About Us
Our Mission: Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.
The Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network nurtures a supportive, affirming, and loving community for gender-expansive people, their families, and allies. Through education, advocacy, and the creation of safe spaces in the Santa Barbara area, we celebrate and protect transgender rights, dignity, and well-being.
Our Values:
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Support – we create safe spaces to educate our families and care for each other
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Progress – we advocate trans equality as a part of human rights for all
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Celebrate – we create and share joy and humor as our authentic selves
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Community – we strengthen through collaboration with other under-represented groups, and our allies
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Love – we always come from love: for ourselves, our families, our friends, and those who don’t understand us
Our Story
Our story began in 2014 when three families of transgender children met at our local PFLAG chapter and decided to form a support group specifically for families of trans youth in Santa Barbara. Through word-of-mouth and handmade fliers posted in schools and organizations throughout the county, our Trans Youth Santa Barbara family support group officially began in March 2015. This new idea quickly grew from a small grassroots support group to a much larger network.
Eventually, the Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network (SBTAN) was formed, and evolved to include:
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Trans affirming training for organizations and schools throughout the Tri-County area
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Support groups for transgender adults, teens, and families of trans youth
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An executive director and board of directors
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Our Santa Barbara Transgender Center, Lisa's Place
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Local events, such as our county's first-ever recognized celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV)
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Our 501(c)(3) status as an official non-profit
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SBTAN continues its grassroots community activism today. We continue to be inspired by our local transgender community of adults and youth and the affirming families and allies that make up our thriving network. Thank you for supporting this vital work as we serve our local Santa Barbara transgender community.
SBTAN Board of Directors
Board meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6pm and are open to the public. Our by-laws can be accessed here.
To inquire about open volunteer positions, please contact info@sbtan.org.