Trans and gender diverse people

Trans and Gender Diverse People in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Gender is how you understand yourself as male, female, both, neither, or somewhere in between. For many people in Grand Rapids, their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. For others, it does not. Those people may identify as:

Transgender (trans) – your gender is different from the sex you were assigned at birth
Non-binary – your gender is not only male or only female
Gender diverse / genderqueer / gender fluid – you identify with a gender or genders outside of the traditional male–female binary

Your gender identity is what feels natural and true to you. Some people in West Michigan know this very early in life; others may explore their gender over many years.

Gender Identity, Stereotypes and Dysphoria

Not fitting gender roles and stereotypes

Many people in Grand Rapids don’t feel they fit traditional gender roles or expectations. For example:

A boy may prefer clothing, hobbies or behaviors that others label as “feminine”
A girl may feel more comfortable in “masculine” clothing or activities
A person may not feel like either “man” or “woman” describes them well

This alone does not mean someone is trans. It simply means stereotypes don’t fit them.

When your body doesn’t feel right: gender dysphoria

Some people also feel that the sex characteristics of their body (such as genitals, chest, or overall body shape) do not match who they know themselves to be.

When this mismatch causes significant distress or impairment, it is called gender dysphoria.

In the United States and in Michigan, it’s hard to know exactly how many people experience gender dysphoria because many are understandably hesitant to disclose this information. However, research shows that compared with the general population, trans and gender diverse people have higher rates of:

Depression and anxiety
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Suicide attempts
Discrimination and harassment

This distress is often made worse by social stigma, not by being trans itself.

Signs of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adults

The feeling of having a different gender identity than the one assumed at birth can appear at any age. Many trans and gender diverse people in Grand Rapids remember feeling “different” as children.

Children may:

Be disgusted by or distressed about their own genitals
Feel detached from their genitals, as if they are not part of their body
Believe or insist they will grow up to be another gender
Strongly wish they were another gender
Prefer clothing, names, pronouns or roles associated with another gender
Withdraw from social interaction or seem very anxious or depressed

Adults may:

Strongly wish to change their genitals or other sex characteristics
Want their body to match their gender identity
Experience ongoing distress about their chest, voice, hair, or body shape
Withdraw from social situations, work or family activities
Experience depression, anxiety or thoughts of self-harm

If you or your child are distressed about gender, it’s important to seek support from a qualified health professional in Grand Rapids.

Options for Gender Affirmation in Grand Rapids

Some trans and gender diverse people feel comfortable with social changes only (like name, pronouns and clothing). Others may want medical options such as hormones or surgery. There is no “right” way to be trans or gender diverse.

In West Michigan, gender-affirming care may be available through:

Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) – including Spectrum Health Medical Group and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Mercy Health (now part of Trinity/Corewell in many areas)
Local primary care providers and mental health professionals familiar with LGBTQ+ health

Always look for providers with experience in gender-affirming care and ask about their approach.

Hormone Therapy for Children and Teens

Puberty blockers (GnRH analogues)

If a child or teen in Grand Rapids has gender dysphoria and has reached puberty, they may be offered gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, commonly called puberty blockers. These are synthetic hormones that temporarily pause puberty by blocking the body’s natural hormones.

Testosterone usually drives penis growth, facial hair, and a more “masculine” body shape
Estrogen usually drives breast growth, periods, and a more “feminine” body shape

By delaying these changes, some young people with gender dysphoria feel less distress about their bodies and have more time to explore their gender identity.

In Michigan and across the U.S., puberty blockers are generally considered:

Reversible – when treatment stops, puberty usually resumes
Used only when there is clear, ongoing distress and a strong desire to live as another gender
Decided together by the young person, their parents or caregivers, and the medical team

Parents in Grand Rapids may work with specialists at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Corewell Health, or other pediatric endocrinology and mental health services to explore these options.

Hormone Therapy for Adults

As an adult, you may choose hormone therapy to help your body better match your gender identity. This can be continued for as long as you and your provider feel it is safe and helpful.

