Vision, Purpose & Mission
History
Board of Directors
Advisory Board
Advisors
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Vision

We believe every child and youth has a right to
freely express their gender identity as they experience it.

We believe families deserve access to accurate and supportive
information regarding gender identity development and expression.

We believe youth should be assisted in experiencing pubertal
development that is congruent with their gender identity, if they so desire.

We believe transgender or gender non-conforming identity
in children and youth is no less authentic than cisgender identity.

Purpose

The purpose of TransActive shall be to educate the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community.

Mission

TransActive provides necessary support to improve the quality of life of transgender and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families through education, services, advocacy and research.

History

The need for an organization like TransActive has been in existence for as long as there have been children and youth who do not experience their gender in a way that conforms to either their assigned birth sex or societal male/female stereotypes.

In August of 2006, TransActive founder Jenn Burleton recognized there was a gap not only in services offered to trans and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families, but even more significantly, that children were being left out of the struggle for transgender rights, respect and inclusion. She realized that while online support groups were a valuable resource for parents, the "real world" invisibility of trans/gender non-conforming children and youth had not really changed much in the decades since she was an transgender child.

Sharing her vision and concept with others, Jenn soon found allies in parents, families, health care providers, trans-adult advocates and most importantly, the youth themselves.

Incorporated as a non-profit organization, TransActive has grown into a  diverse and motivated volunteer team of transgender and cisgender people, working together to provide these amazing children and youth a present and future in which they can achieve their dreams and express their individuality.

Board of Directors

Jenn Burleton

An outspoken advocate on behalf of transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth, Jenn has played a primary role in raising local and national awareness of the challenges these children and their families face. She is a respected expert, visionary and leading thinker on gender identity and gender expression.

In addition to her work with TransActive, Jenn is on the Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition Board of Directors and is a member of the GLBTQ Online High School Advisory Board.

Jenn is a member of the Basic Rights Oregon Trans Policy Workgroup. The group will research, deliberate on and design a multi-level policy strategy that can guide Basic Rights Oregon's work for transgender justice.

She is a 2008 recipient of the Ingersoll Center Founder's Award.


Hayley Klug

A native Oregonian, Hayley is a dynamic ally to gender non-conforming children, youth and their families. A 2006 graduate of the Duke University School of Engineering, Hayley balances her dedication with the analytical approach necessary to help guide TransActive towards achieving our Mission and Vision.

While at Duke, as Senior Design Leader, Hayley led the school's Formula SAE racing team to their highest finish ever at a nationwide competition.


Kaig Lightner

Kaig attended the University of Washington where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. He has been working with children and youth for nearly 15 years as a coach, mentor and educator and is currently the Program Director for a Portland-area youth activity organization.

Kaig believes in the incredible power of the youth voice and wants to see people of all ages and genders respected equally and fully.


Cher Noonan

At both the national and local level, Cher Noonan is a highly successful and well respected professional in the transportation, logistics and network administration field. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, she received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree and even then was already actively volunteering with non-profit organizations working to ensure that all people have a voice and receive the respect they deserve.

Prior to joining the TransActive Board of Directors, Ms. Noonan served on the Board of the American Cancer Society/Oregon Division, including two years as President and five years on Income Development. She's also served the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette as Chair of the Grant Review Committee and as an Access to Healthcare Advocate.

For several years, she volunteered her management skills to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as Business Manager of the Health Information Trade Show, as well as playing a key role on Income Development with the American Heart Association. 


Sheryl Rindel, LPC, NCC

Though she now calls the Portland area home, Sheryl Rindel is a Texas native and a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelors Degree in Human Development Family Studies and a Masters Degree in Counselor Education. She has been working with families who have experienced domestic violence for more than twenty years.

"In working with victims of domestic violence, I see myself in the role of advocate; walking side by side with a person in order to validate and empower them to be exactly who they are."

Advisory Board

Heidi Allen, Ph.D.
Director - Oregon Health, Research and Evaluation Collaborative
Office for Oregon Health Policy & Research/Oregon Health Fund Board
Professor - Portland State University/Graduate School of Social Work

Sarah Bennett
Community Organizer
Youth Advocate

Nancy Campbell
Senior Judge (Retired)
Washington County Circuit Court

Ivan M. Karmel
Attorney-at-Law
Portland, Oregon

Sarah Keefe
Income Development Manager
Washington County Domestic Violence Resource Center

Debby Larsen
Youth Advocate

Michelle Lagos
Owner - Designs By Michelle
Portland Area Business Association

Stephanie Lourenco
Portland Police Bureau

Tammy Markham, MS
School Counselor
New Urban High School

Teri Noble
President
PFLAG Oregon State Council

Claudia Ruf
Assistant Principal
Beaverton High School

Advisors