First Support Group Meeting Tonight

[dreamer_2.0]

It's been suggested by a number of people that meeting other trans folk in person is crucial. After chickening out 2 months ago and working last month, I'm finally going tonight. Not sure what to expect and hope I can remain a silent observer but we'll see in an hour when it begins.

Hoping it's worth calling in sick to work for!

[Angela Campbell]

I hope you enjoy it. Doing that is the most helpful thing I have done. I am in two groups and love each and every time I go.

[Nicole Erin]

Some groups are better than others.
The worst that could happen is you land in some group that is a clique and you are largely excluded and feel "alone in a crowded room". I had that happen once and they can cram it. Some weird short guy ran it.
We have another one that is ran by some foreign lady who everyone says is a c*** wipe.
But then others are mostly informal and even at your first meeting you feel like part of something. I attend one such group here in my town. Everyone is made to feel welcome and it is a good chill-time.

So hopefully you had a good experience. Not all TG groups are the same.

[dreamer_2.0]

This was a surprisingly good experience. It was for both trans-men and trans-women so it was interesting hearing all types of different experiences. Some were very good (young trans-girl who was there with her extremely supportive mother), though some were bad (young trans-man who came out to family and they completely reject him).

There were around 12 of us there and everyone shared a bit and got feedback. I got an email address for a trans-woman a little older than myself so it'll be nice to communicate with her.

On a side note, I've put myself on the waiting list for the gender clinic in my city. It's an 8 month wait so I've got plenty of time to continue preparing and deciding the best next step for me.

[Angela Campbell]

I have one of my "tranny" meetings tonight, so off I go!

[Barbara Ella]

So glad your meeting went well. Yes, it is crucial to meet others and learn firsthand, and see expressions as experiences are related. I went to my first TG support meeting two weeks ago, first Wed of each month. I met some wonderful women who are post op everything. I met some who were just starting and were just questioning their gender, and two of us who were TG/TS, knew it, justr beginning, and needed to discuss it. Made wonderful contacts. and will go dressed to the next one.

Barbara

[GirlieAmanda]

You have made your first step into a larger world.

[arbon]

I'm glad it worked out. I went to a group saturday night to, its always kind of special when I get to go.
I like being around other trans women there's just something special and genuine about them. I have made some very good friends

[sandra-leigh]

Dreamer, how was the support group meeting?

[dreamer_2.0]

I posted some comments about it a bit earlier in the thread. It was a good experience. :)