meetings

[daphne g]

hi there everyone that go to cd meetings
id like to know the reasons why you go and was it what you expected
I've never been but
I've found one near to me that id have to stay at a hotel tho
only my reason would be just to get out
im not sure how i would feel with others around me
I'm certainly not looking for sexy times
although i don't think this group is about that
i hope i get some real answers here and thanks

[BLUE ORCHID]

-Hi Daphne, I think that you would enjoy spending time with like minded friends.:hugs:

[Linda E. Woodworth]

Hi Daphne,

It's nice to be out somewhere other than home with a group of friends to chat about anything.

As I told my wife, it gets tiring being dressed up with no where to go.

Just going out to a club together or a restaurant for dinner can be a blast.

[pamela7]

I've tried two local groups. Rather like here, all we have in common is the crossdressing/TG. The first group I attended was just not for me, it was like being in a room full of the shy girls wearing dowdy clothes from the dark ages of fashion! The second group was a lot better for me, with some show-stopping gals dressed to the nines. The groups were both though mostly M2F transsexuals either post-transition, transitioning or planning to transition, with plain CD'ers in the minority. There was also an edge of bi-dating which was not for me. So I was disappointed but I still plan to attend more groups and to return to the second group.

[Heidi Stevens]

Hi Daphne, I think you should go if the group checks out. My therapist has told me that Heidi needs some group interaction to improve and so I'm headed to my first multi day event next month. Those members have been welcoming on line, so I'm not as scared as I might have been
Find a group and go!

[heatherdress]

Daphne - I have attended several crossdressing group meetings, weekends and functions. I have always been welcomed and felt very secure and accepted. They all tend to be different and your experience will vary depending on venue, agendas, attendees and yourself.

Some groups are more focused on education and learning with guest speakers. Honestly, I find meetings like that to often be boring. Some groups are 100% social but you have to communicate and let yourself enjoy the conversation and company of others. Conversations range from football to high heel shopping. Some functions are dinners or adventures at restaurants or shows which are also entertaining and exciting.

Week-long or weekend functions are also very different depending upon location and planned activities. Some take place totally within the secluded confines of a hotel. Some include shops, restaurants and golf courses.

I enjoy dressing up socially and most meetings have been fun, and all activities and functions a lot of fun..

One thing I have learned about attending these social functions and activities is the diversity of people who crossdress. Lawyers, truck drivers, cops, young, middle age, senior, tall, short, well dressed, semi-dressed, perfect make up, no make up, those who blend in, those who do not care if they blend in, attractive, not so attractive. But all accepting and beautiful in their own individual way. I have learned a lot, gained a lot of confidence, and enjoyed them.

[Cheryl T]

I joined a Tri-Ess chapter some years ago.
My reason was firstly that I had this NEED to get out and meet others like myself. I grew up thinking I was alone in this and then when I found out I wasn't all I saw were images of Drag Queens and ********. I always wanted to meet someone else who was REAL like me. Just average people who shared the same interest and feelings.
What I found was a range of people from different backgrounds and different ages ... who were just like me. I didn't have to explain WHY, or HOW this began. They KNEW without me telling them. Granted our experiences were different but it was amazing how very similar we were.
It also helped at home as my wife went with me and discovered these same things. She realized that we weren't Pervs, we weren't crazies, we were just different in our needs. There were cops and engineers and sanitation workers and teachers. There were people...just normal everyday people.

This group got me to go out in public my first time and broke that layer of fear. They helped me grow and feel good about myself and not feel that this was something to be ashamed of. They helped me find me.

[Sometimes Steffi]

I agree with Heather and Cheryl

This (http://www.meetup.com/DC-TransLadies-Community/)is the latest group I've been in.

I've gone out with them about once a month for almost 3 years now. There's nothing like meeting others like me FtF. It's given me a social group so that I know I'm not alone, give me friends who I can do femme things with, confidence to go out and affirmation that I can't get from my wife, with whom I have a DADT relationship.

