Susan's Place "Get Togethers" ..

[JeanetteLW]

Jeanette, I am heading to Portland this Friday and dare you to meet me at the Portland Q Center for the 7 PM trans women's group.  I have not been for months as my girlfriends and others started our own Q Center out here in Astoria.
You have my info girl.   

  How did you know I just looked at that meeting last night? I've heard of the Q Center but never been to it of any place like it. You being there may just be the incentive I need to go. Someone to hold my hand so to speak. Do they allow "guy mode" attendees?  omg  Just thinking about actually going is triggering my fight or flight center and since I've never wanted to fight.... I am going to try to remember it and go. My forgetter has always been good.
 
  Hugs,
    Jeanette

[Tessa James]

  How did you know I just looked at that meeting last night? I've heard of the Q Center but never been to it of any place like it. You being there may just be the incentive I need to go. Someone to hold my hand so to speak. Do they allow "guy mode" attendees?  omg  Just thinking about actually going is triggering my fight or flight center and since I've never wanted to fight.... I am going to try to remember it and go. My forgetter has always been good.
 
  Hugs,
    Jeanette

I am happy to meet you there, share a ride and/or literally hold hands as we walk in.  Parking is horrid but the people are great.  The group is quite diverse with some folks just questioning and in male mode, others a decade in.  Folks often go out after the meeting.  Some folks say very little and some, like me, are hard to shut up   Groups work best when facilitators help everyone feel included IMO.  We are welcome and safe there, we are on the Board of Directors there.  Consider yourself invited please.  I have been doing groups since forever and find it fun and often enlightening.  No pressure, when you're ready is the right time!

[JeanetteLW]

I am happy to meet you there, share a ride and/or literally hold hands as we walk in.  Parking is horrid but the people are great.  The group is quite diverse with some folks just questioning and in male mode, others a decade in.  Folks often go out after the meeting.  Some folks say very little and some, like me, are hard to shut up   Groups work best when facilitators help everyone feel included IMO.  We are welcome and safe there, we are on the Board of Directors there.  Consider yourself invited please.  I have been doing groups since forever and find it fun and often enlightening.  No pressure, when you're ready is the right time!

   Tessa.
      You are taking away all of my excuses, except for the parking one. My  pickup can be a pain finding parking and parking I consider safe. I'm not a fan of the area the Q is in. But I have survived worse.  The meeting itself sounds reminiscent of an AA meeting and I have been intimately familiar with them.
    I am leaning hard on being there to meet you, if for no other reason. I even entertained ideas of driving out to the coast just to do so. I do like driving and consider the coast just down the road and around the corner.

  Hugs,
Jeanette

[Asche]

I have to admit we get very few men attending the meet ups and my personal opinion is it just reflects the standard gender norm. Women tend to like sitting around talking to each other and guys don't.

I don't know about that.  Our local groups frequently have a majority of trans men.  It varies a lot, but there have been times when I was the only trans woman there.

My impression is that groups that are dominated by trans women tend to be places where trans men and non-binaries don't feel comfortable.  And, much as being the first or only African-American in an all-white space can be very uncomfortable, I suspect being the first trans man in an all trans feminine space can be pretty daunting, too.

There's also often an age difference.  In our area, the trans men and NBs tend to be younger (teens and twenties), while there are a lot of older trans women in groups.  This can be intimidating for the younger people.

I've noticed that the Phila. Trans-Health conference has a huge number of trans male sessions and events and attendees.  (There are also a lot of NBs, but fewer sessions )


I'd be interested in hearing from the guys here.

[JeanetteLW]

There's also often an age difference.  In our area, the trans men and NBs tend to be younger (teens and twenties), while there are a lot of older trans women in groups.  This can be intimidating for the younger people.

Age difference indeed... This can be intimidating for the younger people.   Just as the opposite can be true. In researching trans resources I found 2 or 3 sites that seemed to cater exclusively to the youthful side and only one that were multi functioned open to all with things organized for everyone.

   It looks like I'll be at that one Friday  The Q Center in Portland, Oregon

  Hugs,
    Jeanette