Translife is a nonprofit organization in Santa Rosa, CA that envisions a safe world for the transgender and gender-expansive community to experience peace, joy, and connectedness.
We serve Sonoma County and surrounding areas, including but not limited to Mendocino County and Lake County, with special emphasis on rural communities.
Mission
Our mission is to foster a vibrant, healthy, and responsive community of, for, and by our transgender and gender-expansive population, those who love them, and those who support them.
We do this via:
- An annual community conference
- Training for professionals and allies
- Regular social and community events in Sonoma County and surrounding areas
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We give equal validity and respect to all gender expressions, including but not limited to binary, non-binary, genderfluid, agender, gender-expansive, and two-spirit genders.
We strive for cultural competency and to meet the needs of diverse populations. Our goal is to be active anti-racist allies, and to provide a safe and affirming environment for those with intersecting oppression, including but not limited to the trans LatinX, BIPOC, black, brown, undocumented, immigrant, disabled, unhoused, neurodivergent, and sex worker communities.
Meet the Team
Interested in joining our team? Email us at info@translifecommunity.org or fill out our volunteer form. We’d love to hear from you!
Mike Kessler
Co-Chair
Mike (they/he) is a non-binary human who transitioned from female to male in 2005. Mike has been with Translife since it’s inception in 2015, and is passionate about supporting their community. Mike is one of the co-founders of the Solano Pride Center and has been a queer and trans activist for the past 37 years, even though they insists they is only 26 years old. Mike is a licensed clinical social worker who currently works at Kaiser Santa Rosa on the Mental Health and Wellness Child Team as a generalist therapist and as the lead gender specialist. In they’s rare spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with and talking about their three beautiful cats, bird watching, learning about real history, racial and social justice activism, and learning to cook yummy vegan meals.
Email: mikek@translifecommunity.org
Dillon Yonash
Co-Chair, Communications Director
Dillon (he/him) is a husband, father, brother, and son. His first job was as a clown’s assistant, he graduated film school *mumbles* years ago, has worked for (and run!) many-a-film-festival, and currently works in marketing, advertising, and design. Dillon LOVES physical activity (lifting weights, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.) and nerdy games, and is passionate about using his gifts to support, heal, and uplift his community.
Arunima Kohli
Secretary/Treasurer
Arunima (she/her) has been a member of Translife since 2021. She first moved to Sonoma County in 2020 to take over the position of Lead Clinician at the Gender Clinic at Santa Rosa Community Health from Dr. Toni Ramirez, and she has been an active member of Sonoma County’s LGBTQIA+ community ever since. She has a long history of activism and leadership in both queer and non-queer spaces, including serving as Treasurer for her medical school’s LGBTQ-Meds group, helping unionize her residency at UC Davis, and helping pass a bill through the California State Legislature requiring due process for terminations from residency for reasons of professionalism. She is passionate about equity, justice, and education, and is proud to be a part of Translife and its mission to help build a safer, happier, and healthier Sonoma County for our transgender and gender-expansive community and those who love them.