FORGE

[Image: A photo of Dua Saleh, overlaying a black background. Text: "Dua Saleh. buzzin' by Dua Saleh. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

Dua Saleh is a Sudanese-American poet, actor, and singer, exploring identity and culture through genre-defying music. Discover new music from Black trans artists this Black Trans History Month! Listen at forge.tips/black-trans-artists
#BlackTransHistoryMonth #TransSurvivors #BlackTransHistory

[Image: Text overlaying a photo of a person's hands balancing a stack of rocks. Text: "Join us online! March 18, 2-3:30 pm EST. In and Out of Balance: Continuing advocacy through turbulence. forge.tips/balance-and-advocacy." FORGE logo.]

How do you stay grounded in your advocacy work while external forces attempt to derail you? In this upcoming workshop, participants will work together to identify ways to find their center, come back to balance, and act on their values.

Join us on March 18th! forge.tips/balance-and-advocacy

[Image: White text overlaying a light blue background. Text: "Trans and nonbinary youth are worthy of love, autonomy, and respect. #RealLoveRespects. loveisrespect.org. #tdvam2026" FORGE logo]

Trans and nonbinary youth are worthy of love, autonomy, and respect.

#TDVAM2026 #RealLoveRespects #TransYouth

A photo of two people hanging out in bed together. One is playing guitar while the other scrolls on their phone. Text: "forge.tips/living-with-trauma. In conflict, trauma can lead to..." Seeing all conflict as a personal attack or threat." FORGE logo.

A photo of a person looking down at their feet while they walk their dog. Text: "forge.tips/living-with-trauma. Believing that our mistakes make us bad people." FORGE logo.

A photo of someone curled up in bed. Text: "forge.tips/living-with-trauma. Deferring to others to avoid conflict." FORGE logo.

A photo of a person putting on makeup in bed. Text: "forge.tips/living-with-trauma. Ignoring our own needs and boundaries." FORGE logo.

Living with other people can be hard. Many trans people are living with some form of trauma that can make relationships more complicated to navigate. This new blog post explores some of the ways that trauma shows up in relationships with those we live with. forge.tips/living-with-trauma

[Image: A photo of Jackie Shane, overlaying a black background. Text: "Jackie Shane. Comin' Down by Jackie Shane. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

“Jackie Shane combined the frenetic pace of rock and roll with the soulful energy of R&B to become one of [Toronto’s] most memorable performers of the 1960s." Listen to Jackie's "Comin' Down," along with music from past and present Black trans artists, at forge.tips/black-trans-artists

[Image: Text on a green background with graphics of leaves. Text: "'The climate surrounding politics these days has taken a toll on my mental health and with it, made it more difficult to continue in recovery.... In this political moment, being visibly trans can feel more exhausting than in the past.' Lucas Knudsen." FORGE logo.]

When trans and nonbinary folks are targeted by state-sanctioned hate, it can feel like very little is within our control. Food, and its impact on our bodies, might feel like one thing we can control in the midst of chaos. Read more at forge.tips/eating-disorder-awareness

[Image: A photo of Neverending Nina, overlaying a black background. Text: "Neverending Nina. That One by Neverending Nina. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

Neverending Nina celebrates Black Trans Joy through a mix of funk, soul, R&B, and punk pop. Listen to Neverending Nina's "That One" on our Black Trans History Month playlist! forge.tips/black-trans-artists

[Image: A photo of Mykki Blanco, overlaying a black background. Text: "Mykki Blanco. Free Ride by Mykki Blanco. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

Mykki Blanco has been a spoken word poet, an outspoken advocate for queer liberation, and a boundary-pushing rap artist. Discover Black trans artists to listen to this month at forge.tips/black-trans-artists

[Image: Dark orange text overlaying a light orange background. Text: "People of all genders and ages deserve to have their boundaries respected. #RealLoveRespects. loveisrespect.org. #tdvam2026" FORGE logo]

Dating violence doesn't discriminate, but trans and nonbinary youth may be at higher risk of abuse by a partner. This Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we are reminded that people of all ages and genders deserve to have their boundaries respected.

[Image: A photo of Honey Dijon, overlaying a black background. Text: "Honey Dijon. The Nightlife by Honey Dijon (ft. Chlöe). 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

“I approach DJing as an art form or craft. For me it’s like someone painting a picture, or writing music, or designing something," Honey Dijon says in an interview with SSENSE. Find new music to listen to this Black Trans History Month, at forge.tips/black-trans-artists!

[Image: Text on a dark green background, below an image of a ripe plum. Text: "Poetry has been hugely healing for me as I've recovered from horrendous domestic and intimate partner violence. I drew metaphors in the sand and said, no more accepting abuse as love. I feel like I've mostly transformed from trauma surviving to trans thriving, despite all odds and obstacles, and these poems are evidence of just how far I've grown. From Trauma Surviving to Trans Thriving: "Not Your Fucking Rehab" and "Protection" by Zoë Zack Dunning. forge.tips/trans-thriving." FORGE logo.]

