NRW’s OFFICE FOR TRANS MATTERS

NRW’s Office for Trans Matters (Landeskoordination Trans* NRW) is a state-wide specialist office. Its goal is to support groups and services by and/or for trans people in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as to educate and inform specialists, public institutions, and the society as a whole about gender diversity and the needs of (both binary and non-binary) trans people. The office is funded by North Rhine-Westphalia’s Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Refuge, and Integration (MKJFGFI). This project is a cooperation between Queeres Netzwerk NRW e. V. and NRW’s Gender Diversity & Trans Network (NGVT* NRW e. V.).

The office promotes networking between the different local and regional trans groups, initiatives, and counselling services in NRW. It contributes to the quality and viability of an often volunteer-based work by spreading knowledge (e.g., in the form of events and publications), offering advice, and cooperating with specialists and public authorities. It also supports new groups during their foundation process.

In cooperation with the board of NGVT* NRW, the specialist office identifies the needs of North Rhine-Westphalia’s trans groups & individuals and supports the development of their demands and priorities. On this basis, NRW’s Office for Trans Matters represents the interests of trans people in North Rhine-Westphalia vis-à-vis policymakers and other stakeholders, and works together with the state’s Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Refuge, and Integration (MKJFGFI NRW).

Additionally, it offers North Rhine-Westphalia’s professionals from different sectors (such as healthcare, nursing, employment, and education) counselling, materials, and events that address the needs and realities of trans people. The specialist office also disseminates this knowledge amongst different expert groups and advisory boards.

Another target group of this educational work is North Rhine-Westphalia’s general public. Media representatives are also invited to contact the office.