Quick Start Guide

• Join support groups or online communities to share experiences and get advice.

  • Support Groups

    • TEC Gender Expansive Virtual Support Group: Therapy-led virtual support group for T+ community

    • Non-Binary Pals: Peer-based support group for non-binary, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming folks 

    • True Brothers: Peer-based group supporting individuals leaning towards a trans-masculine gender identity.

    • True Selves: Transgender, peer-based support group focusing on all aspects of the transgender spectrum from gender issues to understanding yourself and your community

    • Oasis: QTPOC Community Series: Oasis is a monthly communal potluck for queer and trans people of color (QTPOC) to find, create, and sustain community, joy, and healing. 

  • LGBT+ Centers

    • Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice Princeton, NJ 

    • Bergen County LGBTQ+ Alliance Virtual

    • Edge New Jersey Denville, NJ 

    • Hudson Pride Center Jersey City, NJ 

    • Newark LGBTQ Community Center Newark, NJ 

    • The Pride Center of New Jersey Highland Park, NJ

    • QSpot LGBT Community Center Asbury Park, NJ 

    • Sam & Devorah Foundation for Transgender Youth Virtual 

    • Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service Cherry Hill, NJ 

• Find a healthcare provider experienced in gender affirming care. 

  • Valley Health System Paramus, NJ

  • PROUD Gender Center of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ

  • Babs Saperstein PROUD Center Somerset, NJ

  • Proud Center at Community Medical Center Toms River, NJ

  • Atlanticare LGBTQ+ Atlantic City, NJ

  • Jefferson Pride Care Haddonfield, NJ

  • GSE Gender Affirming Care Map

• Discuss your goals with your provider and explore hormone therapy options, if desired. 

  • Remember: Medical transition is not a requirement to validate your gender identity!

• Legal Name Change: File for a name change through your county court. Forms and instructions are available online at the Transgender NJ Gov Site.

  • Garden State Equality's guide for name changes here. 

• Gender Marker Change*: Update your birth certificate, driver’s license, and other legal documents. New Jersey allows gender-neutral “X” markers. Forms and instructions are available online at Transgender NJ Gov Site. 

• Birth Certificate Change: If you were born in New Jersey, you can follow these steps to update your birth certificate here

• Social Security Card:  To update your name on your Social Security card you must first get your name legally changed. Then you can follow the steps here. 

*Given the current administration's Executive Orders regarding gender restrictions, we advise against changing your gender marker at this time especially if you have plans to travel. Legal challenges are in the works but are causing delays. 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR NJ TRANS/NONBINARY PEOPLE WITH X GENDER MARKER:

Trump's team has issued an Executive Order declaring that the US government would only recognize a person's assigned sex at birth. This has changed federal laws regarding the X gender marker on government IDs such as passports.

At this time, state laws still stand, meaning in NJ you can obtain an X gender marker on your NJ issued driver's license, which can be used for domestic flights. However, as of May 7th of this year, you will need a "Real ID," as opposed to a standard issued license, to fly. People without a "Real ID" can only continue to fly domestically by using a federal passport.

As such, for those people whose X marked passport requests have been denied or are currently seized, or if you have no passport at all, you may be at risk of being unable to fly, even domestically.

As a precaution, we urge you to make an appointment to obtain a "Real ID" ASAP to prevent the risk of being unable to fly. DMV appointments are back logged and filling up fast. Please make sure you take the precautions to protect your ability to travel as we continue to monitor current and prospective orders regarding trans and nonbinary forms of identification. 

• Notify your employer, school, and other institutions about your name and gender changes.

• Update bank accounts, health insurance, and other essential records.

• New Jersey has strong anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender individuals in employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations thanks to NJ Law Against Discrimination (LAD).

• If you need legal help, you can obtain assistance from organizations like Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ).

• If you believe your civil rights were violated, you can file a complaint with the NJ Division on Civil Rights within 180 days of the incident.