Tucson provides several opportunities to meet trans individuals. You can socialize with the community both online and offline.
But some people find it challenging to connect with TGs above the age of 30 due to the city being a college town.
But don’t worry! We have outlined various methods to help you find trans people, regardless of your age.
So join us as we talk about the best places to meet trans in Tucson.
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Tucson
1) Bars and Clubs
Since Tucson is a college town, you’ll find a lot of young trans individuals in bars and nightclubs.
The city has quite a few inclusive spaces, especially in the downtown area. So let’s go over some of your options.
Tucson Hop Shop – Lesbian dating hotspot that is also frequented by trans folks. They even host events like Queer Bazaar that are really worth keeping an eye on.
The Royal Room – Cozy bar that is popular among the LGBT+ community. Even if you don’t meet trans folks here, you’ll certainly find plenty of liberal people who can point you in the right direction.
Surly Wench – An inclusive bar that has queer and trans employees and patrons.
They host monthly burlesque shows and frequent dance parties which are great to socialize and flirt with trans individuals.
IBT’s Bar – During the evening, this place has a lot of drunk straight people looking for casual fun.
But as the night progresses and drag shows start, it’s mostly LGBTQ+ folks and especially TGs enjoying drag queen performances. You can see a glimpse of the fun in this video…
2) Support Groups
Tucson has some amazing support groups to connect with the trans community.
One of the biggest is SAGA which provides trans support not only in Tucson but the entirety of Arizona.
They have a social/support group by the name of Desert Boyz that primarily targets people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) but fall towards the transmasculine spectrum.
Similarly, there’s a group called Desert Sisters for people that were assigned male at birth (AMAB) folks but identify more towards the transfeminine side.
And while these groups are more trans-focused, anyone interested in the concept of gender can join their meetups.
They’re especially great for people who want to date or make trans friends above the age of 30.
3) Trans Dating Sites
Tucson has a thriving trans community, and let’s not forget that it’s a college town.
So naturally, you’ll find plenty of TGs online. Whether you’re into dating or just want to make friends, OkCupid works great.
Even Tinder is quite active in Tucson and especially has a lot of trans women across Arizona willing to travel for something serious.
But if you’re after something more casual then consider hopping onto TSDates instead.
4) Community Centers
If you’re looking for a community center, then one of your options is the Thornhill Lopez Center.
It’s aimed at ages 13-24 and provides support to the LGBT+ community but is mostly popular among trans youth.
And if you don’t fit into that age category, then another option is the LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
It’s an organization that provides support to the LGBT community. They host events at different venues which are great for meeting trans individuals.
5) LGBT-Friendly Events
You’ll find many private events that cater to the LGBT community in Tucson.
Most of them are hosted by Splinter Collective. They have great variety too as it’s not only just workshops but also drag shows – where you’re likely to find TGs.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for the parties hosted by Fruit Cocktail Lounge held at the Century Room at Hotel Congress.
They take place on the 2nd Sunday of every month and really bring the LGBTQ+ community together, making it a hotspot for trans meetups.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Tucson
Similar to Phoenix, Tucson stands out as a blue dot in the conservative state of Arizona, and it’s proud of its inclusive community.
It’s one of the first cities to offer gender identity protection. You’ll find a lot of great people here who support diversity and are generally very friendly toward trans individuals.
I’ve had several trans friends in Tucson, and they haven’t faced any major issues. I believe that this diversity will continue to thrive and grow in the future.
But just a heads up that you’re not entirely safe from jerks who’d use transphobic slurs like “tranny” and “shemale” just to mess with you.
They mostly come from the suburbs and can easily be avoided especially if you stay in the downtown/university area.
Common Questions From The Trans Community
Where to meet trans women in Tucson?
One of the best ways to meet trans women in Tucson is by joining a social support group like Desert Sisters. Alternatively, you can also meet trans people online on dating sites.
Is Tucson a trans-friendly city?
Tucson comes right behind Phoenix for being one of the most trans-friendly cities in Arizona. It has strong gender identity protection laws and very liberal and friendly people, especially near the downtown area.
When is the Tucson Pride Parade hosted?
Tucson Pride Parade is normally hosted in the last week of September at Reid Park. It’s one of the longest-running and oldest pride festivals in the state of Arizona.
