MISSION STATEMENT

Providing support, resources & connection to the transgender community.

VISION

Together, we are building a community that is safe, inclusive, and interconnected for folks who are transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, two spirit, genderqueer, gender diverse, and gender expansive. We also welcome our community allies and aspiring allies to join us in this community we are building together. 

OVERVIEW

Trans Northland is a community-based non-profit organization that aims to build a thriving community where people who are transgender, non-binary, intersex, gender non-conforming, two spirit, genderqueer, gender diverse, and gender expansive are safe from violence, harassment, and discrimination; valued for all of who they are; and have an equitable place in the larger community. Specifically, Trans Northland focuses on providing three primary services to the transgender community and its allies: support, advocacy, and connection.

HISTORY

Our story began with the Lake Superior Transgender Group, created by Nathalie Crowley, Shelby-Lyn James, and community members. It was this group that originally started offering a regular, monthly support group to our community. This group also helped to create and facilitate a Friends, Family & Allies group.

Trans Plus evolved from there in the spring of 2015, in the basement of the Building For Women in downtown Duluth. Initially, we focused solely on continuing to provide support groups, twice a month. We also continued to partner with the Trans+ Friends, Family & Allies group, facilitated by looking-time community advocate, Kathy Hermes. As time passed and community needs became more apparent, we began to expand our reach and services. 

At the end of 2021, we received community feedback that a name change would help our organization become more inclusive. Together, with community input, we decided on a new name and Trans Northland was created in Duluth, Minnesota in June of 2022. Our leadership team then began the long process of working to become a non-profit.

In 2023, Trans Northland officially received our non-profit status and we are now a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization.

In 2025, we welcomed a brand new Duluth chapter of Transforming Families Minnesota (TFF) to the Northland. TFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender youth and their support networks (including youth who are non-binary, questioning, intersex, and who have other identities). They are a peer-led organization based in Minneapolis, and almost everyone who works or volunteers with TFF is part of the trans community or a parent/caregiver of a trans person. In 2026, our Friends, Family & Allies group was then integrated into this new chapter, and we are excited for our trans youth to have another local resource.

Today, we offer:

1. peer support groups

2. resource navigation

3. community events & social gatherings