "Call for Submissions: Trans Survivors. Issue #5: Teens & Youth. Share your writing and art! Open to contributors age 24 and under!; Poetry, art, and short fiction/nonfiction (under 1000 words); Submit through Feb. 1st; $25 contributor payment. forge.tips/submit." FORGE logo.]

[Image: White cutout text against a black background. Text: "Trans Survivors Digital Zine. Upcoming submission windows: Teens & Youth: Jan 13 - Feb 1st; Race & Culture: April; Death & Grief: July; Disability & Health: October. forge.tips/submit." FORGE logo.]

Trans and nonbinary youth: we want to hear from you! For this issue of the Trans Survivors Zine, we invite submissions from trans and nonbinary youth age 24 and younger. Find full submission guidelines at forge.tips/submit! #TransSurvivors #TransWriters #TransArtists #TransYouth

[Image: White text on a black background. Text: "'Community is the cure. They’re trying to divide and conquer, but we’re stronger together.' - Bo" FORGE logo.]

"Community is the cure. They’re trying to divide and conquer, but we’re stronger together." - Bo

#TransSurvivors #Transgender #NonBinary #TransJoy

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 includes Kipp LL Wheeler's 'We Protect Each Other.' A chrocheted rainbow flail is embroiered with the phrase "we protect each other." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Kipp LL Wheeler. Kipp LL Wheeler is a transmale queer artist, residing in Kentucky. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Art concentration in Painting and Printmaking from Eastern Kentucky University, currently working towards a Master of Instructional Design. He frequents art festivals/fairs under the business name Shark’s Treasures. IG: @sharks_treasures; Bluesky: @sharks-treasures; Facebook: @Shark’s Treasures. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

"I love how our community finds ways to protect each other." Find Kipp at @sharks-treasures.bsky.social and the full zine at forge.tips/zine!

#TransSurvivors #TransArtists #TransPoets #T4T

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 includes Noah Stang-Osborne's 'Mementos From Our Last Night.' A watercolor painting with a grey, cloudy background depicts a person's bandaged ankle above scissors and a broken white object. A phone with a cracked screen plays music on the right. A hotel key card peeks from the bottom of the frame. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Noah Stang-Osborne. Noah is a multi media artist and big feeler. His bachelors in art therapy informs his expressive approach to art making. In xyr art xe explores themes of grief, survivorship, disability and community. @art._.by.noah. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

About his piece, "Mementos From Our Last Night," Noah shares: "This painting is an expression of pain, created shortly after Noah got out of xyr abusive relationship. Despite the reminders of trauma there is light coming through the storm clouds." forge.tips/zine

#TransSurvivors #TransArtists

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Relationships. Damn The Roses by Jackson Fortner Hill. 'There's some special place in my brain to remember all the things about you that I would rather not / I remember which rose pastry you love the most and how you held it to my lips for me to taste / I remember the stop sign, the scar, your elbow / And the way you slid a butterfly wing into my left-breast pocket along with the flowers and grass bits which I burned and smoked away next year left only with sparks by candlelight' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Writer. Jackson Fortner Hill. Jackson Fortner Hill is a seasoned artist with two decades of experience in creating and selling thought-provoking artwork. As a queer artist, his dynamic approach to materials and techniques reflects a deep commitment to self-expression and an ongoing dialogue with both the body and the environment. With each piece, Jackson invites viewers to engage with the nuances of the human experience, offering a unique perspective that resonates on both a personal and universal level. @attack.of.the.flapjack. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Jackson Fortner Hill's "Damn The Roses" explores the complexity of remembering in the aftermath of a relationship. Find the full poem in Issue #4 of the Trans Survivors Zine, at forge.tips/zine

#TransSurvivors #TransPoets

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 includes Oliver Chapman's 'Wedding Bells.' On a blue background, drawn in black are two masculine figures in suits embrace in a tender kiss. Surrounding them are splatters of white, light blue, medium blue, and dark blue to imitate throwing rice or flowers on newlyweds. forge.tips/zine."]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Oliver Chapman. I am a gay trans man who loves being creative in all forms, including art, writing, and photography. Most of my stories focus on mental health issues and queer identities, as I aim to bring accurate representation of all sorts of LGBTQ+ people. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Issue #4 of the Trans Survivors Zine explores relationships in all their forms. Oliver Chapman's "Wedding Bells" captures the depth of emotion when queer love and connection are expressed and honored. Read the zine: forge.tips/zine

#TransSurvivors #TransArtists

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Relationships. How Jazmine Sullivan Helped Me Appreciate and Come Out to My Mother Again by Maya Williams. '“I’m no longer a Black woman, but will always root for Black women,” / she was concerned about me not calling myself Black. I ease her worry, / “I’m a Black nonbinary person.” Sighing, she said, “Don’t scare me like that again.” I’m glad she only cared about the word that matters.' forge.tips/zine."]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Writer. Maya Williams. Maya Williams (ey/they/she) is a religious Black multiracial nonbinary suicide survivor who served as Portland, Maine's poet laureate for a 2021-2024 term. Follow more of eir work at mayawilliamspoet.com. @emmdubb16. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

In Maya Williams's poem, unexpected means lead us back to connection. Read the full poem in the Relationships issue of the Trans Survivors Zine, at forge.tips/zine and connect with Maya at @emmdubb16.bsky.social and mayawilliamspoet.com!

