Traction
Share
TRACTION is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Washington state.
TRACTION recognizes that there needs to be a societal shift in how trans and gender-diverse people are seen and understood in the world. We believe the best way to create change is to not just be visible, but to show up: to demonstrate our humanity by working together with allies and friends of all genders on community service projects that strive to lift up the most vulnerable among us — building relationships and collaborative partnerships along the way. Our goal is to cultivate a body of TRACTION members eager to collaborate with other organizations and offer our volunteer power and resources to assist underserved populations. In doing so, we increase trans visibility within the broader community while helping those in need.
Our newest episode of Trans Heartbeat features the incredible Joie Lou Shakur, filmmaker, cultural organizer, founder of Comfrey Films, and creator of the Black Trans Short Film Festival.
>> https://tractionpnw.org/tln/trans-heartbeat/
We talk about preserving Black trans history, training the next generation of storytellers, building community, and why our stories deserve to be remembered not just today, but for generations to come.
Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Support TRACTION at tractionpnw.org
+++++++++++++
Hosted and produced by Michelle N. Matlock
Edited and produced by StormMiguel Florez
Produced by Traction
Trans Heartbeat theme song "Mutual Aid" by Mya Byrne
Featuring music by
Project Open Arms is a trans+ resettlement-to-safety program of >>>TRACTIONpnw.org
"TRANSplant" Kit is getting settled!
One of our navigators shared this:
"Kit started their first day of work today! TRACTION helped them fly out of Athens, GA through Elevated Access (), planted the idea of them doing an apprenticeship, and helped find a couch through the couch network when they needed a place to crash for a week. It feels great that we were able to connect Kit to these resources. Now they can start getting settled into a new life in Bellingham. 🥰"
Details have been changed to protect privacy.
Katja Says: Get ready to TRANSform the Vote!
If your vote didn't matter, they wouldn't be working so hard to take it away.
So let's get ready!
Today: Check to make sure your voter registration is in order (go to vote.org -or- vote411.org -or- to your secretary of state's website)
09/15/2026
The Seattle Times Editorial Board urges voters to reject I-001!
They highlight how the harmful, MAGA-sponsored initiative is poorly written, poses a real risk to students’ access to mental health care, and could expose already vulnerable kids to harm in instances.
Vote NO on I-001 this November.
"The world is worth fighting for."
In this Trans Heartbeat episode Michelle and guest Eisa Al-Shamma talk about the transformative optimism to be found in trans+ art and performance.
👀 Full episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/z6FWELGJ1JM, Spotify, & Apple
Eisa Al-Shamma () is a writer, performer and activist who challenges us to reframe our own vulnerabilities because being fully yourself is both a gift and a powerful form of resistance.
Access: Closed Captions available on YouTube
Full accessible transcript available at bit.ly/transheartbeat
++++++++++++
Hosted and produced by Michelle N. Matlock
Edited and produced by StormMiguel Florez
Produced by Traction
Trans Heartbeat theme song "Mutual Aid" by Mya Byrne
+++++++++++++++++++
Image Description: A trans masculine person with olive skin and brown hair, round rimmed glasses and a green sweater, and a radiant smile.
Text: Trans Heartbeat Episode 13 Guest: Eisa Al-Shamma bit.ly/TransHeartbeat Links in bio
08/12/2026
THANK YOU, SEATTLE!
Today’s vote is historic. Seattle has once again led the nation as the first city in the United States to dedicate municipal funding specifically to support trans people escaping the wave of anti-trans legislation.
Today, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to approve $300,000 in funding for organizations serving trans people who have fled hostile states and sought safety in our city.
We especially want to thank Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who authored this amendment and championed it with conviction. We thank Councilmember Dan Strauss, who chairs the Finance, Native Communities & Tribal Governments Committee, for bringing this amendment to a vote and guiding it through committee with unanimous support.
And we thank every member of the council for putting trans lives above politics.
And while $300,000 is not enough, It is a beginning and we celebrate it as such. It will provide real relief, real beds, real bus passes, real food, and real housing support.
We look forward to building on this foundation with you. We will keep showing up with the data, the stories, and the moral case, until the need is met.
But today, we say thank you.
With gratitude and resolve,
C. Michael Woodward, MPH
Executive Director, TRACTION
"The arc of the moral universe doesn't bend itself. Someone always has to pull it." -Sharon McMahon
This month on Trans Heartbeat, Michelle is joined by performer, teacher, organizer, writer, and all-around amazing human Eisa Al-Shamma
👀 Full episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/z6FWELGJ1JM
We talk about identity, theater, joy, resistance, and why being fully yourself can change the world.
Plus: clown stories.
Because of course there are clown stories!
Closed Captions available on YouTube
Full accessible transcript available at bit.ly/transheartbeat
++++++++++++
Hosted and produced by Michelle N. Matlock
Edited and produced by
Produced by
Trans Heartbeat theme song "Mutual Aid" by Mya Byrne
IMAGE DESCRIPTION
Eisa, a trans masculine person with olive skin and brown hair, round rimmed glasses wears an oversized christmas sweater with grey and black stripes. Eisa smiles proudly and lifts his arms out - the arms of the sweater hang off of his arms, comically because they are two times longer than Eisa’s arms. The sweater has a giant gold christmas tree and snowflakes sewn on the front. Eisa wears tiara and a red and white sash that reads “Sweater Award.”
Text: Trans Hearbeat Episode 13 Guest: Eisa Al-Shamma bit.ly/TransHeartbeat Links in bio
Project Open Arms helps trans+ people relocate to sanctuary. We've been at it since 2023 and requests for aid just keep increasing.
You can help by donating and volunteering with us tractionpnw.org
Meanwhile, CONGRATS "Irena!"
[Names and details changed to protect privacy]
08/06/2026
There is nothing more gender affirming than when anti-trans commenters misgender me incorrectly. I suppose they can’t comprehend a butch trans woman when it contradicts their narrative of us reinforcing gender roles or being feminine gay men.
07/14/2026
The illegal attempt of the federal government to dictate who receives medical care and what kind of medical care they receive, has been paused.
Trump's HHS abandons threat to withhold Medicare and Medicaid funding over trans care NPR has learned that the Department of Health and Human Services will not be finalizing its most aggressive attempt to end gender-affirming care for youth nationally.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Website
Address
Seattle, WA