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forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
FORGE
@forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
230 followers 83 following 330 posts
Improving the lives of trans survivors since 1994 through empowering providers and connecting survivors to healing possibilities.

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forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Fatima Noor Al Sahar: "My friends know I'm genderfluid, and my family ends the call. My friends tell me I'm beautiful, and true to myself, and radiating authenticity and my family changes the topic... I'm my own creation... I just want to serve my friends and my lovers." forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Slide 1 includes Fatima Noor Al Sahar's piece, 'is this a festering wound or the truth spilling over?': The piece is an abstract mix of blue and brown paint that mirrors the reflection of an eye, mixing together in the center. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Artist. Fatima Noor Al Sahar. Fatima is a genderqueer multidisciplinary artist. They've recently claimed asylum in the UK and they miss their mom. They do self portraits, abstract photography, movement art and make videos of themselves dancing. They're hoping to do more contemporary dance performances soon. @oceaninmyveins. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Receiving a note from a friend, loved one, or community member can mean so much. Even a short text message letting someone know you care, a silly video, or a picture of your pet, can brighten someone's day. It's easy to share the love! forge.tips/love-letters
[Image: Text overlaying a graphic of a letter on stationary, on top of a purple background with outlines of leaves and a yellow sun. Text: "Community care tip: write letters of affirmation/support! forge.tips/love-letters." FORGE logo.]
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Many of the pieces in Issue #3 of the Trans Survivors Zine explore intersections of transness and parenthood. R. Haven's "I'm Her Dad" touches on what it feels like to be seen as ourselves by those closest to us. Read the full poem at forge.tips/zine. Connect with R. Haven at theirritablequeer.com!
White text on a purple background. Text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth. I'm Her Dad by R. Haven. 'She’s never questioned it, is the thing. / Even when they ask, / “Do you want to sit with your mom?” / When they tell her, / “Listen to your mother.” / It doesn’t seem to process. / She tells everybody / That she wants to stay with Dad. / That she loves her Dad, / Dad took her to the library, / To the park. / Running errands with her Dad.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Writer. R. Haven. R. Haven is a fantasy and horror author hailing from Toronto, Canada. His debut novel, The Other Face of Sympathy, is out as of September 9, 2025. His website is theirritablequeer.com, where you can find information on his other published works. theirritablequeer.com. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
November 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Join artists, activists, and healers for an evening of imagination and connection. Using time travel, we’ll explore how trans folks have navigated this world, we'll imagine liberatory futures, connect with our current selves. forge.tips/healing-tran...
[Image: Text overlaying an outer space background with graphics of a galaxy, a rough planet landscape and moon at the bottom, and a rocket and satellite in the sky. Text: "Healing Trans-Missions: messages from the past, present, and future. Tues, Dec. 2nd - 6:30-8 pm EST. http://forge.tips/healing-transmissions" FORGE logo.]
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
FORGE hosted a panel on authoritarianism and intimate partner violence in trans communities. In this short preview, Emil talks about the ways that people in power engage in abuse and violence, while spreading misinformation about trans folks as perpetrators of violence.
November 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Our next contributor highlight is an excerpt from Kairos Looney's "liturgies"! #33 captures hope in the face of a tumultuous world. "yes I know how to heal myself / the world has not shaken this big ole transsexual away." forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Slide 1 includes Kairos Looney's piece, '#33 from liturgies': A line drawing of two figures embracing, with handwritten text on the left that reads, 'Inside of a howl I find myself again and she refuses judgement / yes I know how to heal myself / the world has not shaken this big ole transsexual away.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Artist. Kairos Looney. Kairos Looney is a multi-disciplinary, white, trans artist. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
November 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
The National LGBTQ IPV Institute and FORGE would like to invite you to join our LGBTQ+ Survivor Advocacy Network meeting space. We are inviting LGBTQ+ people, organizations, and allies to come together and build a stronger movement. forge.tips/survivor-advocacy-network
[Image: Text overlaying a dark green background with subtle graphics of clouds. Text: "Join our LGBTQ+ Survivor Advocacy Network Meeting Space!" FORGE logo. LGBTQ+ IPV Institute logo.]
