Support Groups

[Sandra Dunn]

Who goes to a support group? Who has a support group near them? If one is near and you do not go would be so kind and tell me why?
I facilitate a support group here in Amarillo and I want it to grow and be of assistance to those that come. I need some of your concerns and praises you have about support groups. In order to met the needs of our sisters and brothers I need this information. This is an open TG support group for TGs , their families and friends of TGs no matter where they fall in the TG spectrum.

[Bev06 GG]

HI Sandra,
Good on you. We go to a support group. Its about an hours drive from our home and apart from when we have been away on vacation we have never missed a month during the past two years or more.
As a consequence we have made many new friends and actually have meetings at our homes inbetween times. Its great and funny how you can travel for an hour and still meet up with your neighbours who live in the same town as you do.
We started going because it was an occassion when Jay could dress for something special, we have now developed our social life and I would say that we have long outgrown the support side of things. However, we have continued to go because apart from an opportunity to meet with our friends who dont live on our doorstep, we have also had many opportunities to help and befriend others. Some of the Girls who come are petrified and because Jay was the same to begin with we both know how to relate to the girls who find it a big ordeal.
I have to say that after a harrowing month at work I do look forward to meeting my friends in a chilled out social environment, where nobody expects you to be any one other than who you are and theres no pressure to meet deadlines etc.
I have spoken with some girls who have stopped attending and the reason they have given me is that it is same old same old every month. They would wish for more variety, maybe speakers, or people demonstrating various skills like photography, makeup etc etc. I know what they mean but you will never please everyone will you. We have something light to eat, there is tea and coffee, we have a raffle etc and generally just sit around talking and sharing with one another.
I wish you every sucess with yours I am sure it will be popular, perhaps you will let us know how things turn out for you.
Take care
Bev

[Sarah...]

We don't go to one - there's nothing like that anywhere near here that I can find. :sad: Which is galling, 'cos there were quite a few where we used to live.

I'd love to go to one.

Sarah...

[ShannonDragon]

Here in Indy we have an open support group called IXE. We are the oldest group in the state having been around 20+ years.

I like support groups because you meet people in the flesh rather than virtual. Boards like this are great for getting quick answers to questions but nothing beats meeting a person for real. :tongueout

[trannie T]

I have been to meetings of two very different groups, the first, Diablo Valley Girls in Walnut Creek, California is a social group, the meetings have no agenda, people come and go throughout the evening and the people are very friendly, I am able to go to their meetings once a year and peope remember me and greet me each year, I really wish I lived closer. The second is a group that meets at a Rainbow Place in Reno which is a center for the LBGT community. The group seems primarily oriented to the Transexuals and is very serious. the people in the group are dealing with serious issues and that is reflected in the meetings. It also is a friendly organization.

If you live in an area with a group you should check out a meeting or two.

[CandyDarling]

I have reached out on two occasions to support groups here in New England. Tri-ess and one other I can not recall. I never heard a thgng back. Frustrating. It would be a HUGE step for me as I have never ever met or spoken in person with anyone who shares this crazy thing.