Write Letters to Trans Folks

Reminding someone that they are seen, supported, and valued is a powerful message for trans folks.

What to write

• Let recipients know that they are valid and valued.
• Speak from the heart and share what you would tell a friend or what you would want to hear yourself when you were going through a difficult time.
• Consider sharing positive experiences around your own experience, especially if you are in a space that you never could have imagined when you were younger.
• Each card can be unique, or you can write the same message on each card.

Keep in mind

• Your message should use encouraging and positive positioning. (Think “You’re awesome!” and not “You’re not a bad person.”)
• Keep your message vague enough that the card won’t out anyone as trans to unsupportive family or roommates that might see it.
• Be careful not to infantilize the message or card.
• Do not include any information in which you can be easily identified. (Including your first name and home state/country is okay, if you choose to sign the card and add a bit of personalization.)

Sample messages

• “You are enough, always!”
• “Be strong, be beautiful, be proud, be you!”
• “You are so loved. Don’t ever forget that!”
• “I’m so proud of you, just for being you.”
• “You are a gift to this world. Keep being you!”
• “Stay strong, stay bold, stay true to yourself.”
• “You are powerful and valuable, and I'm rooting for you!”
• “I believe in you. Be true to who you are! —A friend”
• “I want you to know I see you and I support you. —Your friend from state/country”
• “You are an incredible person who is growing and changing. Keep pushing forward.”

Build community

Writing cards together is a wonderful way to build connections and celebrate our diverse community. Gather some people and join the hundreds of school genders & sexualities alliances (GSAs), LGBTQ+ employee resource groups, and organizations that have participated in group letter-writing.

Fill out the form below, and we'll send you some resources to help you get started!

Mail in your notes

Once you're ready to mail your notes, we recommend you stack them into a flat-rate mailer or box to send them in bulk.

Mail your notes to:

Point of Pride
PO Box 7824
Newark, DE 19714

Please be aware that if you mail your cards via FedEx to the PO Box, the shipment will error out unless you select "FedEx SmartPost," which uses the USPS system in the final leg of delivery.

Note: Many letter-writers also wish to cover the cost to process and ship the binders and femme shapewear these cards accompany. If you/your group would like to donate, we recommend $3 per card. This is the average cost of postage to mail a support package to a recipient within the United States. You may enclose a check payable to Point of Pride or make a donation online.

Why your support matters

All over the world, trans folks—particularly trans youth—face challenges simply by existing in systems that often don’t provide the support or protections for these folks to be able to not just live, but thrive.

In fact, when looking at trans youth, the difference a supportive community makes is huge. Those receiving support from parents in particular are more than 2 times as likely to report life satisfaction, nearly 5 times as likely to have high self-esteem, 4.5 times more likely to describe their mental health as “Very good” or “Excellent,” and 0% faced housing issues.

Conversely, those without support were 3 times more likely to suffer depression, 15 times more likely to attempt suicide and more than half of trans youth without supportive parents faced housing problems. (Source: transyouth.org)

Additionally, trans folks—particularly trans women of color—are at statistically higher risk of violence. The last several years have been the deadliest on record for trans folks, and that’s only including the deaths that are known. Tracking this violence is challenging because people may not be out or might be misgendered in obituaries.

Despite these challenges, trans folks have continued to make incredible contributions to society and become more visible every year. Thank you for taking the time to affirm and empower the next generation.