“Organized by master’s students in the Marriage and Family Therapy program, as well as Ph.D. candidates and supportive staff, the event is designed to celebrate the trans community and provide resources and a safe and affirmative space for socialization and connection,” says Marriage and Family Therapy master’s student Sophia Widdekind, vice president of the Trans Team.
More than 370 people attended the 2025 Trans Support Day April 5 at Peck Hall, just north of the Syracuse University campus. This year’s event was particularly impactful as the trans community faces unprecedented societal and legislative discrimination throughout the United States.
This year’s attendees had the opportunity to connect with more than 25 trans-affirming providers, including local businesses and organizations that support–and advocate for–the trans community. The event also included arts and crafts, makeup and hair tutorials, and free clothing made possible by an overwhelming amount of donations.
To learn more about Trans Support Day, we asked Trans Team President Emet Oden and Vice President Widdekind to share their thoughts on the event. Here’s what they wrote:
Emet Oden ’25, Marriage and Family Therapy master’s student
“Trans Support Day (TSD) is needed more and more every year, especially now with the rights of so many trans people being threatened and stripped away. TSD creates a space for the Central New York trans community to get connected with affirmative health, social, and beauty services, find clothing, and make connections within the trans community. Attendees told us they find joy in the connections they make at TSD and are already looking forward to next year’s event.
“One of the many things I appreciate about TSD is that it highlights the resiliency and strength of the trans community. Organizing and showing up for each other is nothing new in the trans community. Trans people, particularly Black and Latina trans women, have been at the forefront of trans liberation and the liberation of all oppressed peoples, recognizing that trans liberation will not happen until all oppressed people are liberated.
“My hope for the Trans Team and for TSD is that we can further learn from our trans ancestors and elders about how to show up for all trans people, making TSD a more affirmative space for trans people who embody a wide range of oppressed (and privileged) identities.”
Sophia Widdekind ’25, Marriage and Family Therapy master’s student with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Child Therapy
“April 5 was our third year hosting Trans Support Day, and we broke our attendance record with just over 370 attendees! This year, we added local affirmative business owners to our usual plethora of medical providers for surgery and hormone consultation, legal counsel for name and gender marker changes, LGBTQ+ resource centers, and so many more.
“We also had a donation-based free clothing store for folks looking for a wardrobe refresh for a job interview or who wanted to express their true identity through clothing for the first time. We also partnered with some phenomenal hair and makeup artists for free consultations and makeup application, with the sole mission of attendees feeling incredible and confident when they walked out the door.
“This event was special because everyone involved donated time out of their busy schedules to help uplift the trans community, especially during a time when fear and uncertainty are so painfully prevalent. The joy and gratitude we received as feedback gives us the fuel we need to continue to expand what we have to offer and reach communities far outside the Syracuse region in future years. We hope to inspire incoming students to join the team and join the fight for equal rights and access for everyone.”
About the Trans Team and MFT
The Trans team is part of the Syracuse University Couple and Family Therapy Center in Peck Hall, and students on the team receive specialized training to provide gender-affirmative therapy for transgender people and their families and assist in the readiness process for medical gender transition. Read more about the Trans Team in this story from Syracuse University’s central marketing content team.
The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics prepares students to work with marginalized populations, at-risk youth, and the LGBQ and transgender communities. In the Couple and Family Therapy Center, marriage and family therapy students gain supervised, hands-on clinical experience while providing free therapy services to families, couples, and individuals across Central New York. Visit the MFT webpage to learn more about academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities.