Meet Sean Hayes

We recently connected with Sean Hayes and have shared our conversation below.

Sean, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

When I think about my purpose in life, it all boils down to this: providing support and building safe community for trans and queer people.

I got my heart for helping others as a young person growing up in church. Having a “servant heart” was the foundation I learned about how to show up in the world. Later, as I became more aware of my own personal queer and trans identities, my purpose was honed in even further. Sadly, I didn’t receive the support and acceptance I needed from the people in my life when I came out, and so getting to help support and walk alongside others as they navigate their gender identity has become my heart’s deepest mission.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Being a co-founder of Trans Northland (TN) has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

TN got started back in 2015, the same year I realized I was transgender, myself. Our mission is to provide support, resources, and connection to people within the transgender community. This includes people who are non-binary, gender diverse, intersex, and any other identity under the transgender umbrella.

Support – We provide support through offering bi-weekly peer support groups, run by and for trans people. We’ve learned over the years, that sharing our own stories and experiences can help guide folks who are just beginning their gender journeys.

Resources – We provide resource navigation for community members and families, and help our folks connect with safe and inclusive community resources for whatever their needs are (for example: gender affirming healthcare, housing services, employment, addiction and mental health resources, and a lot more!)

Connection – During this current moment in US history, we know that our community needs safe spaces and places more than ever. We believe that creating and building an interconnected community greatly benefits trans and queer people. To do this, we organize community events, workshops, trainings, etc. We also host annual events for Transgender Day of Visibility, Trans Day of Remembrance, as well as a joy-full event called Trans Joy Fest. We’ve also curated a community events calendar that includes not only our events, but all LGBTQ+ inclusive events in and around our community.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Community – Early on in my organizing journey, I learned that I absolutely cannot do any of this kind of work alone. It takes a community! I’m so deeply grateful for the many mentors and teachers I’ve had along the way, who were sounding boards for me, held me accountable when I messed up, and who encouraged and supported my work.

Curiosity & Open-Mindedness – I’ve always been a curious person who loved learning about different people’s perspectives and lived experiences. I believe that it’s through curious conversations that we can each truly learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves. In a world that often times wants to label trans people as “other” or “unstable” or even “dangerous”, it’s vital that we keep open minds and keep having conversations, even if they are uncomfortable.

Care – I’ve always had a compassionate heart that cares deeply for people in my community. That part has come naturally for me, but caring for myself has been a longer and harder challenge. A teacher of mine once said “You’re doing good work now, but imagine all the good work you could do if your cup was full.” I’ve learned that caring for myself, first and foremost, will allow me to do this heart work for my community in even better ways, and for much longer without burning out.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

In 2023, Minnesota passed legislation making it a “Trans Refuge State”. This was a huge win for our community!

Now, our challenge in Minnesota is to be our word when we say this is a safe place for trans individuals and families. Currently, the state lacks infrastructure and services which must be developed, as we’ve already seen increasing numbers of trans refugees moving here from states that have enacted discriminatory bans.

At Trans Northland, we are actively brainstorming and planning for how we can make our community here in northern Minnesota a hospitable and safe landing place for these trans migrants. Housing and employment continue to be our biggest barriers when it comes to getting new residents stabilized, so we are working creatively and collaboratively with community partners to develop a business plan to provide those services in the future.

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