STAND FOR TRANS LIVES : ALICE STELLA & ROXANNE
FIVE FRENCH ASSOCIATIONS SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING TRANS PEOPLE TODAY
Visibility and support for trans lives are urgent. Indeed, in France, trans communities face growing challenges, from limited healthcare access to social exclusion. Therefore, five grassroots associations stand as vital pillars of strength and solidarity. They not only defend rights, but also offer essential resources and build community resilience.
In this article, IRK highlights OUTrans, Fransgenre, Acceptess-T, ARDHIS, and Transat, five key organizations working across France to support and empower trans lives.
Moreover, the visual story here is created by photographer and art director Amélie Jouison. She captures the urgent need for trans visibility through the powerful presence of Alice Fleury, Stella Bocle and Roxanne Ostyn, radiant figures who stand for resilience, self-expression, and unapologetic existence.
This editorial tableau, which is both tribute and act of resistance, was styled with La Compagnie du Costume, known for its unique historical wardrobe as well as stylist Solal Aubert. Together, they craft a visual language where trans bodies stand tall and reclaim space, not as spectacle, but rather as sovereign.
1 : OUTRANS : Supporting non-binary people’s health and visibility
Since its founding in 2009, OUTrans has stood as a feminist, trans-led self-support association for transmasculine, transfeminine, non-binary, questioning people, and their cisgender allies, originally rooted in the transmasculine community. Indeed, born from the urgent need to build networks of mutual aid and to confront transphobia in all its forms — social, institutional, and professional — OUTrans offers a vital space for support, empowerment, and advocacy.
Through self-support groups, friendly meet-ups, and community events, OUTrans helps trans people break isolation and find connection. Moreover, it stands as a source of clear, easy-to-understand information for those exploring their gender identity and for their loved ones. With a strong focus on health justice, OUTrans leads campaigns to improve trans people’s access to healthcare. Additionally, it trains medical, social, educational, and administrative professionals to adopt trans-inclusive practices.
Furthermore, by producing educational resources, defending victims of transphobia, and standing firm in national advocacy for trans rights, OUTrans shapes a future where trans identities are visible, respected, and protected. Altogether, these efforts make OUTrans a cornerstone in the fight for trans visibility and equality.
2 : FRANSGENRE : A community-run digital platform offering resources and support
Founded in 2018, Fransgenre arose from a simple but urgent fact: many trans people cannot access physical LGBTQI+ spaces. At the time, no online alternative existed. Consequently, Fransgenre became a vital digital collective, run by and for the community. It offers trans people across French-speaking areas a space for support, solidarity, and resource sharing.
Because it is fully online, the association helps those in rural or isolated places connect and get help. Moreover, it provides up-to-date information on transition without barriers.
Fransgenre proudly stands as a feminist and intersectional group. Therefore, it fights structural oppressions like transphobia, intersexism, fatphobia, racism, ableism, xenophobia, homophobia, and whorephobia. In addition, the association opposes police violence, carceral systems, and the criminalization of sex work and drug use. Above all, it defends full bodily autonomy for all.
Importantly, Fransgenre rejects medical gatekeepers like SOFECT and FPATH. Instead, it supports respectful, community-led transition care. Furthermore, Fransgenre stands as a fierce defender of trans and racialized lives. It actively speaks out against the far-right threats to LGBTI+ rights in France.
Together, these efforts make Fransgenre a crucial force for justice and care within the trans community.
3 : ACCEPTESS-T : Fighting for the rights and dignity of trans migrant women
Founded in 2010 by activist and performer Giovanna Rincon, Acceptess-T stands as a pioneering grassroots group led by and for trans women—especially migrants and sex workers—in France. Based in Paris, Acceptess-T offers vital daily support. This includes legal aid, housing and healthcare access, workshops, and safe spaces. Above all, the focus is on dignity, survival, and collective empowerment.
Moreover, Acceptess-T doesn’t just fight for trans rights—it lives them every day. The team stands on the front lines of intersectional struggles. They actively combat racism, transmisogyny, the criminalization of sex work, and violence against migrants. In addition, the association creates spaces of resistance and joy. Through visibility, cultural events, and trans-feminist solidarity, Acceptess-T helps reclaim power.
Importantly, this crucial work relies heavily on public donations. Every contribution, big or small, helps keep vital services running for the community’s most vulnerable. Therefore, by supporting Acceptess-T, you stand with life-saving, community-led care in the face of systemic neglect.
4 : ARDHIS : Legal aid and advocacy for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and migrants
Founded in 1998, ARDHIS stands for the rights of homosexual and trans people to immigration and residency in France. The association fights for the right to stay, love, and live safely. It supports LGBTQI+ migrants, refugees, and binational couples facing risks due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. Many come from places where their relationships are not recognized.
ARDHIS offers legal aid, guidance, and personal support for those seeking asylum or residency. This help covers cases based on persecution or family life in France. But ARDHIS’s work goes beyond paperwork. It builds community. From language classes and museum visits to football games and picnics, it helps break isolation and restore dignity.
By standing at the crossroads of legal protection and emotional survival, ARDHIS remains a lifeline for trans and queer migrants. These communities often face systemic violence and neglect. ARDHIS stands strong with them every step of the way.
5 : TRANSAT : A Marseille & Avignon based collective advancing trans and non-binary liberation
Transat is a French non-profit that stands for education, advocacy, and awareness about gender identity and trans experiences. Indeed, it believes that understanding and accepting trans people is key to building an inclusive society.
To achieve this, Transat provides easy-to-access resources, public workshops, media outreach, and training for institutions. Their goal is to fight deep-rooted myths about gender. Moreover, they stand firm against harmful stereotypes. They actively promote respect and accurate images of trans lives in schools, media, and workplaces.
In addition, Transat focuses on the emotional and social lives of trans people. It shares stories of strength against discrimination, medical neglect, and social exclusion. Furthermore, it celebrates the rich diversity of trans identities—across age, race, body types, and backgrounds.
By pushing education and cultural change, Transat stands with trans people. Ultimately, it helps create a world where everyone can live true to themselves, without fear or shame.
Shoes made by Solal Aubert.
WHY SUPPORTING THESE ASSOCIATIONS MATTERS ?
Each of these associations embodies resilience, solidarity, and radical care. They often work with limited resources but have a huge impact. They provide vital lifelines for trans people facing systemic barriers and hostile environments. Supporting them means standing with trans lives—not someday, but right now.
HOW CAN YOU REALLY HELP ?
Donations are essential. They keep these associations alive and allow them to offer critical support, legal aid, healthcare access, and safe spaces. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference. By donating, you stand up for trans rights and help build a stronger, more inclusive community.
CREDITS :
ART DIRECTOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER : Amélie JOUISON
MAKE-UP & HAIR : Jasmine BOUGUERMOUH, Antonia ORTEGATE DE LA VEGA, Ylenia SIGONA
MODELS : Alice FLEURY, Roxanne OSTYN and Stella BOCLE
STYLIST : Solal AUBERT, Amélie JOUISON
TECHNICAL TEAM : Elias DUBOIS, Marie-Loire MOULIN
SPECIAL THANKS TO LA COMPAGNIE DU COSTUME AND ALL THE TEAM OF THIS EDITO.
Want more ? Take a look at : LA COMPAGNIE DU COSTUME : Behind French Costume Magic
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Amélie JOUISON is a fashion photographer and art director.
She likes to question the status of the image as a woman, incorporating a point of humour, burlesque and creating discomfort.
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