New experience today

[Shennae]

Hi sisters,

Just wanted to tell you that today I had a new exciting experience. I went to a transgender support group meeting. About 10 of us there. I was a little nervous at first and only sat and listened but eventually I began to open up. There was a family there with a son who was transitioning to female and a daughter who was bi. Their folks were so supportive to them. When I opened up to everyone about my struggles with being transgender and my family. Everyone was so great and we talked about it. Even the mother was interested and really listened. We were talking about initials for name and I said that I wanted to keep the same initials I have now which is SAB (Steven Allen Bruer) so I chose the name Shennae Abigail Bruer. Still SAB. They all felt the name fit perfectly. It just felt so freeing and so awesome to open up and have no one judge me. I hope I can continue to attend more of these meetings in the future. They meet the third Saturday of every month.

This experience got me excited to begin transitioning sooner rather than later. I guess we'll just have to see. Maybe in a couple months or so or maybe even sooner!

Wanted to share this exciting experience with my sisters!

Hugs,
Shennae 

[Jessica]

Congratulations on the great meeting.  It certainly helps when discussing hidden thoughts with a non-judgmental group.  Good luck at future meetings!   

[Wendi]

That's really nice to hear. Lately I've been thinking about attending a support group also.

I figured it would be very beneficial to hear from others that have traveled the road we're heading down.

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[F_P_M]

I'm so pleased you found a great group! I'm with you on the initials, it makes things a bit easier right?

I'm leaning toward keeping mine too. JMO
lol.

I think it'll be way easier to change documents with only a slight change and mean that I can keep some stuff for a bit longer while I get around to changing it over.
It also means I don't have to change my email address
lol, it's such a silly reason.

No judgement is amazing and i'm glad you found a group that's left you buzzing.

[Faith]

@Shennae

A compatible support group is so important, I'm so glad for you that you've apparently found one right off.

Initials.  Not me, nope. I wanted nothing to do with my old ones. I mean ... John Ralph ... Blecccchhhh ... I totally refused to tell people my whole name. Now that  it's not my name can I say it? Yeah ... Nope ... Blecccchhhh  . So, no. No initials for me, I'll take my new ones, thank you very much 

[KathyLauren]

@Shennae, congratulations on getting up the courage to attend a support group.  I am glad it was a positive experience.

I share your feelings about keeping the same initials.  In my case, I went from Keith Lawrence to Kathy (Kathleen) Lauren.  It had a practical benefit when I ran out of cheques a few months before my planned coming-out date.  I ordered the new ones with just my initials.  They were good before and after coming out.  By the time they ran out, my legal name change was done, and I ordered the next batch as Kathy.