TRACTION: trans | community | action

TRACTION cultivates connection and visibility for transgender and gender-nonbinary people through community service in support of underserved communities.

Advocacy • Collaboration • Service • Summit Gatherings • Civic Engagement

 

Aiding Trans+ People Fleeing Violence & Persecution

Project Open Arms is TRACTION's best known program, supporting trans+ Red State refugees seeking sanctuary. It started in 2023 in response to the alarming increase in anti-trans legislation across the country. Nearly half of the trans+ adults surveyed by the Williams Institute – want to move or have already moved to more affirming places. The Pacific Northwest has long been a destination for such folk, and we expect migrating people and families to increase over the next decade.

Our goal then and now is to support U.S. red state “transplants” – especially trans+ individuals and their families – seeking safer, more welcoming places to live.

To date, we've served over 532 individuals and their loved ones in relocating to safer locales.

Civic Engagement & Community Power Building

Combating misinformation & propaganda with media projects featuring trans+ artists and creatives

• Trans Liberation NewsSource - The 2024 Trans State of the Union

• TRACTION Action Comix & Reels encouraging masks and safe vaccinations

• Vibes! Music Showcases - a series of live musical events showcasing trans+ artists with ASL interpretation), community resources, and discussion

• TRACTION's YouTube Channel 

• Trans Pride 365 Calendar - TRACTION's searchable calendar highlighting events created by and for our community regionally and nationally, including Pride events, TDOR observations, concerts, arts shows and community gatherings.

Rallies, Collaboration, Activism

• Voter Engagement - social media campaigns to engage trans+ and allied voters and get them into voting booths [see @tractionpnw on FB, IG, TikTok, LinkedIn]

• Community Bonfire Burning Bright: Music for Nex - a 2024 Virtual gathering of music, and conversation to honor Nex Benedict.

• Speaking at and organizing rallies like Seattle's Hands Off! & We Protect Us Rally

• Co-producing the Queer the Vote Candidate Forum in Seattle July 2025

• And more to come. We are, after all, just getting started!

The TRACTION team is small, but scrappy. Your support helps us change lives, as well as hearts and minds. Thank you!