Meeting transgender individuals in Jacksonville can be challenging because the community is small and closeted. But there are still some opportunities to connect.
The key lies in knowing where to go.
Luckily, whether you’re seeking support, friendship, or casual encounters – we’ve got all the info you need.
In this article, we’ll help you discover some inclusive places in Jacksonville to meet trans men and women whether online or offline. So let’s get right into it!
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Jacksonville
1. Bars and Clubs
While Jacksonville doesn’t have any TG centered night venues, there are more than enough queer spots.
That means you’ll meet not only trans folks at those places but also non-binary, gay, gender-fluid, bi, pan, and so on…
Some venues also host specific themed nights where the crowd may skew towards trans so keep an eye out for those.
But moving on, you will likely find TGs at the following bars and clubs.
Incahoots – You’ll find a few trans people here most nights to enjoy drag performances. My only complaint is that they keep playing the same music and allow cigarette smoking inside the bar.
Eclipse Club – The most visited nightclub in the city. You’ll find a mix of cis and queer/trans folks here all dancing the night away. Needless to say, it’s also a great place for hookups.
Park Place Lounge – This is a welcoming gay bar known for its cozy atmosphere with subdued lighting. Patty is running it in a friendly way for over 40 years making this place safe for all of us.
Boot Rack Saloon – When I say “dive bar” I mean it in a good way. Aside from their cheap drinks, they also accept the whole LGBT+ society which is a rare but amazing thing.
Hamburger Mary’s – This famous American restaurant chain is well-known for its lively drag brunches.
You’ll likely encounter trans individuals among the staff and performers here. And based on this video, they sure know how to put on a show…
2. Community Centers and Organizations
Sadly, Jacksonville doesn’t have an official LGBT+ community center.
However, the city does have a few organizations that host TG focused support groups.
One of them is COLORS. You can see a list of upcoming trans-centered events on their site.
And they also accept volunteers – which I believe is a great way to directly connect with the closeted trans community of the city.
Another organization is JASMYN. While primarily focused on LGBTQ+ youth, they offer support and resources for transgender individuals of all ages.
If you’re a student, then it’s also worth checking out the UNF Resource Center.
It offers support, educational programs, and a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ students and the wider community.
Lastly, for those into sports, check out the events hosted by Stonewall Sports Jacksonville.
Even if you’re not competing, you can visit their post-game meetups to socialize with the community.
3. Trans Dating Sites
Most TGs in Jacksonville stay low-key and rely on online dating sites to make new friends and date.
But the thing is, you’ll only openly find trans users on a few selected apps. After trying out several sites, I found OkCupid to be the best choice.
It had a lot of T’s, probably because it’s one of the few apps that offers visibility to trans users with expanded genders and orientations.
I met most of my trans friends in this city through OkCupid, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Another site that I used is TSDates. But most of the users here are looking for casual fun. And beware, the site is also full of chasers.
4. Online Groups and Pages
There are a few online groups in Jacksonville but unfortunately, none of them are trans-centered.
But anyway, if you want to date then this LGBT Polyamory Community is definitely a great start.
It has a mix of swingers and LGBT+ folks looking to date and swap so you’ll find plenty of open-minded people here.
Then there’s another Jacksonville LGBT+ Facebook group that also has members from surrounding areas and it’s pretty active.
Lastly, you can also check out the page of The Queer Trans Project organization. They operate in Jacksonville and often host trans get-togethers.
5. Other LGBT+ Spaces
If nothing else works, then there are also a few other LGBT+ spaces that you can try visiting.
The most popular place is The Walrus. It’s a vegan restaurant that instantly became my go-to place in the city.
Everyone is just so social and welcoming, I also met a few trans individuals here.
Another great spot is Femme Fire Books, a feminist owned bookstore. It has the sweetest owners, and you’ll meet plenty of fun and open-minded people here.
And if you’re looking for a trans friendly gym, then Snap Fitness would be my choice.
It has a really inclusive atmosphere, and the staff has zero tolerance for discrimination.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Jacksonville
Jacksonville has made some decent progress in recent years, but it’s still far from being a haven for trans individuals.
I stayed here for two weeks and had a harder time connecting with the community than I normally do in other cities.
And that’s probably because there aren’t a lot of trans people in Jacksonville, to begin with.
The ones I did end up meeting talked about how they’d prefer to move to a better city like Seattle or Portland.
Another major concern is that finding trans healthcare can also be challenging as there are only a handful of good doctors.
Top that up with the fact that there aren’t enough LGBT+ spaces either.
So unless you’re a beach junkie, most of your days would be spent at the same old places.
All in all, while Jacksonville isn’t the worst city for trans folks, I would not really recommend it either.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Jacksonville
The trans social scene in this city is pretty dull. Aside from the lack of nightlife spaces, there’s no community center either.
Online dating sites often act as a saving grace. However, for them to work, you have to put an effort into making your profile.
I can say that meeting trans individuals often becomes a matter of luck. But the methods I’ve highlighted in this article will definitely make the process easier.
As I wrap up, remember that the trans community in Jacksonville is small so patience is the key.
