Who We Are

OurTransLife.org was conceived and founded to exclusively serve the Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender-Nonconforming communities of the Greater Bridgeport Region. Offering Peer-Led Support Workshops, Supportive and Educational Resources, and acting as Public Advocate for our gender-diverse community. 

Mission Statement

Fostering fellowship among the trans and gender-diverse folks of the Greater Bridgeport Region through peer-led groups and community education and advocacy in the service of inclusivity and authenticity.

Meet the Team

Julia DiCola

Founder and Executive Director

(she/her/hers)

Julia is a very proud Transgender Woman. Relocating to Bridgeport and beginning her transition about 10 years ago settling in the downtown area. Having her roots from New York, she soon felt a sense of the NYC vibe of the Downtown community with its rich vitality  of diverse cultural communities and quickly adopted it as her spiritual home.

With her first days of transition, came the inspiration that transitioning is a gift and in gratitude has been giving back to the community through efforts in volunteering and working directly with non-profit organizations of Bridgeport. Initially volunteering in meal kitchens and food pantries and outreach activities for homeless and homeless youth, Eventually she became associated with GBAPP as Strategic Development Director and Triangle Community Center as Director of Programs & Services. Julia is a former Board Director and Board Chair of Optimus Health Care of Bridgeport. Currently; Julia is currently a Board member and serves as Vice President of the  Board of Bridgeport Pride Center, Member of the Steering Committee Greater Bridgeport Pride and is a Stakeholder Member of CT Children’s Research Institute R.E.A.C.H. initiative. She has had the honor of being recognized as among five women making history in Bridgeport in 2021 and 2024.

Bliss Kern

Deputy Executive Director

(per/per/pers)

Bliss is currently starting field work in the MA in Clinical Mental Health at Fairfield University, with a concentration in Sexual and Gender Minorities. Per brings to the field past careers in education and behavior, which dovetail with per history of studying queer theory and advocating for  LGBTQ+ community action. Per areas of interest in counseling focus on group dynamics and optimizing group therapeutic methods for positive identity development, especially for adolescents and late transitioners. Per currently works with the Greater Waterbury Pride Coalition, Comptroller Scanlon’s LGBTQ+ health sub committee, Connecticut Children's  Medical Center’s LGBTQ+ Portal Project, and Q Plus. Per has previously worked in community outreach, clinician education, and gender group co-facilitation.


Blaze Lovell

Social Media Outreach Manager

(she/they)

Blaze Lovell is a proud nonbinary individual who lives and works in the Greater Bridgeport Area. They are notorious for becoming excited easily and for their overuse of dad jokes.

Blaze is a survivor of abuse and of various traumas, and having been raised in conservative settings, it was also difficult for them to come to terms with being bisexual and nonbinary. Like many who have faced similar life experiences, they struggled with emotional and mental health issues. But, from an open mind and will to thrive, they now live an authentic and fulfilling life, and have used their past to gain a more holistic worldview. 

With support and guidance, Blaze became a leader in LGBTQ+ and transgender activism in their local community, serving as an executive board member and eventually the president of their college’s LGBTQ+ Alliance. They love working with the rest of the OurTransLife.org team to pay forward the same support, community, and healing to the trans youth of Bridgeport.

Blaze’s life philosophy is “Never stop growing,” and they believe everyone in the world is united in being on their unique journey to make sense of life, and of themselves, in the best ways they can.

Briana Wahl

Website and Communication Manager

(they/them/theirs)

Briana has experience in nonprofit management and communications, with a background in the arts and management. Briana is originally from Colorado and moved to Bridgeport in 2021. They received their Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2016 and their Master’s degree from Pratt Institute in 2020. 

Jeantte Allam

Development Specialist

(she/her/hers)

Jeanette is an ally of our greater queer community and a longstanding advocate, committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. With a wealth of experience developing funding strategies, she fosters partnerships with stakeholders to leverage resources, promotes inclusivity, and drives positive change, helping nonprofits make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Jeanette is a Bridgeport native and resident, proud graduate of HCC, and an active board member serving several NPOs advancing social justice. With great enthusiasm and passion for the mission and purpose of OurTransLife, Jeanette is eager in her role as Development Specialist to propel us into a successful and sustainable future.