How do I 'unStealth' myself and meet other Trans-Girls?

[PlanetEmma]

Hi All
I transitioned nearly 17 years ago. After the 'rush' of transition, meeting girls and guys pre-surgery, in hospital and briefly afterwards, life then settled down into 'stealth-lite' (a don't ask, don't tell existence) and amazingly, in the last 15 years, I'm not sure I have met more than 1 other trans-girl. I went to regular bars with work colleagues, gay bars with male friends, never went onto trans dating sites (a good place for CIS guys and hooks ups, but not my thing).

It didn't help I avoided social media for fear of being 'outed' by my previous life. So I just wondered...how do we reconnect, and unStealth when we're quite a long-time post-op? I'd love to.
It's so much more fun to be Trans it seems these days! Much more acceptance - thank you to everyone - though still a way to go.
Wonder if anyone else knows how to reconnect with our wonderful tribe if you're pasthanging in bars, and dating sites seem pretty one-dimensional? x

[HappyMoni]

I have met 5 (soon to be 6) trans people by conversing with people here on Susan's. One of them actually traveled clear across the country when we met. Give it a try. We are a friendly bunch. Welcome to you Emma, my name is Moni, short for Monica. Glad to meet you.

[DawnOday]

Hello Emma. I have been transitioning on HRT for two years. I go weekly to support group meetings and have met some really nice people. My bar days are long over and this is the best way for me to assimilate. I found a website for the UK support groups. I hope you can find one in your area.  https://www.transunite.co.uk/

[krobinson103]

Hello,

I've been actively transitioning for almost a year now. I stay connected via Facebook groups and here but still keep a distance as I feel I don't want to jump into socializing in real life etc at this point.

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Emma, and welcome.

You could try looking up trans support groups in your area, maybe through some LGBT+ umbrella organization in your area.  At 17 years post -transition, you probably don't need much support yourself, but you are in a unique position to be able to give support to others.  And few things are quite as rewarding as helping others.

[Dani]

I am only 3 years post op and I still go to support groups mainly because I feel a need to give back to other ladies who are now where I was just a few years ago. After some support group meetings a few of us go out to dinner.

I have also met a few ladies here on Susan's Place, especially if they live near me in South Florida.

[Sonja]

@PlanetEmma

Hi Emma,

Right here on Susans is a great place to meet other trans people, its safe, and forgoes all the seedy nonsense of bars and dating sites. Quite a few people on Susans go on to meet up in real life, but there is also a wealth on information about other events for transgender people on the website also.

Take care,

Sonja.

[PlanetEmma]

I have met 5 (soon to be 6) trans people by conversing with people here on Susan's. One of them actually traveled clear across the country when we met. Give it a try. We are a friendly bunch. Welcome to you Emma, my name is Moni, short for Monica. Glad to meet you.

Hi Moni - That's really lovely to hear, I am smiling here! Thank you. I'll try to chat to some of you and hopefully make some connections. I'm actually new to the US from London....here for the next few years....I'm currently in TX with plans to move to NM later in the year and then possibly PTown next Summer/fall. It's going to be a lot of fun - and exciting to feel there's a way to reconnect. Thanks Moni!

[PlanetEmma]

Hello Emma. I have been transitioning on HRT for two years. I go weekly to support group meetings and have met some really nice people. My bar days are long over and this is the best way for me to assimilate. I found a website for the UK support groups. I hope you can find one in your area.  https://www.transunite.co.uk/

Hi Dawn - That's really kind of you. I'm originally from the UK, but have found myself in the US for the next few years, so it's going to be fun to experience trans-life in the US for a while too. Strangely enough...and get this...My neighbour on the next floor down is a trans-guy (what are the chances)...and somehow (mystic) we got chatting and he's become my first US pal! He was thrilled to have a trans-neighbour too! So nice to have someone who texts 'fancy a coffee.' Yes! Maybe the Karma is working...baby steps!

[PlanetEmma]

Hi, Emma, and welcome.

