Transgender Education Association (TGEA) is one of several Transgender organizations that claim the Washington, DC Metro Area as home. TGEA’s roots go back to the early 1970s as the DC chapter of Tri-Ess (Society for the Second Self). That early version of the group evolved away from their narrow roots in the mid-70s to accept a broader community and became the Delta Chi Educational Association. In 1993, the organization changed its name to TGEA, Transgender Education Association, and defined itself as an educational association founded in the desire to support our current membership as well as reach out to other transgender and gender nonconforming people, and the community at large. In 1999 the organization became incorporated as a non-profit corporation, and in 2011 TGEA became a 501(c)(3).

In 2014, the membership had dwindled and attendance at meetings had dropped such that a board was elected with the sole purpose of closing the organization. At that time, Rev. Emma Chattin, who was familiar with the organization from the late 90’s early 2000’s, approached the board and attended the meeting with a proposal: hire her as the organization’s first Executive Director in 2015, and let her help revive the organization.

Since that time Rev. Emma has recruited and worked with an ever expanding board of gifted volunteers, harnessing the resources of the organization with a specific focus of support, education, and community building all across the gender spectrum, including Significant Others, Friends, Family and Allies. TGEA’s work and outreach covers. the greater Washington Area and beyond.

Mission: Our Mission is Education.

As a non-profit corporation, TGEA seeks to serve the needs and interests of all the people in the gender community, those affected by our community and those who serve our community. To this end, TGEA’s mission has three objectives.

1. Provide means for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals; to understand and accept their life through methods and options which may include but are not limited to providing a supportive environment and day-to-day assistance, providing peer counseling and or referral to professional, institutional, and other appropriate resources, helping individuals to overcome their sense of isolation, and providing appropriate educational and social opportunities,

2. Provide a comprehensive support system for those persons dealing with the problems associated with being transgender, including friends, family, relationship partners, significant others, and allies, and

3. Provide educational resources and information to anyone involved in or desiring information about transgender issues, Gender Non-binary (GNB), and Gender Non-conforming (GNC)people; which may include but are not limited to seminars, workshops, orientation and training sessions, the publication and distribution of informational material. TGEA actively promotes and encourages participation in an extensive public education program for the individual, for groups of individuals, medical and mental health professionals and colleges to eliminate prejudice and discrimination within the general public sector.