Community involvement is a wonderful way to form support networks and access resources. The following groups and spaces are intended to be safe and affirming for all gender identities and are a great way to make friends or build a community support system.
Trans Empowerment Hours
Trans Empowerment Hours are a biweekly social space celebrating trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and gender questioning identities (fall-spring). Each week has a different theme or activity (e.g. game nights, crafts, field trips, etc.). To see what's planned for this quarter, check out the RCSGD on Shoreline!
Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network (SBTAN)
The Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network is Santa Barbara's largest community-based trans organization. Check out their website for local resources and ways to get involved! SBTAN is also responsible for local trans programming! They host weekly trans social and discussion spaces through Lisa’s Place.
Online Spaces
Trans and Nonbinary GroupMe
This chat is run by the RCSGD's student staff and serves as a space for questions and discussion around identity, resources, transitioning, social meetups, and more.
Trans @ UCSB
LGBTQ+ UCSB Discord Server
This student-run server has many channels to chat, share events, plan meetups, and make friends. It is the largest LGBTQIA+ chat at UCSB with over 500 members. Open to anyone interested in LGBTQIA+ advocacy and events!
LGBTQ+
Other Ways to Get Involved
A.S. Trans and Queer Commission
The Trans and Queer Commission, or TQCOMM, is an entity of UCSB’s Associated Students (AS) dedicated to serving the LGBTQIA+ community on campus. TQCOMM provides funding and support for many of UCSB’s major LGBTQIA+ events. They also host UCSB’s Pride Week celebration every Spring! Reach out to TQCOMM if you want to receive funding for an event or bring an issue to the attention of student representatives. If you want to join the commission as a board member, keep an eye out for election announcements on their Instagram.