Trans Joy Is Resistance — and So Much More

We talk a lot about trans pain. About violence, trauma, legislation, loss. And we need to — because those things are real, and they shape the lives of so many trans people. But at A Haven for Us, we also believe in making space for something else: trans joy. Joy isn’t a distraction from injustice. It’s part of the resistance to it. It’s radical to laugh, to thrive, to fall in love, to transition, to build community — not in spite of being trans, but because of it.

What is trans joy?

It’s the feeling of wearing your name like a favorite hoodie. It’s seeing yourself in the mirror and recognizing who’s looking back. It’s soft safety. Loud pride. The tiny rituals that make you feel whole. It’s community care. Pride. Ballroom. Chosen families. Gender euphoria. Trans joy is expansive. It looks different for everyone. And it deserves to be named, celebrated, and protected.

Why it matters

Too often, trans people are only talked about in the context of suffering. We become statistics. Talking points. Policy debates. And even well-meaning narratives can start to feel like a cycle of grief. Joy reminds us that trans people are so much more than our trauma. We are artists, organizers, dreamers, caregivers, scientists, dancers, nerds, leaders, parents, lovers. We are building beautiful lives in the face of everything that says we shouldn't.

At A Haven for Us, joy is built in

Our groups aren’t just places to grieve or vent. While we recognize that these processes are healthy, and a large part of why we're here, we're also here for our joy, and our successes. Our communities are places to share milestones, laughs, and gender wins — big and small. We affirm each other in transition, in discovery, in softness. We believe joy is healing, too. So when we say we’re building a haven, we don’t just mean safety. We mean room to breathe, to grow, and to feel good.

To be trans and joyful is not a contradiction. It’s a birthright.

And we’re here to protect it.