UHealth Collaborates with LGBT Visitors Center to Offer Transgender Support Group

Miami’s first transgender support group, Trans-Trend Miami, was started in early 2017 to offer a supportive environment for South Florida’s transgender community. This support group is a collaboration between the University of Miami Health System and The Hub at the LGBT Visitors Center in Miami Beach.

Lauren Foster and Estin D. Kelly, M.S., MBA, M.S.W.

“Trans-Trend Miami offers a healthy environment for transgender and gender nonconforming community members, as well as their partners and families, to connect with others who are going through similar experiences,” said Lauren Foster, director of LGBTQ concierge services at University of Miami Hospital, part of UHealth — the University of Miami Health System.

Transgender Awareness Week began on Monday, November 13, and Trans-Trend Miami participants will meet at Barry University along with members of other local LGBTQ organizations on Monday, November 20, for Transgender Day of Remembrance. This worldwide event remembers and honors individuals whose lives were lost to transphobia, bigotry and hatred.

Trans-Trend Miami’s support group and social mixers are usually held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at The Hub at the LGBT Visitors Center located at 1130 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Future topics include silicone toxicity, M to F and F to M transition related topics, personal health, wellness and access to care.  This support group offers an opportunity for the transgender community to learn from local professionals from business allies such as MAC Cosmetics, MyKutz Salon of Miami Beach and Nano Netting hair enhancement.

“This support group offers a safe space for our transgender community to gather and discuss important concerns or issues that may be impacting their daily lives,” said Estin Kelly, M.S., MBA, M.S.W., the group’s clinical therapist and executive director of quality, safety and research at University of Miami Hospital and Clinics. “The groups also provide an opportunity for our transgender community to connect with each other and share coping mechanisms and discuss strategies to overcome challenges such as employment discrimination and access to care and services.”   For more information, visit the Trans-Trend Miami website.

“If you are looking for counseling, resources for skills building and career development, or support from your peers, Trans-Trend Miami is here to help,” Foster said. “We are very excited about this initiative, which is helping to bring our community together.”

Tags: Lauren Foster, LGBT Visitors Hub, Trans Trend Miami, University of Miami Health System