Help Trans Staff Hurt by Gender Spectrum Layoffs

Gender Spectrum is a national non-profit that served families and professionals in the lives of transgender and gender-expansive youth.

On Monday, August 28, 2023, Gender Spectrum laid off three (3) staff members without notice. A little under a month later, on September 21, 2023, the remaining seven (7) staff members, as well as valuable contractors and consultants, were laid off, some with just 4 days’ notice.

It pains us to be in this position, not only for ourselves, but even more so for the families, schools, and other institutions we have served for so long. We have heard from so many of you who are feeling shocked and can’t help but wonder how this could have happened so suddenly; these feelings, and more, are so valid. Please know we are just as shocked and devastated as you are that this happened with so little notice or care for those who are at the heart of our work.

Please know this: We do not believe the organization had to go down this way.

Internally, we were informed Gender Spectrum was struggling financially and, as such, we were being laid off due to “economic challenges.” Since the release about Gender Spectrum ceasing all direct service programming, we have heard from hundreds of individuals and funders, all asking the same question: Why did Gender Spectrum not reach out for help? As staff, we repeatedly asked that exact question when we realized how dire the circumstances were.

There is more to this story we want to share, but we cannot do so at this time. We will update folx here, regardless of whether you are able to make a donation or not, when we are able to share more.

We regret we can no longer provide the services that provided cocoons of support for transgender and non-binary youth and their families.

We regret that our staff, some of whom are BIPOC and all of whom are trans/non-binary and/or queer, were treated so poorly.

We regret that we are reaching out to you for this kind of support while there is still so much work to be done, especially at a time when it is so needed and essential.

We remain committed to transgender and non-binary youth and their families everywhere. Staff worked until the very last second to find new homes for the programming we offered. Our work will continue.

What Your Donations Will Do:

All donations will provide tiered support to staff, with staff who are in need of the most support benefitting first, as they navigate through various financial pressures. Our goal of $100,000 is with the hope staff in need can have 3 months of funds each to cover the cost of the following: Rent payments, new health insurance premiums, and other family obligations. Many staff are also committed to helping families and other clients find additional support during this transition.

Thank you to those who have reached out to us with care and support during this time. Thank you for whatever contribution you are able to make to support former Gender Spectrum staff; any support you can provide is deeply appreciated. Please know there is absolutely no pressure to donate. We hope those who can will donate and share this GoFundMe campaign and that those who are also in difficult financial situations will share the campaign rather than donate:

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