Is your partner considering gender transition or questioning their gender?
Having a partner begin gender transition can be isolating and confusing. It can also be amazing and transformative!
Transforming Partnership is an online education and support program designed to support partners of transgender and non-binary individuals at any stage of gender transition.
Learning how to navigate the transitions and transformations of life is a central challenge of all relationships. This task of discernment can become complicated when gender is at the heart of the transformation because of the transphobia inherent in our culture. Because gender is such a central organizing principle of our culture, changes to how you understand your loved one’s gender can feel disorienting and destabilizing. Because gender and sexuality are separate but related concepts, those changes can also feel confusing and disruptive to your sense of security in yourself and your relationship. Even the most loving and supportive partners can struggle with these changes. The good news is that having access to a more authentic version of your partner can also deepen your connection.
Education about the dynamics of gender, sexuality, and healthy relating, as well as non-judgmental support and resources, can help you feel supported in your process of transformation while offering love and care to your transitioning partner. Having a space to learn about these concepts - exploring how they apply to you, your partner and your relationship - can help you reorient to what feels consistent and stable in your partnership, while discerning how to integrate the changes you’re seeing and feeling in your partner.
Transforming Partnership is an online program that includes twice monthly live coaching and support meetings on Zoom; educational resources related to gender, sexuality and relationships; and a digital workbook. To facilitate this program, I’ll draw on my personal experience as a partner as well as years of experience as a relationship-focused therapist supporting queer, trans and non-binary individuals and their partners, including 20 years studying the dynamics of gender and sexuality.
Note: Because trans and non-binary people don’t only partner with cisgender (non-trans) people, this program is open to people of all genders, including those who identify as transgender or non-binary themselves.
Meet Your Facilitator:
Heather Branham
(she/her)
“I created Transforming Partnership because I know that loving someone through big transitions and transformations requires support. So many of the available resources about gender transition focus on the person transitioning, leaving partners to wonder how and where they fit into the equation. I believe that trans-affirming education and support for partners can reduce confusion, decrease isolation and improve relationships.
By creating space for partners to connect with one another and learn about more about the changes their partner might be experiencing, I hope to demystify the process of gender transition so that trans and non-binary individuals and their partners can focus on what’s most important: their relationship.”
FAQ’s
What's the format?↓
Transforming Partnership is an online education and support program, structured around the topics most relevant to partners supporting someone through gender transition. The program will be administered through Podia, a user-friendly online platform. The set up will feel a lot like an online course, but without all the quizzes.
Enrollment in Transforming Partnership includes access to the Transforming Partnership Workbook, as well as three months of twice monthly live support meetings via Zoom.
Twice a month for three months current Transforming Partnership participants will gather for 90 minutes on Zoom to share support and discuss the topics most relevant to partners of trans and non-binary people.
Membership is limited to ensure an intimate and customized group space for our twice monthly live meetings. We'll meet together as a group and use the Zoom Breakout Room feature to create opportunities for one-on-one interaction and support.
Is this group therapy?↓
No, this is not group therapy. Transforming Partnership is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental health disorders. The live meetings will include facilitated support and guidance informed by the resources from the Transitioning Partnership Workbook, but won't include psychotherapy.
Supporting a partner through gender transition can bring up all sorts of feelings, and you are encouraged to have a relationship with a therapist or other professional support person if you are encountering strong emotions or feeling stuck in this process.
What are the topics?↓
Transforming Partnership is structured around six topics relevant to partners supporting someone through gender transition:
+ Models of Gender & Sexuality
+ Exploring Social & Medical Transition
+ Understanding Medical Transition Options
+ Exploring Feelings About Change & Loss
+ Navigating Change & Conflict in Relationships
+ Sex, Pleasure & Bodies
When you enroll, you'll receive access to the Transforming Partnership Workbook, which walks you through these six topics using educational lessons, dynamic exercises, and reflective journaling prompts.
When do we meet?↓
Exact dates for Transforming Partnership 2021 live meetings will be announced soon. All of the live meetings will happen via Zoom on alternating Wednesdays at 3:30PM (Eastern time, check your time zone!) for 90 minutes.
Membership is limited to create an intimate and customized container for these conversations. Since we’re building a community of support, participants are asked to commit to all 3 months of live meetings to maintain continuity for all participants.
What's the cost?↓
The cost for Transforming Partnership 2021 will be announced soon and will include an option to recieve 10% off the full cost by paying in full before the program starts.
What if I can't afford that?↓
My hope is to offer Transforming Partnership to everyone who is ready to show up for themselves and their transitioning partner in this way. If you’re ready and are unable to afford the cost, please reach out and we’ll talk to see if we can find a way to make it work.
Can I try a session to see if I like it?↓
No. Through the three months of learning and support in Transforming Partnership, participants will be getting to know each other and building trust together. Part of building that trust is committing to show up for the duration. We will talk before you join so that you can ask any questions or share any concerns to make sure that this program feels like a good fit for you.
What if I can't make every meeting?↓
Life happens and sometimes you might have to miss a meeting. That’s okay. Transforming Partnership live support meetings will not be recorded to respect the privacy of the members who will be sharing. The main transformation that Transforming Partnership offers is found in the connections between partners that happened during the live calls.
You will receive access to the entire Transforming Partnership Workbook whether or not you can make it to every live meeting.
Do I have to share personal information about myself and my partner?↓
No, you are not required to share anything you don't feel comfortable sharing about yourself or your partner during the live support meetings. In fact, as part of shaping the guidelines for sharing in the live meetings, I will encourage you to share only about your experience and not divulge private details about your partner, who won't be present and can't cosent to the details being shared. Respect for privacy and for transgender and non-binary identities will be upheld in Transforming Partnership.
What if I'm not sure if I want to stay in my relationship?↓
Transforming Partnership is designed for partners who want more guidance, resources and connection in their efforts to support their transgender or non-binary partner through gender transition. Sometimes during that process, relationships end for a variety of reasons.
If you're questioning whether or not your relationship will last, you are welcome in Transforming Partnership and encouraged to use the guidance, resources and connection offered to support you and your partner, regardless of the current status of your relationship.
If your relationship ended when your partner began transitioning and you are looking for tools to blame your partner's gender transition for your break-up, this is not the right space for you.