At the community's request, our newly redesigned peer support services are geared towards addressing issues that face our transgender and gender diverse communities. The Utah Pride Center supports, honors, and validates the lived experiences and gender identity of each person we serve. We believe our peer support services and our peer support specialists have an obligation to affirm and support the ability of each person to create meaningful life for themselves, including access to gender-affirming care without threat of harm. We also have the obligation to raise awareness around harmful systems and requirements and advocate for the needs and health of gender diverse individuals.
Gender-affirming care saves lives!
Our peer support team is excited to offer our Gender Affirming Peer Support Program, a program that creates a space for transgender and gender diverse Pride Peers to access visibility, intersectional inclusion, guidance, and support from other transgender or gender diverse Pride Mentors. Coming from a non-clinical background our team and mentors can offer one-one-one peer support for the following:
- Share relatable lived experiences as a member of the LGBTQIA+ Community
- Discuss and practice coping skills during challenging situations
- Assistance with finding and applying for culturally appropriate medical services
- Compassionately share experiences around gender journeys
- Empower and support all gender health journeys across the lifespan
- Guidance in overcoming health barriers
- Setting and achieving health goals
- Answer questions around surgical processes and steps
We strive to reflect a culture of inclusivity, acceptance, and comprehensive knowledge to best support all individuals. We are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, evidence-based care for gender diverse individuals in a supportive and affirming environment.
Peer support services are free and currently open for our transgender and gender diverse community members.
What Is Gender Affirming Peer Support?
Peer support happens when people who share similar lived experiences come together to support each other. Our Gender Affirming Peer Support Program offers one-on-one sessions for Pride Peers to receive support from our qualified Pride Mentors. This support will include but is not limited to experiences in the realm of gender diverse issues, coming out, transitioning, gender-affirming medical healthcare, gender diverse mental healthcare, or other forms of social or emotional needs of transgender and gender diverse individuals. Experience and support can also include conversations around celebrations, triumphs, and relationship support as we recognize that needs can come from various spectrums of emotional necessities. At the Utah Pride Center, we have designed our peer support services to meet the needs and requests of our community and community members.
Pride Peer and Pride Mentor four-step model:
Step 1 – Getting Registred
- If you want to be a Pride Mentor and give support, complete our Pride Mentor registration form on our website or in-person.
- If you want to be a Pride Peer and receive support, complete our Pride Peer registration form on our website or in-person.
Step 2 – PEER SUPPORT ORIENTATION
- Pride Peers will be contacted via email or phone by a Utah Pride Center Peer Support Specialist to coordinate a time to connect and complete a 30-minute orientation with discussion of needs and resources (hybrid options available).
- Pride Mentors will be contacted via email or phone by a Utah Pride Center Peer Support Specialist to coordinate a time to connect and complete a 60-minute orientation with access to training opportunities (hybrid options available).
Step 3 – PRIDE SUPPORT CONNECTION
- Our UPC peer support team will thoughtfully pair Pride Peers with Pride Mentors who have similar backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
- Once paired our UPC peer support team will coordinate a time for the Pride Peer and Pride Mentor to meet (in-person at the Utah Pride Center or virtually through confidential platform).
- After the initial meeting, our UPC peer support team will ensure both Pride Peer and Pride Mentor feel comfortable and good about the pairing and will proceed forward with services as needed.
Step 4 – BEGIN YOUR PEER SUPPORT JOURNEY
- Pride Peer and Pride Mentor determine their own level of involvement and support.
- The UPC peer support team will continue to connect bi-weekly for brief check-in sessions with both Pride Peers and Pride Mentors.
The UPC peer support team is always available to support and empower your through your peer support journey.
Become a Pride Peer!
Our Pride Peers have an opportunity to gain connection, support, knowledge, and insight from amazing Pride Mentors! Are you looking for a supportive relationship as you navigate your gender journey or gender health journey? Would you like to connect to someone with shared experience? What about connecting to someone who is there to empower you and provide opportunities to build resiliency and adaptability? By becoming a Pride Peer, you will have the opportunity to access visibility, intersectional inclusion, guidance, and support from other transgender or gender diverse Pride Mentors!
Become a Pride Mentor!
Our Pride Mentors have the opportunity to share their supportive skills, meaningful experiences, and wealth of knowledge to empower our Pride Peers! Are you looking to be the source of a supportive relationship for someone navigating their gender or gender health journey? Would you like to support and empower someone navigating similar shared experiences? What about creating meaningful connections, opportunities, and experiences to help others build resiliency and adaptability?
The Utah Pride Center's Peer Support team wants you as a Pride Mentor. Pride Mentors are amazing volunteers who are trained in LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, are trauma-informed, and adhere to the Utah Pride Center's confidentially code. By becoming a Pride Mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your caring, supportive skills to create meaningful connections and community, with a flexible schedule, and a sense of purpose. Create opportunities to access visibility, intersectional inclusion, guidance, and support to other transgender and gender diverse Pride Peers!