November 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Sometimes imagining our futures helps us find a path through the present. Judy Thorn's "Future Tense" explores this imagining and connection with others through personal narrative. Read the full piece in Issue #3 of the Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth, at forge.tips/zine
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Trans and nonbinary people use a variety of strategies to stay safer from hate-motivated violence. On a 2024 FORGE survey, participants shared some of the strategies they used for avoiding hate violence. Learn more in the reportback on our initial findings at forge.tips/surviving-hate
[Image: On a tan background, green and blue circles represent different safety strategies. Text: "FORGE 2024 Hate Violence Survey Data. Safety Strategies. 64%: Being vigilant about surroundings. 61%: Avoiding eye contact. 56% Getting recommendations -safe places to go. 52%: Dissociating/not thinking about it. 46%: Researching policies beforehand. 45%: Presenting gender in a more conforming way. forge.tips/surviving-hate." FORGE logo.]
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Eric writes: "This piece is about what it means to age with someone you love. It shows how your love changes shape as you grow older together." Find the full poem in the Aging and Growth issue of the Trans Survivors Zine, at forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth. Film by Eric Thomas. 'We cling to each other / Like the film on our plastic bowls / I wish I could be so transparent / I am so sticky / We melt and mold under the hot sun / Preserving the image of your skin / My eyes / Your curls / Bright and fresh / Caught behind my ribcage / Captured and stored safely / Room temp / How long until we go bad?' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Writer. Eric Thomas. I am a trans man living in Kansas. I use poetry as an outlet to express how I move through the world, and as a means of coping with life. I share my writing with the hope that other people see the humanity and depth held within the trans community, and recognize parts of themselves within my work. @ethophoto forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
November 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
At a recent panel discussion, Nadia spoke about the ways that individuals and organizations can resist fascism by refusing to comply before we have to. Resistance doesn't always look like disruption - sometimes it looks like maintaining the information or services we already offer!
November 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
About "Growth," Asher shared: "I wrote this poem as I was beginning to process and work through some trauma from an abusive relationship. I wrote it as I reflected on growth and love while listening to Bell Hooks 'All About Love: New Visions.'" forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Slide 1 includes Asher Whitney's collage poem, 'Growth': An 7 panel collage with a poem (Growth: while growth waxes and wanes it is ever present, waiting for the right moment, for winter to end, for a tree to fall and leave a space for you to grow tall and blossom), panel 1: winter scene with a fox and a lynx, panel 2 and 3: a meadow scenes with the words: "Growth, while growth waxes and wanes," panel 4: a fall scene with the words: "it is ever present", panel 5: a winter scene with words: "waiting for the right moment, for winter to end," panel 6: a wetland scene with a bever chewing a tree with words: "for a tree to fall," panel 7: a woodland scene with a spring cherry blossom scene overlayed and words: "and leave a space for you to grow tall and blossom. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Artist. Asher Whitney. My name is Asher, I am a 26 yo covid conscious, nonbinary queer person in Corvallis, OR. I like to spend my free time in my garden and in nature observing the plants and creatures around me. Much of my art is inspired by the natural world and the ecological processes I see happening around me every day. I studied Horticulture and Environmental Sciences, in undergrad and hope to continue down this path to pursue a PhD in Agroecology. I currently volunteer in community organizing to help build local food resiliency and make public safety accessible. @rugby_dyke forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
November 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
November is Trans Awareness Month! While this is a great time to bring awareness toward trans communities and the challenges we are facing, we also center and celebrate trans folks all year round. How are you celebrating or bringing awareness to trans communities this month?
[Image: White text overlaying a light blue background with graphics of clouds. Text: "november is Trans Awareness Month 2025." FORGE logo.]