I've been going out with one group or another for about 8 years now.

[jenniferinsf]

i have been out and about dressed in public for a while. lots of confidence and have never had a bad experience so i am wondering if going out with others is really for me. i told my wife i would like never join a group and go out. i tend to agree with pamela... worried that all we have in common is dressing up. i would sooner be with people that i relate to in other areas of interested regardless of the gender. if i need make up advice i would go to macy's, if i need support i go to my wife and friends.
having said that i recently joined my first group (this site is my second) and have agreed to a meet with others on the 26th of this month. no sure what to expect but will go and be open to what happens.

[Nolacdflorida]

This is a really good thread and I have been reading the replies with great interest. I know there is nothing like this around my area, but there are a few groups within a 5 hour drive in Atlanta and Orlando. The problem I have is getting there and being seen as "the guy over there in a dress" as from what I have seen of the people that go they are far far more plausible than I could ever be.

[Helen_Highwater]

my reason would be just to get out
im not sure how i would feel with others around me



being seen as "the guy over there in a dress" as from what I have seen of the people that go they are far far more plausible than I could ever be.

Daphne, Nola,
I've only attended a group meeting once where I was away from home and a) I'm really glad I did; b) so much so I'm planning to do it again later this year.

The group I attended made me feel very welcome. I'd emailed the group secretary and asked if it was ok for me to turn up and was told it wasn't a problem, I was more than welcome and that was the case. On arrival I made myself know to the secretary and if anything that was the most uncomfortable moment. Not knowing should I use a femme voice or speak with my normal one, the proverbial fish out of water. As it turned out all used their "normal" voice. I introduced myself to a few gals sat around a table, bought a diet coke from the bar (my first time talking face to face with a muggle!), sat down and we talked. I gave them my background and we talked about our individual journeys. How some had been forced out of the closet by circumstance, others who'd always been out from their early years. We talked about being out in public, shopping experiences, all the things you might expect. I quickly realised that as you'd expect, we came in all shapes and sizes. There were gals there way taller than me who would struggle to pass, other with figures to die for. Hearing them talk about going out to buy clothes etc actually gave me a huge confidence lift such that the next day i went into a shop dressed for the first time, later that evening going to the cinema dressed by myself and the following night a restaurant.

The age old question, what to wear? Most groups have a web site with a gallery. See what's shown there but if you opt for smart/tidy to blend you shouldn't go far wrong. Unless you choose a special event night were everyone glams up expect not to be in your best ball gown and killer heels.

I would say that this is something you should definitely do. If it doesn't work out, the style, the format isn't you then just chalk it up to experience. You have so much to gain and little if nothing to loose. And to answer your question as to how you will feel, well for me it just felt right, natural and in no way strange.

"what I have seen of the people that go they are far far more plausible than I could ever be. "

Nola, trust me on this one, the camera often flatters. I would be very surprised if you turned up and all those there were glamour models. Very few of use truly pass we just need to do the best we can.

[chris63]

I go a transgender group here in Nashville. It's great! We have girls and guys from all over the trans spectrum.

[Rebekah_uk]

I would love to find a support group here in Ottawa. I know I am not alone but would love meet other like minded Otttawa ladies. To make friends and maybe go out and have a little fun with.

[Kandi Robbins]

I enjoy group functions, but you need to understand that being a CD means so many different things to each and every girl. Just find the girls that closely align to your view of the world. You dress the way that most makes you happy. I tend to dress like a 54 year old office woman. Makes me happy, makes me comfortable. And there will be drag queens there, girls in transition, very short skirts, very high heels and other girls like me. For me, interaction with others is what I want as Kandi. You'll begin to feel that you are not alone, while you may know that intellectually, it will help you feel like part of the community. Keep your expectations low, first time out, just make a friend and then build from there. The more you go out, the more you will evolve as a woman.