Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Blahaj Church is a real, active spiritual community. We gather monthly in the San Francisco Bay Area for worship, hold weekly virtual gatherings, and are building a community rooted in the belief that gender diversity is sacred. Our name may be playful, but our mission is sincere.

We are an active spiritual community that is in the process of filing for formal recognition. We are not yet a legally incorporated religious organization, but we are working toward that goal. Regardless of legal status, we are a real community of people who gather regularly for worship, mutual support, and spiritual practice.

We are incorporated in California and our IRS 501(c)(3) application is pending. Donations are not currently tax-deductible.

"Blahaj" is the Swedish word for "blue shark" and is also the name of a popular IKEA stuffed shark toy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blahaj became a beloved symbol of comfort and solidarity in the trans community online. We adopted the name as a symbol of that warmth and support. The Blahaj Church is not affiliated with or endorsed by IKEA.

The Sparkling Pink Pandas (SPP) is an independent trans-focused motorcycle and scooter group based in San Francisco. Several of our congregants are also SPP members, and we participate in SF Pride and Trans March through the club. SPP is not a ministry of the church — it is a separate community organization with its own mission — but we share members, values, and a commitment to trans visibility and safety.

Yes. We welcome all who affirm and accept the sacredness of trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex people. You do not need to be trans to be part of our community — you need to share our values of love, acceptance, and support.

HRT Communion is a gathering where members who take hormone replacement therapy may choose to do so together as a communal act of affirmation and celebration. It is a spiritual ritual, not a medical service. The church does not prescribe, dispense, or administer any medications. Members bring and take their own prescribed medications. Participation is entirely voluntary — members who do not take HRT, or prefer to take it privately, participate through presence and support.

Email us at info@blahajchurch.org to join our mailing list. We share specific meeting locations by email in advance of each gathering for security reasons. We meet monthly in the San Francisco Bay Area, alternating between Oakland and San Francisco, and hold weekly virtual gatherings online.

No, we do not have a permanent building. We gather in rented and borrowed spaces in the San Francisco Bay Area. Because our congregation is small and faces security concerns due to anti-trans hostility, we share specific locations only by email with those who RSVP. We also gather weekly online for virtual worship.

No. All references to HRT, puberty blockers, and other medical treatments on this site are spiritual affirmations of their value. We do not provide medical advice, prescriptions, or medical services. We always encourage individuals to work with qualified healthcare providers for medical decisions. Our ministers are trained in basic safety skills (first aid, naloxone administration) as a harm-reduction measure, not as medical practitioners.

Yes. You can participate without using your legal name, without sharing your location, and without appearing on camera during virtual gatherings. We do not require identity documents to join or participate. See our Safety & Privacy page for more details about how we protect our community.