Our newest Trans Survivors blog post features two poems from Zoë Zack Dunning: "Not Your Fucking Rehab" and "Protection." Read Zoë's work at forge.tips/trans-thriving. Connect with Zoë at allmylinks.com/mellifluouswriting!

#TransSurvivors #TransPoets #DVSurvivor #IPV

[Image: Light blue text overlaying a dark blue background, above a black and white graphic of as TV, record, and person holding a microphone. Text: "#RealLoveRespects. #TDVAM2026. trans and non-binary teens deserve to see healthy representations of relationships in the media." FORGE logo]

Some recent shows and books (like Heartstopper and Sex Education) depict young trans people navigating love and relationships. Seeing what healthy (and unhealthy) dynamics look like help us to recognize potential harm in our own relationships.

#TDVAM2026 #RealLoveRespects #TransYouth

[Image: Blue text against a white background, alongside graphics of an N95 mask and two condoms inside wrappers. Text: "National Condom Awareness Day - Feb 14th, 2026. Wearing one helps to protect your community." FORGE logo.]

Condoms are one tool we can use to protect ourselves and our partners from preventable illness! We can also protect ourselves and our communities by limiting the spread of airborne illnesses like COVID-19 and flu by wearing high quality masks (N95s, KN95s, or better!), especially in crowded spaces.

[Image: A photo of Big Freedia, overlaying a black background. Text: "Big Freedia. Take My Hand by Big Freedia. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

Born in New Orleans, Big Freedia has helped to popularize the bounce genre of hip-hop. Her work has since gained popularity as she’s performed with artists like Beyoncé, Kesha, Lizzo, RuPaul, and others. Find new music to listen to this Black Trans History Month: forge.tips/black-trans-artists

[Image: A photo of 2AM Ricky, overlaying a black background. Text: "2AM Ricky. Love Ain't Rational by 2AM Ricky. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

“When I first got the news that we had reached #3 on the iTunes charts, I shed tears of joy. I cried not only out of joy and celebration for myself, but for what that moment meant for black music history." Listen to 2AM Ricky's "Love Ain't Rational": forge.tips/black-trans-artists

[Image: Overlaying a photo of mountains and a lake, a checklist of items on a notepad. Text: "Is this thing working? questions to ask... does this strategy make sense? are the claims “too good to be true?” does it reflect my values? what feels possible for me? is someone trying to make money off of this? what do others have to say? forge.tips/is-this-thing-working" FORGE logo.]

We often have to learn for ourselves what strategies will be helpful (especially when it comes to chronic illness and disability). In this new blog post, Emil shares how they evaluate different advice they receive; how they figure out what works and what doesn't. forge.tips/is-this-thing-working

[Image: White text overlaying an image of a young person with long hair pulled back and a blue flower behind their ear, wearing an orange t-shirt that says "I am the voice of a generation." Text: "Wear Orange for Teen Dating Violence Awareness. Tomorrow - Feb 10th!" FORGE logo.]

Today is Wear Orange Day! Raise awareness for Teen Dating Violence and show your support for survivors by sharing a photo of yourself wearing orange (or wear it to work/school!) Supporting healthy relationships, respect, and care is for people of all ages and genders.

[Image: White text overlaying an image of a person with long braided hair and sunglasses wearing an orange t-shirt. Text: "Wear Orange for Teen Dating Violence Awareness. Tomorrow - Feb 10th!" FORGE logo.]

Tomorrow is Wear Orange Day! On Feb 10th during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, wear orange, hang orange lights, and let others know why you support survivors.

#WearOrangeDay #TDVAM2026 #RealLoveRespects #TeenDatingViolence

[Image: Brown text overlaying a purple background, above a graphic of a flower. Text: "'Maybe that’s exactly how we find ourselves: real, vulnerable, human, and sincerely, hopelessly alive.' Tara. Hyperpop has always been about us (TransActual). forge.tips/hyperpop." FORGE logo.]

"Maybe that’s exactly how we find ourselves: real, vulnerable, human, and sincerely, hopelessly alive," says Tara, in "Hyperpop has always been about us" on TransActual.org (@transactualuk.bsky.social)! Find the article at forge.tips/hyperpop

[Image: A photo of Shea Diamond, overlaying a black background. Text: "Shea Diamond. I Am Her by Shea Diamond. 8 Black Trans Artists to listen to this month! forge.tips/black-trans-artists." FORGE logo.]

Music can offer a powerful tool to shift emotions, connect with ourselves, and heal from trauma. This Black Trans History Month, we’re celebrating eight Black trans musicians, both past and present, who spread hope, resistence, and healing through their work. forge.tips/black-trans-artists

[Image: White text overlaying a light blue background. Text: "February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. #RealLoveRespects. loveisrespect.org. #tdvam2026."]

