Born from the Groupe d’action trans de l’Université de Sherbrooke founded in 2016, TransEstrie is a community organization that aims to support, accompany and represent trans and non-binary people in the Estrie region.
About Us
The organization was established from a “by and for” perspective, as we believe that the people best positioned to develop services and advocate for trans, non-binary and questioning people in the Estrie region are those who identify with these identities. We do not believe that there is one single way to be trans or non-binary and we work to reflect the diversity of our backgrounds through our administration, our employees and our services.
We wish to recognize that the TransEstrie offices are located on the unceded traditional territory of the Abenaki and Wabanaki Confederacy, N’dakina. This recognition is only the first step in a long process of decolonization of our practices, which must be done continuously and in collaboration with the native peoples who currently live on the territory known as Estrie. The legacy of colonialism and racism still has impacts on gender norms and systemic transphobia and it is our duty to recognize these dynamics in our daily work.
To fulfill our mission, TransEstrie evolves along five axes:
Direct support
TransEstrie offers support and direct accompaniment to trans, non-binary and questioning people. TransEstrie can support someone on various issues, related near or far to gender identity. The support can be psychosocial, material or informational.
Support to family and friends
TransEstrie supports and accompanies the family and friends of trans, non-binary and questioning people. This psychosocial support aims to accompany the family and friends in their experiences related to the gender identity of their loved one, in understanding the gender identity of the person. This support can also have the objective of guiding them in the accompaniment of their loved one in different processes related to transness.
Education
TransEstrie raises awareness among populations, communities and institutions about trans realities, rights and issues. TransEstrie offers training in various settings that work directly and indirectly with trans and non-binary people. TransEstrie implements various measures to offer tools and informative events to trans and non-binary people as well as to their loved ones.
Representation
TransEstrie represents the interests of trans, non-binary and questioning people to regional institutions, and represents regional interests to national bodies. In order to do so, TransEstrie notes various trends in the unmet needs of the people it serves and asks its members about their needs and expectations when necessary.
Community
TransEstrie provides trans, non-binary and questioning people with resources to enable them to thrive in their communities.
Our Values
Pride
For TransEstrie, pride is embodied in celebrating and valuing our identities, supporting our communities and making them known.
Equity
For TransEstrie, equity is embodied in understanding the uniqueness of each individual profile, both in our users and our employees, and in adapting our services to meet the specific needs of each person.
Sharing
For TransEstrie, sharing means sharing our experience with the community, and allowing trans, non-binary and questioning people to exchange and share their experience.
Determination
For TransEstrie, determination is embodied by our continued perseverance in working towards the achievement of our mission and vision, despite the many barriers in our path.
Our Team
Gen Ste-Marie
they/them, no titles
Head of general coordination and networking
genevieve.stemarie@transestrie.org — 873-989-1289
At TransEstrie, Gen does a bit of everything! Their main task is to ensure that TransEstrie has everything it needs to offer its services and to make them known. Gen also supports the parents and loved ones of trans, non-binary and questioning people at discussion groups and on an individual basis.
Gen buys lots of books but never has time to read them because they’re too busy being a human rights activist.
Shine Kolia
he/him
Project manager for the development of LGBTQ+ groups
shine.kolia@transestrie.org — 819-415-2555
Shine is involved in community development work aimed at creating support groups for LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones. He also raises awareness of sexual and gender diversity among resources in the target communities so that they can adapt their services and activities.
Shine enjoys archery, soccer and fighting for social justice for all.
Séré Gabriel Beauchesne Lévesque
they/them
Educator
Séré is responsible for training. They analyze the needs of those who solicit TransEstrie, such as schools, community organizations and clinics, in order to offer them the training that will best help them to include trans and non-binary people in their mission. Séré also accompanies practitioners and professionals who seek support for intervention to better accompany a trans, non-binary or questioning person, and offers animations and workshops in many settings, always with the aim of promoting full inclusion and celebration of gender diversity.
Séré is an avid crocheter, sewer and Lego builder! They are the parent of two dogs and a cat who regularly make spontaneous appearances during their virtual meetings.
Théo-Rose Fréchette
he/him
Graphic Designer and Communications Associate
theor.frechette@transestrie.org
Théo-Rose manages TransEstrie’s social media presence, creates promotional materials, updates the website and makes sure TransEstrie produces great-looking stuff! He also works on various documents, including supplements to the medical transition guide, transitionner.info.
During the little spare time he has between design projects, Théo-Rose attempts to make little collages and comics. He owns a very normal and reasonable amount of dice for roleplaying games.
Maude Miguelle Mercier
they/them
Community worker
maudemiguelle.mercier@transestrie.org
Maude Miguelle facilitates discussion groups, one-on-one intervention, email intervention, consults on projects, facilitates café causeries, and all other related tasks!
They have two cats, Monsieur Karmen and Natsu·ne, both non-binary! They also know how to make a heart with their fingers, but inverted #hyperlaxe! They are currently crocheting plushies of Anette-the-emotional-support-shrimp!
Gabrielle Jobidon
she/her
Project Manager
gabrielle_jobidon@transestrie.org
Gabrielle oversees the Ministère de la famille project, “Ensemble contre l’intimidation”, and the Canada Post Community Foundation project, “Combler les écarts territoriaux : Favoriser l’inclusion des jeunes trans et non-binaires ruraux grâce à la connectivité hybride.”
She probably drinks a little too much coffee for her own good. 🙂
Midnight Dault-Deblois
he/they
Intern
midnight.daultdeblois@transestrie.org
Midnight does a little bit of everything. Intervention, supervising activities, kiosks, meeting people in schools, giving certain trainings, etc.
He crochets a lot, loves to read, and can be seen wearing elf ears.
Charlie Lapierre-Léonard
he/they
Community Animator
charlie.lapierre-leonard@transestrie.org
Charlie leads crochet workshops and discussion groups, offers support during drops in, and makes wool prostheses for our RDAAG.
His hobbies include crochet, artistic swimming and Dungeons & Dragons. They love karaoke!
Anne Cockerton
they/she
Research Project Manager
anne.cockerton@transestrie.org
Anne is part of the research team for AJUSTER: Access to Just, Unified and Secure Transaffirmative healthcare in the Eastern townships Region, a research project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada on medical violence experienced by trans and non-binary people.
They have a dog and a turtle-and 10 frog tattoos!!
Sei Laroche-Tanguay
il/they
Research Assistant
sei.laroche-tanguay@transestrie.org
Sei works as a research assistant for AJUSTER: Access to Just, Unified and Secure Transaffirmative healthcare in the Eastern townships Region, a research project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada on medical violence experienced by trans and non-binary people.
Sei’s hobbies include creating clothing and doing photography.