It is with tremendously heavy hearts that we share that our dear friend Jessica Johnston has passed away, succumbing to liver cancer after a courageous battle over the past year. Jess died peacefully at home with her beloved mother and friends at her side.

Jessica was a founding member of Renaissance New England (RNE) and served as Operations Director. Much more than that, she was truly one of a kind and a friend to all who knew her. She was a proud woman of transgender experience and was a vocal ambassador to every cisgender person she met.

Jess was passionate about the mission of RNE to provide peer support and financial assistance to transgender and gender-diverse people in need. As one of her final wishes, she asked that those wanting to support her transgender community consider donating to RNE.

RNE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt, charitable organization.

Donations to the Jessica Johnston Memorial Fund (JJMF) will be used to:

Enable RNE to provide 'rainy day' transitional relief funding to members of RNE and the greater transgender and gender-diverse community, focusing on cases of genuine financial need where the quality of life of the recipient of funds will be significantly improved.
Build and maintain RNE infrastructure, including but not limited to website development and hosting costs, booth fees and supplies for events and conferences, and advertising materials.
Support advocacy efforts on behalf of the transgender and gender-diverse community, including those efforts performed by RNE itself or by other nonprofit organizations with similar missions.

Distributions from the JJMF under these principles will be made only with the authorization of no less than three RNE board members. Donations will not be used for purely social activities.

About Renaissance New England

Renaissance New England (RNE) is an inclusive transgender and gender-diverse not-for-profit organization and welcomes trans-feminine or trans-masculine, part-time or full-time, gender fluid or non-binary, or intersex, adults together with their partners, adult family members, friends, allies, and supporters. We also welcome the parents of transgender and gender-diverse youth.

RNE is principally focused on:

Peer Support

Peer support is provided to members, their partners, adult family members, friends, allies, and supporters. Monthly meetings typically have a segment in which members can share experiences and discuss issues in a confidential and caring environment, free from judgement. For less experienced members of the transgender and gender-diverse community, or those undergoing significant life changes, support can also be offered through a 'Supportive Sibling' mentorship program.

Outreach

RNE’s Outreach program is designed to encourage and enhance LGBTQ+ and cisgender interaction. Our goals are to educate, to normalize cis-gender community experiences with the transgender and gender-diverse community, and to promote both RNE and worthy transgender and gender-diverse causes. RNE’s philosophy is to cooperate with other transgender, gender-diverse and LBGTQ+ groups on the basis that we are all stronger together. Outreach also includes participation by RNE members in other groups serving different segments of the LBGTQ+ community

Education

RNE educates its members, their families and supporters on transgender and gender-diverse related issues by accessing and disseminating available research via invited speakers, and in written materials. Education is also an important part of our Peer Support and Outreach programs.

RNE is managed on an open, transparent and democratic basis with an elected volunteer Board and Officers. The board may (at its discretion) appoint a non-executive chairperson and up to two appointed Directors by a majority vote of elected Directors.

Jessica Johnston Memorial Fund

Supporting the Transgender and Gender-Diverse Community

Team Members