He She Ze and We is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began as a monthly support meeting for families with transgender children back in 2012 in RVA. Now, He She Ze and We has become the leading organization to go to regarding gender diversity in Virginia.

We achieved nonprofit status in 2019 and have expanded to include families with trans and nonbinary loved ones of all ages. We currently offer 12+ educational support and/or social opportunities every month. We have virtual meetings so that families statewide and nationwide can access our programs, including monthly Interfaith, BIPOC, and Orientation meetings. 

What We Do:

• Educate families about gender identity and how to be supportive
• Support caregivers with one on one consultations and group meetings
• Connect families with trusted and vetted resources
• Inspire others by sharing stories of lived experiences
• Build a community of respect and understanding
• Provide training to the community at large: schools, community groups, businesses, and healthcare providers
• Advocate, in collaboration with our community partners, for the well-being of all transgender and nonbinary individuals on the local, state, and national level

By the end of this year, HSZ&W will have held 101 educational support meetings + 6 guest speaker events for our community of families with trans and nonbinary loved ones (of all ages). Plus, 16 professional training sessions for the community at large.

A Supportive Family is the #1 Protection for Trans and Nonbinary Youth.

All of our work is essentially life saving, suicide prevention. When a parent, sibling, neighbor, or coworker respects an individual and recognizes them as who they say they are by simply using a person’s name and pronouns, it makes a huge difference. It helps a person feel seen and understood, a sense of belonging. By guiding more communities to engage in true allyship, we will improve the overall wellbeing and health the transgender community.

We Build Community: Our Tapestry Project exhibited a huge outpouring of LOVE and HOPE from festival goers at RVA's Pridefest!

“When my adult child came out to me, I immediately went into ally mode but I knew nothing about transgender people. How was I going to help my child? How was I going to navigate my own feelings? I felt lost and alone. He She Ze & We was like a lighthouse in a storm. This community saved me with understanding and compassion. They offered me a safe space to express my feelings and helped me be the best parent I could be for my child. With education and resources, I have been able to stand by my child’s side with confidence.”

“He She Ze and We is the support you didn’t know you needed.” 

- A trans youth who's parent is part of HSZ&W