November 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
The physical landscapes of our communities change with time. Sharon Moss's "San Francisco is Full of Ghosts" explores both this loss of physical queer spaces, along with the ways that we still connect and find one another. forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth. San Francisco is Full of Ghosts by Sharon Moss. 'Last time I was here, I felt them watching me. The history of queer people oozing out of every building, park, street, shop. I wanted to believe they were still here. We were still here. A queer homeland. Queer ancestors. I wanted to believe that if 18 year old me had gotten off their ass and run away to The City By The Bay I would have found my soul. Zines to print. Rallies to attend. Revolution to plot. Fat dykes in leather would tell me about the old days while I made pancakes. Aging queens would teach me how to keep makeup on this sweaty mug. I would run free and feral, naked down the beach. Spend late nights in an abandoned warehouse making art I didn't understand. Pile into someone's van and drive and drive and drive.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Writer. Sharon Moss. Sharon is a fat, joyful, gender noncompliant weirdo. She's a retired strongwoman who's pulled a plane and flipped a car. He's also a big ol' classic rock loving motorcycle bear daddy drag king. They live with a bunch of nerds, cats, and a very spoiled pitbull. @dont_eat_the_weights & @atlas.stone.1979 forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
October 31, 2025 at 1:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Every survivor deserves safety, care, and respect. People of all genders experience domestic and sexual violence. Support services should center those who are most marginalized to create safer and more affirming services for everyone. Learn more: forge.tips/DVAM24
[Image: Black text overlaying an orange and white gradiant background. Text: "every survivor is deserving of safety, care, and respect. Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2025." FORGE logo.]
October 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Intersex health, dignity and consent are not and have never been optional. Every person, including those with variations in their sex traits, deserves affirming and knowledgeable healthcare rooted in the right to make decisions for their own bodies. #WhyWeShowUp #IntersexAwarenessWeek
[Image: On a purple background, a photo of a person wearing a yellow shirt and sunglasses, holding a trans flag. Text: "Why I speak out: #WhyISpeakOut. Sharing my story demonstrates how the intersex community isn't a monolith, and how access to intersex-positive healthcare can be incredible for one's mental health. Intersex Awareness Week. October 26 - November 1."]
October 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Alana Storm's "Frontier Discovery" explores the way our understandings of ourselves shift with age - ways that our perspectives can become more expansive. Read the full poem in Issue #3 of the Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth, at forge.tips/zine @alanastorm.bsky.social
White text on a purple background. Text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth. Frontier Discovery by Alana Storm. 'you tell me / you're often not aware of your feelings / until well after they've happened / and even then, they sometimes mystify you / or in my words / "you mean until the circumstances / they've created overtake you and / those around you, huh babe?" ' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Writer. Alana Storm. Alana Storm is a middle aged lady exploring the boundaries between queer and trans generations. You can find her work in TRANSplants Zine, Pile Press, Lilac Peril, and at the 2025 Portland Zine Symposium. She's called the pacific northwest home for twenty years. Instagram: @flaneurfemme; Bluesky: @alanastorm.bsky.social. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
October 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Intersex people are often denied the ability to make informed decisions about their own reproductive futures. Intersex people, and all people, deserve the freedom to control their own reproductive health. #WhyWeShowUp #IntersexAwarenessWeek
[Image: On a purple background, a graphic of an intersex pride flag with the text "we show up" repeated behind it. Text: "Reproductive freedom means choice and consent. Intersex Awareness Week. October 26 - November 1."]
October 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
There is limited information on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and their relationships. If you are part of the community, the National LGBTQ IPV Institute would like to hear from you! Please take less than 15 minutes to complete this brief survey. forge.tips/ipv-survey
[Image: Rainbow text on a white background, under a graphic of a rainbow. Text: "NATIONAL LGBTQ+ SURVIVOR SURVEY. This survey will explore domestic violence/intimate partner violence within the community. If you are a LGBTQ+ person, please take our survey! And share the link with friends. forge.tips/ipv-survey. Email Savy Elahian selahian@lalgbtcenter.org for questions. This project was supported by Grant Number 90EV0535-01-01 from Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National LGBTQ IPV Institute logo.]
October 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Transand intersex people are united in the right to make decisions about our own bodies. Every attack on trans people’s healthcare also promotes harm towards intersex people. Our liberation is tied together. 🏳️⚧️💜💛 #WhyWeShowUp #IntersexAwarenessWeek #TransIntersexSolidarity
[Image: On a purple background, a graphic of an intersex pride flag with the text "we show up" repeated behind it. Text: "Trans and intersex people find strength in solidarity. Intersex Awareness Week. October 26 - November 1."]