#TransSurvivors #TransPoets

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 includes Marlowe Olsen's 'Home With You.' Copper etching intaglio print depicting two hands intertwined and resting amongst the forest floor. There are beetles and roly-polys crawling on and around them and an assortment of flowers, mushrooms, and leaves are all present and playing an integral role in the process of decay and rebirth. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Marlowe Olsen. Marlowe is a genderqueer artist living in Madison, WI. They enjoy live music, reading graphic novels, and the sunshine.@earthtwomars. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

Check out the amazing cover art from Issue #4 of the Trans Survivors Zine! Marlowe Olsen's "Home With You" captures themes of rebirth and connection with nature - a different kind of relationship than many of those depicted in the zine! forge.tips/zine #TransSurvivors #TransArtists

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 includes Aspen's art piece, 'you can learn good things from bad people': Collaged, hand-decorated paper depics several birch trees and four red palms climbing a colorful background. Text reads: 'you can learn good things from bad people.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

[Image: Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. Aspen. Aspen scaredlittlebug is an agender zinester and bug enthusiast whose art can take years to finish. In the decade since moving to so-called Denver, it’s been drawing, collaging, and hanging out around ponds. You can find him at Denver Zinefest, or outside taking pictures of dragonflies. IG: @scaredlittlebugzines. tumblr: scaredlittlebug. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

"My piece is about surviving emotional and sexual abuse that started in my childhood at the hands of trans adults. It's unfortunately been necessary to untangle my gender/sexual identity from my abuse, and justify the reality of my identity." - Aspen forge.tips/zine

#TransSurvivors #TransArtists

[Image: Two slides with a light blue background. Slide 1 includes August Webber's painting, 'we can make it': Two baby goats are in front of a partial barbed wire fence and surrounded by dead grass. One of them is tangled in the wire and bleeding as the other tries to drag them by the ear. In the distance, there is bright green grass and light shining through the storm. forge.tips/zine."]

[Slide 2 text: "About the Artist. August Webber. August (they/he/she) is a 24 year old trans artist in the SF Bay Area. They work in theatre education and enjoy using various mediums to create art, including music, poetry, sewing, crochet, painting, sculpting, etc. Art is an important and daily aspect of their life. @aug.aries. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.]

We're so excited to announce the launch of Issue #4 of the Trans Survivors Zine! Our first highlighted artist is August Webber and their piece, "we can make it." Find the full zine at forge.tips/zine! #TransSurvivors #T4T #TransArtists

[Image: White text overlaying a photograph of dark green leaves. Text: "webinar recording. Navigating COVID and Trauma: A Conversation on Boundaries, Healing, and Community Care. forge.tips/covid-and-trauma" FORGE logo.]

Many trans survivors are navigating the effects of multiple forms of trauma, disability, and isolation, while trying to care for ourselves and others. Watch the webinar on COVID and traum: forge.tips/covid-and-trauma #TransSurvivors #StillMasking

[Image: White text overlaying an orange and purple sunset background. Text: "Resource highlight: Trans Awareness Week: Nov 13 - 19, 2025. Mending the Rainbow: Working with the Native LGBT/Two-Spirit Community. fforge.tips/niwrc." NIWRC logo. FORGE logo.]

This #TransAwarenessWeek, check out this resource from the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. This webinar is designed for tribal communities and provides culturally based responses to the needs of Native LGBT/2S survivors. forge.tips/niwrc #TransSurvivors

[Image: White text overlaying a dark blue background. A comic book graphic of two hands forming a heart. Text: "Celebrate trans lives - today and every day." FORGE logo.]

We don't need to wait for awareness days or weeks to celebrate trans people and our communities. Let's celebrate today and every day. #TransSurvivors #TransAwarenessWeek #TDOR

background image of two people smiling at each other against a snowy landscape. Text: "Coping Strategies for the Holiday Season. read the blog post: forge.tips/holiday-tips." FORGE logo.

A person wearing headphones while riding the bus. Text: "Grounding: tune into your surroundings. forge.tips/holiday-tips." FORGE logo.

A close-up of a person's hands while knitting. Text: "Create a routine, even when we might not have control over our surroundings. forge.tips/holiday-tips." FORGE logo.

Two people walking away from the camera on a snowy street. Text: "Use tapping or movement to connect with our physical bodies. forge.tips/holiday-tips." FORGE logo.

The holidays can be a time of excitement and connection, but they’re also often a time of heightened stress. Read the blog post on coping strategies: forge.tips/holiday-tips

#TransSurvivor #TransSurvivors #Transgender #NonBinary

[Image: Green text overlaying a tan background with graphics of line-drawn flowers. Text: "Intimate Partner Violence, Authoritarianism, and Trans Lives. Rescheduled! Panel Discussion. october 14th, 2025 - 6 - 7:30 pm EST. Register on zoom! forge.tips/IPV-trans-lives" FORGE logo.]

RESCHEDULED: our upcoming panel on IPV, authoritarianism, and trans lives is now scheduled for October 14th, 2025, at 6 pm EST. Sign up at forge.tips/IPV-trans-lives

#TransSurvivors #DomesticViolence #IPV #DVSurvivor #ViolencePrevention

[Image: Against a yellow background, a photo of two people sitting in the sun. On the left is a person in a wheelchair with a headband and long brown hair. On the right is a person with short hair and glasses. Text: "Call for submissions. Trans Survivors: Issue #4: Relationships - digital zine. Poetry, art, and short fiction/nonfiction; Subs open through Sept. 8th; $25 contributor payment. forge.tips/submit." FORGE logo.]

There's still time to submit to issue #4 of the Trans Survivors Zine! This issue is focused on relationships of all kinds. Find full submission guidelines at forge.tips/submit

#TransSurvivors #Transgender #Trans #Healing #TransJoy #Poetry #Fiction #FlashFiction #Nonfiction