For trans men and some non-binary people

A trans man (someone who was assigned female at birth and identifies as male) or some non-binary people may take testosterone (masculinizing hormones). Possible effects include:

More facial and body hair
More muscle mass
A deeper voice
Stopping of periods
A small increase in clitoral size
Changes in body fat distribution
Increased sex drive

For trans women and some non-binary people

A trans woman (someone who was assigned male at birth and identifies as female) or some non-binary people may take estrogen (feminizing hormones), often with medicines to reduce testosterone. Possible effects include:

Less facial and body hair over time
Smaller testicles and penis
Less muscle mass
More fat on the hips, thighs and buttocks
Breast development

Hormones do not change your voice if you are a trans woman. To make your voice higher, you would need voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist, and sometimes surgery.

The aim of hormone therapy is to help you feel more comfortable in your body and improve your overall wellbeing. In Grand Rapids, hormone therapy may be available through:

Endocrinology or gender clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
LGBTQ+-affirming primary care practices
Telehealth providers licensed in Michigan

Before some types of gender-affirming surgery, you may be asked to go through a social gender role transition. This means living full-time in your affirmed gender, including:

Using your chosen name and pronouns
Dressing and grooming in ways that match your gender identity
Coming out at work, school, and with family and friends
Navigating daily life (shopping, healthcare, work, social events) in your affirmed gender

Many surgeons and care teams ask that you live this way for at least one year before certain surgeries. This period helps you:

Confirm that permanent surgery feels right for you
Experience a range of real-life situations in your affirmed gender
Build support systems in Grand Rapids and online

For some surgeries, such as bilateral mastectomy (top surgery) for trans men, a shorter social transition period may be acceptable, depending on your provider and guidelines.

Surgical Options for Gender Affirmation

Not everyone chooses surgery. For those who do, options can include:

For trans men and some non-binary people

Common surgeries may include:

Bilateral mastectomy (“top surgery”) – removal and reshaping of the chest to create a more typically male appearance
Hysterectomy – removal of the uterus (womb)
Salpingo-oophorectomy – removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries
Phalloplasty – construction of a penis using tissue from the forearm, thigh, or lower abdomen
Metoidioplasty – construction of a penis using the hormonally enlarged clitoris
Scrotoplasty – construction of a scrotum, often with testicular implants
Penile implants – to allow for erections

The goals of phalloplasty or metoidioplasty often include:

Ability to pass urine while standing
Preservation of sexual sensation
A genital appearance that feels affirming

Multiple operations are usually needed to complete these procedures.

For trans women and some non-binary people

Common surgeries may include:

Orchiectomy – removal of the testes
Penectomy – removal of the penis
Vaginoplasty – construction of a vagina, often with the ability for penetration and sexual sensation
Vulvoplasty – construction of the external vulva
Clitoroplasty – construction of a clitoris with sensation
Breast augmentation – breast implants
Facial feminization surgery – procedures to create more typically feminine facial features

Some trans women cannot or do not want a full vaginoplasty. In those cases, they may choose:

Cosmetic vulvoplasty and clitoroplasty
Removal of testes and penis, without creating a vaginal canal

A gender diverse or non-binary person might choose one or more of these surgeries, or none, depending on what feels right for them.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Affirmation

Your sexual orientation (who you are attracted to) is separate from your gender identity (who you are).

Some people notice changes in sexual attraction after hormone therapy or surgery; others do not. For example:

Someone attracted mainly to women before transition may remain attracted to women
They may find themselves more attracted to men, or to people of multiple genders
They may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, or another label—or use no label at all

There is no “correct” outcome. The priority is that you feel safe and comfortable in your own body and live the gender identity that makes you happiest.

Children, Teens and Gender Identity

In Grand Rapids, as elsewhere, it is common for children to explore gender through play and clothing:

Young children may show interest in clothes or toys associated with another gender
Older children may say they want to be another gender, or insist they are another gender
Some children will continue to identify as trans or gender diverse after puberty; others will not

How gender identity can develop

Children who continue to experience strong, consistent gender variance after puberty often:

Identify as trans or gender diverse into adolescence and adulthood
May feel they don’t belong to any single gender
May want to dress or present differently at different times
May feel that “non-binary” or “gender diverse” best describes them

Puberty can be especially difficult for young people with gender dysphoria, as their bodies change in ways that feel more obviously male or female. This can increase distress, anxiety and risk of self-harm.

