And this is why I love Susan's...

[Biscuit_Stix]

I live in the South (American), in a dusty little place where being LGBT is not a real... ehrm, safe, thing to be, I'll put it like that. So when I found a support group online, in my area, that meets once a week for MTF and FTM, I was thrilled. I thought, 'How cool, this could actually be a great resource for me, to find doctors and a counselor. I mean, I'll never attend a meeting, I hate social events, but I'm sure they'll help me find a doc.' So I called to set up a get together. And this is what I get: "Oh, well, um... ehrm, well... you see.... we don't really take... boys. Well, boys like you. We're pretty MTF exclusive, you know. I know the site says we take both, but... well...." and lots of throat clearing ensued. And then she referred me to a pastor... Who was actually really helpful, but nonetheless, WTF do you mean boys like me?! WTH! I'm hard to fluster, okay, I'm pretty stoic, but I kinda wanted to smack her upside the head... It was like she had no idea how to talk to me, like she didn't know what to do... I really don't know why, and I won't judge, I'm sure she has her reasons, but wow. Ouch. Boys like me, eh? Huh.

So, this is why I love this site. I can get on here, ask for help, and I know within minutes someone will respond with pertinent info. Someone, somewhere, will be that awesome guy or girl who can be useful. We help each other, we don't get exclusive. The ladies can comment on the guys, and vice versa, we can all work together. It really doesn't matter if you're andro, ftm, mtf, blue, green or purple. It's fantastic. It makes me happy. So thank you to every person here. You all rock.

[jesse]

hugs im sorry this happened
jessi

[Cindy]

Sounds like a rather strange group that wouldn't be much fun anyway. If they cannot accept TG people of all 'shades' they must struggle to accept themselves.

But you are very welcome here as you know.

I think it is a really great thing to have both brothers and sisters and those who are between and those who aren't either. It makes life so much more interesting and fun to hear lots of different opinions from lots of sides.

Hugs Bro

Cindy

[sneakersjay]

They're probably one of those groups that is trying to convince the ladies that they really need to detransition to be pleasing to God or some such nonsense and probably never heard of FTMs.


Jay

[aleon515]

Yikes craziness. I agree with Cindy on this. We have a whole bunch of groups but the main group is mtf, ftm, genderqueer, and SO and friends and family. The ages range right now from 18 to 70, I think. It's amazing how much we can have in common. We do have specific groups. I go to that group and a ftm group. But to not have a main group. Crazy. We get enough discrimination in real life.

--Jay J

[Ayden]

I know! I sometimes have things I disagree with, but it is almost like arguments in family situations. I actually love hearing what the ladies have to say about the things us guys go through, and I like to think that my experiences can help the ladies.

[aleon515]

I know! I sometimes have things I disagree with, but it is almost like arguments in family situations. I actually love hearing what the ladies have to say about the things us guys go through, and I like to think that my experiences can help the ladies.

I love the guys group best, but I enjoy the mixed group too. It would be absurd that there would be only one group and only be for mtfs. I am guessing the group biscuit mentions has been going on for a LONG time, as I think it was once assumed that there was no such a thing as ftm-- or maybe if it did exist it was very rare.


--Jay J

[Ayden]

I love the guys group best, but I enjoy the mixed group too. It would be absurd that there would be only one group and only be for mtfs. I am guessing the group biscuit mentions has been going on for a LONG time, as I think it was once assumed that there was no such a thing as ftm-- or maybe if it did exist it was very rare.


--Jay J

Yeah, I was refering to Susans. I tried a local LGBT group, and they assumed that only MTFs existed and I was basically bullied out by the one trans woman and the lesbians from the one group I tried to go to. That's why I think of Susans as an actual safe place to interact.

[Cindy]

Sometimes people forget that human society exists and evolves on differences in how we all are. Ok people who are marginalized seem to be more accepting (sometimes) than the main stream groups. But society would be less for the absence of minorities. This is one reason I have such incredible problems in accepting sexism, religion-ism, racism etc-isms. If we can accept that people are different and want to contribute to the whole then we are all better off.

I will be very presumptuous; with out Gay people the Arts would not have developed as well as they have, many Gay people see life and society from a perspective that 'main stream'cannot. This enhances all of us. Religious groups, if they are tolerant provide love and thought to how society deals with its mystic elements. Ethnic groups provide so much diversity in every aspect of life from culture, food, etc.

Where would we be in a mono-input culture?  Bored out of our brains I suspect.

I'm not in any way trivialising input from any group BTW just pointing out that different groups have different outlooks that enhance all of our lives, the same as self centred ignorant groups debilitate our lives.

Tolerance, understanding, or at least acceptance, are the keys to life.

IMO

Cindy

[justmeinoz]

As far as I am concerned there are 7 billion people in the world, so there are 7 billion genders and sexualities.  Diversity is what makes life interesting, so I prefer to associate  with people who accept it too.  It sounds like not being in the group mentioned is a really good idea.

Karen.

[FTMDiaries]

I had a similar experience when I attended my first ever Pride event this year. There was a stand for a local trans group at the event, so I thought "Great, I can get some advice!" and I went to have a chat with the woman running it.

She said that they don't do anything for FtMs and she seemed keen to get rid of me as quickly as possible. But she did give me a list of resources to try... most of which were MtF-exclusive and many of which were religious in nature. All of the local groups and resources were for MtFs only. And this was in one of the largest cities in the UK.

I've learned more at Susan's than from my local trans groups.

[wrabbit]

Yeah, I was refering to Susans. I tried a local LGBT group, and they assumed that only MTFs existed and I was basically bullied out by the one trans woman and the lesbians from the one group I tried to go to. That's why I think of Susans as an actual safe place to interact.

oh man, that sucks. But I suppose, MTFs do get more flak because of how they're portrayed in the media, right?
I've noticed that the trans community can be so harsh on each other, which makes no goddamn sense at all.
Well anyways, this is going to have to do...
Maybe you can start your own damn club?

[Ayden]

oh man, that sucks. But I suppose, MTFs do get more flak because of how they're portrayed in the media, right?
I've noticed that the trans community can be so harsh on each other, which makes no goddamn sense at all.
Well anyways, this is going to have to do...
Maybe you can start your own damn club?

I think it is very odd that even within the trans community we can be so harsh to each other - but then again we really are just like everyone else. We just have similiar struggles in some regards. I am currently in Asia, but I have thought about starting a group or trying to organize something with the local LGBT where ever I end up, but it will be in a few years when I actually get back state side.