You could try looking up trans support groups in your area, maybe through some LGBT+ umbrella organization in your area.  At 17 years post -transition, you probably don't need much support yourself, but you are in a unique position to be able to give support to others.  And few things are quite as rewarding as helping others.

Thanks Kathy - Seems like you're all pointing me to the trans support groups so that seems like a good place to start! For sure I don't really need support myself, but if nothing else perhaps I can offer encouragement for the future with both the potential for relationships and careers. I've been fortunate to have more success in work as a female than before transition and some wonderful loving relationships with CIS girls since transition too - they actually liked my athletic figure (urgh!) sense of adventure/mischief....that perhaps a lot of us may have. Perhaps I can help some people overcome some fears. I hope so x

[PlanetEmma]

@PlanetEmma

Hi Emma,

Right here on Susans is a great place to meet other trans people, its safe, and forgoes all the seedy nonsense of bars and dating sites. Quite a few people on Susans go on to meet up in real life, but there is also a wealth on information about other events for transgender people on the website also.

Take care,

Sonja.

Sonja

You're a gem, thank you. I can see that this is going to more fun than I thought. My newly-discovered neighbour has just mentioned a local support group....where he recalls meeting some trans-girls.....but it was a while back. Right....here we go Mr Google!
It's crazy, I spent all of those years anxious about being 'outed' in the UK - and yet I'm sure all of my friends and colleagues knew - they were so lovely and supportive - and I bet just dying for me to feel relaxed enough to be open with them. Sometimes we build our own walls maybe...But no more!

[PlanetEmma]

I am only 3 years post op and I still go to support groups mainly because I feel a need to give back to other ladies who are now where I was just a few years ago. After some support group meetings a few of us go out to dinner.

I have also met a few ladies here on Susan's Place, especially if they live near me in South Florida.

Hi Dani - I'll try this for sure. I confess that I never contacted a support group after 'op.' I just moved to far, far, away land and left my old life completely. I truly started again from scratch - what amazing life stories we all have. It will be a really great start to see if there's some social activity tied to the support. Thanks again, Emma x

[PlanetEmma]

Hello,

I've been actively transitioning for almost a year now. I stay connected via Facebook groups and here but still keep a distance as I feel I don't want to jump into socializing in real life etc at this point.

Hi K - (Sorry I don't know your full name), it seems I'm going to have to bite the bullet and join you and the rest of the world and go with the Facebook thing at last. I love to socialise - I just didn't know how to find our girls and guys....but now I get the sense with a little bit of putting myself about, perhaps a bit of travel....the world will turn from black and white...and our community will be revealed!
I do hope you might feel able to socialize in the not to distant future - it's the most exciting and nerve-wracking and heart-thumping thing I think I've ever done - those first few times - and I'm sure we all share that. You have a fab photo and that's a great start to feel able to post your photo...even that can be daunting for some girls and guys.

[krobinson103]

Hi K - (Sorry I don't know your full name), it seems I'm going to have to bite the bullet and join you and the rest of the world and go with the Facebook thing at last. I love to socialise - I just didn't know how to find our girls and guys....but now I get the sense with a little bit of putting myself about, perhaps a bit of travel....the world will turn from black and white...and our community will be revealed!
I do hope you might feel able to socialize in the not to distant future - it's the most exciting and nerve-wracking and heart-thumping thing I think I've ever done - those first few times - and I'm sure we all share that. You have a fab photo and that's a great start to feel able to post your photo...even that can be daunting for some girls and guys.

I have no fear of it. I'm out to the world living full time etc. I just don't feel the need to meet a lot of people. Always been that way. Make a few close friends and thats enough for me. Heck I even front our local union chapter at work and I don't hide my past. I just don't feel the need to be active in the trans community at the moment. I have no fear of that either did so a lot in the gay community. Guess I'm in a reflective / settling phase right now. My name is Kelly.

[DawnOday]

That's so cool. To have someone to relate to is such a great feeling. My first visit to a support group ended with Evelyn walking up to me and giving me a big hug. It has started a friendship that I cherish so much. I hope everything just expands from there for you. Keep me appraised please. I love success stories.