Empowering Transgender Pennsylvanians
The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering transgender Pennsylvanians located in Eastern Pennsylvania. We offer transgender legal name change services, support groups, financial aid services, and other programming
Our transgender service programs are available to residents of forty-two (42) Pennsylvania counties. These include Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Montgomery, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Franklin, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike, Carbon, Columbia, Schuylkill, Bradford, Wyoming, Montour, Northumberland, Lebanon, Sullivan, Tioga, Susquehanna, Lycoming, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Perry, Snyder, Union, York, Centre, Mifflin, Blair, Huntington, Bedford, Fulton, Clinton, and Potter County in Pennsylvania. Some counties have limited services available so please verify for the program you are interested in.
Our programs empower transgender Pennsylvanians so that they can do more than survive… Instead, they can thrive!
Legal Name Change
- Mentoring – Changing your name can feel intimidating but our volunteers will explain the process to you in plain language. We will also provide advice on how to go to Court and may even be able to accompany you!
- Legal Paperwork – While we are not lawyers, we can assist you with completing your legal documents for the Court and other governmental agencies. You can even download your court documents here!
- Financial Assistance – When representing yourself, a legal name change in Pennsylvania typically costs between $250 and $600. EPTEP may be able to provide you with a financial grant to help support transgender Pennsylvanians who reside in our service area with these costs.
Supportive Services
- Community Groups Our Community Groups are a great way to meet, learn, socialize receive support from other trans, nonbinary and gender expansive people. We also have specializes groups that include:
- Open Trans Groups
- Non Binary Support Group and Trans-Masc Groups
- Spouses and Partners Support Groups
- Neurodivergent Groups
- Trans-Friendly Resource Listing
- Whether you are looking for a reputable therapist, doctor or other service provider, we have a complete listing of trans-friendly service providers. Click here for more information
Education and Outreach
- Workshops, Training and Public Speaking
- If your organization is seeking to become more trans-inclusive or you simply want to learn more about the experience of being transgender from a transgender person we can assist. Click here for seminars and programs.
- Community Events
- Transgender Day of Visibility – Each Spring we develop a community education program focused on telling the stories of transgender people including our triumphs and challenges
- Transgender Day of Remembrance – Transgender people are subject to high rates of violence and, unfortunately, high rates of homicide due to hate crimes. November 21st is the day we remember and honor our victims so that their names are never forgotten.
- Pride and Tabling Events – Every year, we staff booths, distribute information and interact with the community at Pride events and other local programs.
- Media Appearances
- If your media company is seeking input on a news story that is related to transgender and Gender-Diverse topics our organization can assist you in finding the right person to talk to. Click here to contact us.
- Downloadable Assets & Videos
- We offer a wide array of downloadable materials and on-line video content that covers a wide range of topics from legal name change processes to health issues to coming out at work.
Financial Assistance
- Legal Name Change Micro Grants
- We want to reduce financial barriers for transgender Pennsylvanians seeking to have their legal identity match their true identity. We do this through providing financial assistance to qualified grantees within our service area. Click here for more information.
- Binders for Trans-Masc Individuals
- We understand the importance of being able to present in the gender with which you identify. Doing so is a matter of safety and mental health. We provide financial assistance to transgender people in need of a binder. Click here for more information.
- Direct Assistance for Basic Needs
- Every once in a while, an individual needs a helping hand and our transgender rapid response mutual aid grants are designed to do just that – provide short-term and immediate assistance for transgender and gender nonbinary folk or the parents of trans kids in need who reside within our service area. Grants for rent, food, utilities or other basic needs may be restricted to certain counties or available funding. Application does not guarantee approval
Building A Strong Transgender Community in Eastern Pennsylvania
The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project (EPTEP) serves transgender and gender diverse people throughout eastern Pennsylvania including the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. This includes the Cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and all parts of Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Montgomery, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike, Carbon, Columbia, and Schuylkill County .
If you would like more information about how our services are empowering transgender Pennsylvanians or to have an EPTEP member speak at one of your events, please contact us today!