Each February, young people nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This annual month-long push focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. Join us by using the hashtag #RealLoveRespects

[Image: Brown text overlaying a tan background, with an outline drawing out two people embracing. Text: "'Our bodies, which home and carry us, deserve the same love we give to our physical homes.' Jamie. One man’s trash is a trans masc’s treasure. forge.tips/charity-shops." FORGE logo.]

“Our bodies, which home and carry us, deserve the same love we give to our physical homes," writes Jamie, in 'One man’s trash is a trans masc’s treasure: How the local charity shops helped me find my identity' on @transactualuk.bsky.social! Find the article at forge.tips/charity-shops.

[Image: Against a purple background, a photo of a young trans person wearing a black hoodie with a serious expression on their face. Text: "Call for submissions. Trans Survivors: Issue #5: Teens and Youth. Deadline extended: Feb 7th! Open to contributors age 24 and under! Poetry, art, and short fiction/nonfiction; $25 contributor payment. forge.tips/submit." FORGE logo.]

DEADLINE EXTENDED! We're looking for submissions from trans/nonbinary youth for the Trans Survivors Zine. We welcome your grief and rage at the state of our current world; we welcome your stories of healing, hope, and resilience; we welcome a range of expressions and experiences. forge.tips/submit

Get the facts! LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience stalking compared to cisgender, heterosexual people. This quick fact sheet from SPARC covers some stats on trans and LGB peoples’ experiences with stalking, along with resources for getting help. Read more: forge.tips/stalking-facts

[Slide 1: Red text overlaying a photo of a young person sitting in a windowsill and looking out thoughtfully. Text: "Trans youth: make your voice heard. forge.tips/submit." FORGE logo.]

[Slide 2: a photo of a young person sitting in a windowsill and looking out thoughtfully. Text: "Submit to trans survivors! forge.tips/submit. Open to contributors age 24 and under! Poetry, art, and short fiction/non-fiction. $25 contributor payment. Deadline: Feb 1st." FORGE logo.]

There's still time to submit to Trans Survivors! We welcome submissions of art and writing on unique experiences in the current world as a young trans person; around a range of topics on growth, imagining the future, healing, trauma, and resilience. forge.tips/submit

[Image: Text on a notebook page, with polaroid photos of a person standing up on tiptoe, and photos and letters hanging from a piece of twine. Text: "Love Letters by Dean Robert Holmes. 'I come from a house of notes. Not structured sentences with eloquent endings, but monosyllabic requests and replies. Need ride to work. Okay. Do dishes. Yes. Grunts on paper and averted eyes in the halls. We lived as strangers, ignoring the blood that deemed us united. I can recall the singular time my father said, “I love you.” Drowned by discomfort in the backseat and scurrying away lest his feeble attempt at paternal affection seep into our spirit.' forge.tips/love-letters-blog." FORGE logo.]

We have a new guest post up on the Trans Survivors blog! "Love Letters" by Dean Robert Holmes explores ways that we communicate and experience connection and desire. Read the full blog post at forge.tips/love-letters-blog!

[Image: A black and white photo of Caleb, michael, and Emil from FORGE against a green background, surrounded by rainbows. Text: "Find us at Creating Change 2026! Jan 21-25, Washington, DC." Creating Change logo.]

Today is the first day of Creating Change! Come find FORGE in the exhibit area and presenting on IPV and Authoritarianism on Thursday, January 22nd. Find out more at forge.tips/cc26!

[Image: The cover of a Trans Survivors Zine against a white background. The cover depicts a young trans person posing outdoors with arms raised above their head. Text on the cover reads: "Trans Survivors: Digital Zine" in cutout lettering." Background text: "Call for Submissions: Trans Survivors Zine. Trans and nonbinary youth: we want to hear from you! Issue #5: Teens and Youth (under 25). Submit art, poetry, and fiction/non-fiction (under 1k words). Get paid for your work! $25 contributor payment. Have your work shared with a broader audience. Deadline: February 1st. Full guidelines: forge.tips/submit." FORGE logo.]

Trans Survivors issue #5 is open for submissions! We welcome submissions of art and writing from trans and nonbinary youth under 25. Submissions might focus on experiences as a young trans person, growth, imagining the future, healing, or resilience. forge.tips/submit

[Image: Text in a handwritten font on a purple background with a graphic of purple and yellow flowers. Text: "'No one is a burden; everyone deserves to love and be loved' Eli Fitzgerald" FORGE logo.]

“No one is a burden; everyone deserves to love and be loved” - Eli Fitzgerald, Youth and LGBTQ+ Project Coordinator at Positively UK (@positivelyuk.bsky.social) #TransSurvivors #TransCommunity

From the WA Immigrant Solidarity Network: "Human trafficking risks are often heightened by poverty, unstable housing, language, cultural barriers, discrimination, and vulnerabilities tied to immigration status — conditions that traffickers exploit to manipulate, control, and coerce victims.