Trans Empowerment Project

Founded in 2016 in Knoxville, TN, Trans Empowerment Project is a national nonprofit that serves the trans and gender non-conforming communities by providing access to vital resources in times of crisis. Our wide range of programs can connect clients in need with safe shelter, food, clothing, and more. Our mission is to elevate the trans and gender non-conforming communities out of crisis and into empowerment, in order to fight for our own liberation and autonomy. 

Our founder, a trans man of color, experienced firsthand the hardships and discrimination faced by members of these communities and wanted to do something to help. He started Trans Empowerment Project with a clothing swap, as a way to provide free, gender-affirming clothing to folks in Knoxville and the surrounding areas and have continued to host them twice a year since. In 2019 we asked supporters to jump on board and host clothing swaps in their cities. We are proud to say that we had 4 people sign on to host in March 2019, and 11 people raised their hands to join in November 2019! We have also expanded our programs to include mentorship, inmate advocacy, crisis response, and more! 

To learn more about Trans Empowerment Project or how you can get involved, please visit our website or sign up for our email newsletter!