Supporting a Child Who Is Questioning Their Gender

If your child in Grand Rapids is questioning their gender, you may feel worried, confused, or unsure what to do. Your support is crucial, no matter how their gender identity unfolds.

What parents and caregivers can do

Listen without judgment – let your child explain how they feel in their own words
Use their chosen name and pronouns, if they have them
Support safe self-expression – clothing, hairstyle, hobbies, and friends
Watch for signs of distress, such as depression, anxiety, self-harm or withdrawal
Seek professional help if your child or you are distressed

Young people who have strong, ongoing discomfort about their gender are at higher risk of:

Depression and anxiety
Bullying at school (including physical or sexual abuse)
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts

There is clear evidence that parental, family and peer support leads to better mental health outcomes for trans and gender diverse teens.

Getting help early

If your child is strongly identifying with another gender, it’s best to seek help before or early in puberty. Early support can:

Reduce distress
Improve mental health and school performance
Allow time to explore medical options (such as puberty blockers) if appropriate

In Grand Rapids, families can look for help through:

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (part of Corewell Health) – pediatric specialists and mental health services
Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health – pediatric and adolescent care
Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health – information and referrals
Local therapists with experience in LGBTQ+ youth and gender identity

Mental Health and Trans / Gender Diverse People in Grand Rapids

Trans and gender diverse people often face two main sources of stress:

Internal distress related to gender dysphoria, body discomfort, and fear of rejection
External stress from discrimination, harassment, violence, rejection and exclusion at home, school, work, or in their community

These stresses can increase the risk of:

Anxiety and depression
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Eating disorders
Problematic substance use
Sexual risk-taking
Difficulty finding or keeping employment

In Michigan, trans and gender diverse people who also face other forms of stigma—such as racism, religious rejection, disability, autism spectrum disorder, or involvement in the sex industry—may experience even greater pressure.

Local context: Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Cold winters and long, dark months can worsen seasonal depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder), especially for people already struggling with mental health
Rural and suburban areas outside Grand Rapids may have fewer LGBTQ+-affirming services, making access to care harder
Workplace environments may vary widely in how supportive they are of trans and gender diverse employees

Trans and gender diverse adults in Grand Rapids may find it hard to:

Get hired or promoted
Feel safe being out at work
Access inclusive healthcare
Find safe, affirming housing

Supportive workplaces, schools, families and healthcare providers can make a significant positive difference.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids and Michigan

If you or your child is experiencing distress related to gender, reach out for support. Options include:

Medical and mental health care

Your GP / primary care provider – ask if they have experience with transgender and gender diverse patients or can refer you
Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – adult and pediatric services, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Trinity Health Grand Rapids – primary care, mental health and specialty services
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health – primary and specialty care
Local therapists and counselors – look for those who list LGBTQ+ or gender-affirming care as a specialty

Community and statewide resources

Transgender Michigan – statewide organization offering support, information and referrals
Local LGBTQ+ centers and student groups – check Grand Rapids area community centers, colleges and universities
Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health – information on local mental health and medical resources
Online support communities and hotlines for LGBTQ+ people (use trusted, reputable organizations)

In an emergency, such as thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department (e.g., at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital).

Key Points

When the mismatch between your gender identity and your body causes severe distress, it is called gender dysphoria.
Trans and gender diverse people in Grand Rapids can access social, hormonal and surgical options to live in the gender that feels right to them.
Children and teens exploring gender are common; not all will be trans, but all deserve respect and support.
Trans and gender diverse teenagers especially need care, safety and affirmation from family, schools, healthcare providers and the community.
There is a higher risk of depression, anxiety and suicide among trans and gender diverse people, largely due to discrimination and lack of support—these risks can be reduced with affirming care and safe environments.