5 Ways The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project Is Redefining Transgender Support In 2025
The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project (EPTEP) stands as a critical lifeline for transgender and gender-diverse individuals across Pennsylvania, providing essential services that directly combat systemic barriers and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. As of late 2025, the organization continues to be a vital, trans-led grassroots effort, dedicated to empowering the community while building solidarity and advocating for broad social justice across its extensive 34-county service area. The project’s unique blend of direct financial aid, legal assistance, and community organizing has positioned it as a leading voice for trans equity in the region.
Founded on the principle of mutual aid and rapid response, the EPTEP offers immediate, tangible support in a political climate where the rights and safety of transgender Pennsylvanians are frequently challenged. Their work is a powerful demonstration of community resilience and self-determination, focusing on the most pressing, day-to-day needs of its constituents, from securing housing to accessing life-saving medication. The organization’s impact is often immediate—for instance, following a major election, the number of people requesting their services surged from a handful to over 70, underscoring its essential role in times of crisis and uncertainty.
The Leadership and Mission Behind the Movement: Corinne Goodwin’s Vision
The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project is a testament to the power of grassroots, trans-led organizing, guided by the vision of its founder and Executive Director, Corinne Goodwin (She/They). Goodwin’s leadership is central to the organization’s mission: empowering transgender Pennsylvanians, building community, and advocating for social justice.
Goodwin is not only the driving force behind EPTEP but also a prominent advocate in the broader Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ landscape. Her commitment extends beyond direct services, influencing statewide policy and coalition-building. She has been noted for her work in education, offering training like "Trans 101" to organizations, including churches, to foster a more supportive environment for transgender survivors of abuse.
Goodwin's influence is also felt in legislative advocacy. She serves on the board of Keystone Equality, a new statewide LGBTQ organization formed to combat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Pennsylvania, ensuring the needs and voices of the trans community are represented at the highest levels of political discourse.
Eastern PA Trans Equity Project Profile Summary
- Organization Name: Eastern PA Trans Equity Project (EPTEP)
- Founded By: Corinne Goodwin
- Executive Director: Corinne Goodwin (She/They)
- Mission: Empowering Transgender Pennsylvanians while building community and advocating for social justice.
- Service Area: A 34- to 42-county region across Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.
- Key Focus: Direct supportive services, legal assistance, basic needs/mutual aid, and education.
- Recent Financial Activity: Primary tax return (Form 990) filed on July 1, 2024.
- Core Values: Trans-led, grassroots, rapid response, and community-focused.
5 Critical Programs Driving Trans Equity in Pennsylvania
The EPTEP focuses on practical, immediate solutions to the systemic challenges faced by the trans community. Their programs are designed to provide both emergency relief and long-term stability, addressing the core issues of economic instability, legal recognition, and community isolation.
1. Transgender Legal Name Change Assistance
Legal name and gender marker changes are foundational to a transgender person's safety and well-being, yet the process is often complex and costly. EPTEP provides crucial technical and financial assistance to navigate this legal labyrinth. This service is essential for employment, housing, and personal security, helping to ensure that official documentation aligns with a person’s true identity.
2. Rapid-Response Basic Needs Assistance (Mutual Aid)
One of the most impactful services is the mutual aid program, offering rapid-response financial grants to those in immediate need. This program is a true demonstration of grassroots support, providing a maximum grant of $250 to address critical emergencies. Funds are distributed quickly to cover necessities like:
- Rent and housing assistance.
- Food and grocery support.
- Transportation costs (to work, appointments, or support groups).
- Emergency payments for gender-affirming medication.
3. Transgender Support Groups and Community Building
Fighting social isolation is a cornerstone of the EPTEP's work. The project hosts a variety of community discussion and social support groups specifically for transgender and gender-diverse people. These groups provide a safe, affirming space for sharing experiences, accessing resources, and building the resilient community networks necessary for mental health and survival.
4. Comprehensive Educational Materials and Training
Advocacy requires education. EPTEP produces and distributes free educational materials focused on issues related to the transgender community. These resources are invaluable for healthcare providers, employers, schools, and families seeking to understand and support trans people. This educational outreach helps to dismantle prejudice and create institutional allies across Eastern Pennsylvania.
5. Legislative and Political Advocacy
Through its leadership and alliances, such as its connection to Keystone Equality, EPTEP actively engages in the political arena. The project’s advocacy work focuses on combating discriminatory laws and promoting policies that ensure full equity and inclusion for all transgender citizens in Pennsylvania. This dual focus on direct service and systemic change ensures a holistic approach to empowerment.
The Future of Advocacy: 2025 Events and Ongoing Resilience
The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project is not slowing down in its commitment to visibility and remembrance, with key events already planned for 2025 that underscore the community’s resilience and ongoing struggle for acceptance.
Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) 2025
The organization was a key host for events surrounding the 2025 Transgender Day of Visibility, including a Rally & March for Trans Lives in Allentown. TDOV is an essential day to celebrate the lives and contributions of transgender people while raising awareness of the discrimination they still face.
Trans Day of Remembrance/Resilience (TDoR/R) 2025
Looking ahead to late 2025, the EPTEP is co-hosting the annual Trans Day of Remembrance/Resilience event on November 19, 2025, at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley. This event is a solemn yet powerful gathering to honor the memory of those who have been killed due to anti-trans violence over the past year. By adding "Resilience" to the name, the project emphasizes not just mourning, but also the strength, power, and determination of the surviving community to continue the fight against transphobia and violence.
The work of the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project remains critical. By providing direct, responsive aid, fostering community, and engaging in high-level advocacy, EPTEP continues to be an indispensable force for change and survival for thousands of transgender and gender-diverse people across Pennsylvania. The organization’s commitment to a trans-led, mutual aid model sets a powerful example for equity work nationwide.
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