What is True Self Studio?
True Self Studio (TSS) is Rochester Pride’s completely free gender-affirming closet, created by the community, for the community.
Currently available at pop-up events throughout the region, TSS provide free clothing and gender-affirming care items to transgender and gender non-conforming people who need them.
The heart of True Self Studio is that everyone deserves access to clothing, resources and care that help them feel comfortable, confident and more like themselves.
Want to Get Involved?
We'd love to have you join the True Self Studio volunteer team!
If you're interested in volunteering at an upcoming donation day or pop-up event, please reach out to our volunteer team at volunteer@rochmnpride.org.
Interested in Donating?
Our closet is made possible through community donations. We accept gently used clothing and used binders, along with new gender-affirming items. We also purchase new binders, trans tape, packers, underwear, socks, and other essential items to help fill gaps in what our community needs.
Please note: We accept used clothing and used binders, but we do not accept used underwear or socks.
We only accept physical donations on our donation days. Keep an eye on our events page and social media accounts for our next True Self Studio donation day!
How True Self Studio Started
True Self Studio began in 2025 after Rochester Pride received funding from the Rochester Area Foundation’s Better Community Grants program.
That funding gave us the opportunity to turn an idea into reality: creating a free, accessible resource where members of our community could find clothing, gender-affirming supplies, and connections to other supportive resources, without cost being a barrier.
What started as a vision quickly became a community-powered resource.
The Impact of True Self Studio
True Self Studio officially launched at Rochester Pride 2026 with our first full pop-up event.
Alongside the free clothing closet, we brought together community partners and volunteers to offer additional gender-affirming resources and services. Queer hairstylist Sunny provided free gender-affirming haircuts, the Volunteer Lawyers Network shared information about name changes and gender-marker changes, and The Center Clinic provided health testing and resources.
Since then, True Self Studio has continued bringing these resources directly to the community.
In 2026, we attended:
Rochester Pride 2026 — May
The Artery Market — August
The Center Clinic Health Fair in Dodge Center — September
Austin Pride — Saturday, October 10, 2026
And this is only the beginning.
In the short time since launching, True Self Studio has already provided:
150+ clothing items and accessories
20+ binders
30+ rolls of trans tape and accessories
Every item represents a community member who was able to access something they needed, freely and without judgment.
Help Us Build What Comes Next
True Self Studio is powered by community, and we want to continue expanding what we can offer.
We're looking to connect with LGBTQIA+ community members, artists, tradespeople, and skilled professionals who want to share their time and talents with the transgender and gender-nonconforming community.
We're especially interested in connecting with people who can offer:
Sewing classes
Clothing alteration and tailoring skills
Makeup lessons and styling
Haircuts and gender-affirming hairstyling
Fashion and personal styling
Crafting and creative skills
Other special skills, trades, or educational opportunities
If you have a skill you would love to share with the community, we'd love to hear from you. Please email info@rochmnpride.org with how you are looking to be involved!