October 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
Trans men and transmasculine survivors experience high rates of domestic and sexual violence, but are often left out of services or organizations that only serve women. We recognize that sexual violence impacts people of all genders - and that men and masculine people should have access to support.
[Image: Text overlaying an image of a transmasculine person with short brown hair, standing against a dark background with a serious expression. Text: "Safety, Support, Solidarity. October 25th, 2025. Male Survivor Awareness Day." FORGE logo.]
October 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
"This is a part of a series! three collages about trans history and how I feel like I see myself in trans people of the past, then there is who I currently am, and this piece... represents what I hope to be in the future further into my transition." - Lane Stephens. forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Slide 1 includes Lane Stephens's collage, 'Who I Will Be': 'This is a collage of colorful materials coming together to show my goal of soft masculinity and finding who I truly am.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Artist. Lane Stephens. I am a transmasculine queer multimedia artist using art as a way to express my thoughts and feelings as a neurodivergent person. My art focuses on my hyperfixations on color and textures and often surrounds my love of nature. I also experiment and use lots of different mediums and untraditional techniques. @lanetothemoon.art. forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
October 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
"I wrote this poem in the glow of a love that, with time, revealed itself to be less than what I thought... It also positions love as my favorite trans survival method, and that is something I will always see as invaluable." - Kelsey L. Smoot. Read more: forge.tips/zine
White text on a purple background. Text: "Trans Survivors Zine: Aging and Growth. Good Measure by Kelsey L. Smoot. 'maybe we survive this summer with a slalom through gayborhoods…arms linked, kissing first as near-strangers in underground clubs, under red lights, fighting sleep, and capitalism, and the urge to self-sabotage. maybe we write odes to one another in the park while sipping reposado from stanley cups, dressed in salvaged slow-fashion so as not to choke the planet further. maybe you will break my heart. maybe i will break it first for good measure. at any rate, i am so much more affected by a baby’s laughter or a missed call from my dad these days. this is it, i think to myself at least three times a week: i am alive, and the truth of that feels like a small miracle, now that friends of mine have begun to die.' forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo. White text on a purple background. Text: "About the Writer. Kelsey L. Smoot. Dr. Kelsey L. Smoot (they/he/Kelz) is a Tin House Workshop alum, a Pushcart Prize nominee, a Best of the Net nominee, and a Best New Poets nominee. Proudly, he is also the author of two chapbooks: we was bois together with CLASH! (An Imprint of Mouthfeel Press) and Muse, with Another New Calligraphy. Thrillingly, Kelz’s debut full-length collection of poems, SOULMATE AS A VERB arrives in early 2026 with DOPAMINE/Semiotext(e). @nonbinarypapi forge.tips/zine." FORGE logo.
October 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
There is limited information on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and their relationships. If you are part of the community, the National LGBTQ IPV Institute would like to hear from you! Please take less than 15 minutes to complete this brief survey. forge.tips/ipv-survey
[Image: Rainbow text on a white background, under a graphic of a rainbow. Text: "NATIONAL LGBTQ+ SURVIVOR SURVEY. This survey will explore domestic violence/intimate partner violence within the community. If you are a LGBTQ+ person, please take our survey! And share the link with friends. forge.tips/ipv-survey. Email Savy Elahian selahian@lalgbtcenter.org for questions. This project was supported by Grant Number 90EV0535-01-01 from Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National LGBTQ IPV Institute logo.]
October 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social
One tactic commonly used against trans communities is technology-facilitated abuse. When so many trans and nonbinary people connect with community and support online, losing access to these resources becase of technology-facilitated abuse can be particularly dangerous. forge.tips/cyber-abuse
[Image: Text on a dark background, next to a graphic of a person's hand holding a cell phone. Text: "Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2025. 9 in 10 trans/nonbinary people have experienced technology-facilitated abuse. forge.tips/cyber-abuse." FORGE logo.]
October 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM