JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Queer Trans Project, a Jacksonville-based, trans-led nonprofit that provides free gender-affirming resources to people across the country, was founded by 26-year-old Black trans organizer Cielo Sunsarae (pronounced See-el-oh Sun-suh-ray).
Since 2021, The Queer Trans Project has distributed over $500,000 worth of gender-affirming items.
“We look like the people that we serve. So that’s why we’re youth-led, we’re BIPOC-led, and we’re trans-led,” said Sunsarae (they/them). “And the resources are accessible to everyone. We provide resources to trans folks all across the United States.”
The organization shared a YouTube video with News4JAX showcasing some of its work.
Among the highlights, the nonprofit hosts an annual Trans Resource Fair in Jacksonville, has been featured in Rolling Stone, and was in a recent national campaign with The Trevor Project, a well-known suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ people.
The Queer Trans Project also helps cover the cost of flights for those seeking gender-affirming care.
Those like Angelique Godwin, who was able to fly to her surgery with her mother, thanks to The Queer Trans Project.
“It was so dope to be able to have my mom with me and to have her be able to be there for me in that manner,” Godwin said. “It was a rather costly trip that this wonderful organization helped me overcome that obstacle so that I could have the best recovery possible and the best journey to my surgery possible.”
The Queer Trans Project also provides signature Build-A-Queer kits to transgender and non-binary individuals in all 50 states. They are free, customized kits filled with life-changing, gender-affirming items.
“We definitely wanna provide a space for people to know that you’re seen, you’re loved and you have the right to be who you are,” said Queer Trans Project Board Member Deborah Coffy (they/she). “Regardless of any obstacles that come that way. We would love to be there with you during your journey.”
To learn more about The Queer Trans Project, including more about flight assistance and the Build-A-Queer kits, visit queertransproject.org.
