Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Having a home is very important to me. Extra appreciation came when I was fired from my job in 2011 based on discrimination. Health issues led to me having to sell everything I had, before repossession took it. My car, home and land. Things I worked worked hard for in unforgiving Idaho. I spent ten months homeless, living in an abandoned panel truck. My firing and outing went hand in hand, and while I was alone, I was hunted, and beaten.

I had only one option, and that was to go see my mother, and tell her I'm transgender. I did, and she accepted me, gave me a new home to live in, and helped me to pick up the pieces. I gained access to internet, and found a local support group, but it was poorly managed. I found a second support group, but it was worse. The second supports group actually discriminated against me for being in a crisis state, and denied the support I was almost begging for. I attempted suicide NOT because I was angry at being tossed aside, but because of the fear of being murdered just walking out my moms door. During the second violent assault, three drunk men stalked me, and tried to stab my throat.

After that incident, I tried to take my own life. I was hospitalized, and sent in for psychiatric help. During this time my transgender identity was ignored, and further damage occurred. Idaho. I took care of myself, I decided that I was not going to be forced away from the life I deserved. I turned my focus towards the things I could change for the better. I let go of my fears of things I didn't have control over. Step by step, I regained my dignity, and self worth.

That second LGBT support group that rejected me based on my state of crisis has disbanded. I was very bitter during the year they isolated me from my own community (the administrators of that local group).  Later, after I requested to attend the local TDOR they organize did I learn they disbanded, and it saddened me.

There is a new support structure for LGBT people living in north Idaho, being run by the same people. It is my hope that they learned from their mistakes. Even so, I cannot afford to include myself with them.

I was bitter. How does one try to ask for support after that? I just moved on, and decided instead of feeling universally discriminated, I realized I did nothing wrong. With the support of my mom, I found ways to work for what I needed. For a long time, I felt sorry for myself, feeling like a helpless victim. Realization came when my mom told me to stop putting my head down low -to hold it up, and fight for my right to be happy.

I don't want this account to be a negative reflection of past bad experiences. My voice was silenced for so long, I never had an outlet find support.

Susan's gave me the courage to speak out. What happened in the past is behind me, I made it through. Each day now is a step in the right direction, and I learned how to walk by myself. Susan's showed me that I don't have to walk alone, and the community I need is just a click away. Not to sound corny, but I have two homes now.

Where I live is difficult, but it's my home. Something no one should have to run away from. Any way I can, I'm going to try to make my small area better. The stories, accounts, resources, and people here are where I've found a new feeling of acceptance. Being here helps me remember important lessons learned from the past, and not to drag the negative with me. I see people helping people. I can feel past scars healing, honestly I do. Susan's Place  is all of us. These past weeks since joining here have made me feel included. I needed that.

Hugs Honey.

We are a community and a family. We argue at times and sometimes people get upset.

But we are family

Dana, I'm glad we can offer you some support and kinship. It sounds like you've been on a terrible journey to get to this point, but that perhaps a better road lies ahead. You certainly seem to have the strength and determination to make it. X

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Dana!

We are so glad you are here my dear sister! 👩‍❤️‍👩 ...The path here was dark...filled with danger and fear but you're home now...warm yourself by the fire!!!

Kudos to you for recognizing the strength that can be drawn from your experiences and using that strength to build the foundation of something beautiful...

Onward we go together brave sister

Ashley 😀❤️🌻

Dana, I'm so glad you found your way here. You've been through some terrible times, but never give up believing that things will get better. There's a lot of bumps (sometimes sinkholes!) along the way, but there's happiness just over the horizon. I'm still working on finding it myself, but I know I'm getting closer to it every day. I know I'd never even be this far down the road without my new family here.
:icon_hug:

People like you are why this website is almost 22 years old. Welcome home!

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Having been a child of color in Idaho, I know exactly what you mean about it being a very unforgiving place.  Admittedly, I grew up in Southeastern Idaho, which is nothing compared to the extent of Northern Idaho. And every day I'm grateful that I was born and bred and southeastern Idaho. (Idaho Falls)  I cannot imagine your struggle being transgender in Idaho, just knowing what I had to go through as a child of color in the foster care system.  So, personally, I am REALLY glad you found this place and that it gave you something to hold on to, be brave and come to when you need help, love, and support.

I am grateful that you have your mom too, because even one person in your personal life standing behind you makes a world of a difference, especially in a place like that.  Carry on, and we'll always be here for you.  (PS despite it all, Idaho's home too, even if I no longer live there, and spent years learning to love all that Idaho taught me to hate.  I won't go into detail hijacking your post since my battle wasn't being trans in Idaho, but everything else)
Much love from a fellow Idahoan, and I hope one day, you'll find more than your mom and here as safe spaces, and that you can genuinely make a difference in your community, and educate them. If I could, I'd be there right with you trying to show them that we're just as much human as they are.  Deserving of love and compassion.  But I'm cheering for you from the other side of a screen, so I hope it helps somehow.

I just stumbled into this post, and I have to say - I feel for you, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's great that you found here. Don't know if you've checked any of my threads? They are mainly in the Transsexual section! Feel free to participate!

I really, really feel it's awesome that you are here! I hope you are doing alright now?

I just recently signed in here as well - and my experience has been the same  ;D! I feel like a new man right now. I've started many threads just to get some peer support & it has been amazing!!!!! Just hearing other people's stories feels great. I just feel so validated being here, it's amazing really. I'm so glad you've had a similar experience also  :D!

All the best to you!!! You go girl!

Hugs Honey, very glad you are here. Sorry for the pain you have endured, but you are right, staying positive is so important.
Moni

Dana I am so sorry that you had to endure all of that. The city I live in is in the northeast and supposedly progressive, but there is still violence against people in the LGBT community. All the "good people" of the city tend to look the other way. Its a bit hypocritical and the city is kind of full of itself but it is still better than my other options at the moment.

At one point I was more involved with the LGBT life here, and I always felt it was really just "L" and "G". Bi-sexual and Trans people were kind of scorned or ignored. It hurt, and for that and other reasons I retreated into myself and hid and pretended to be a CIS gendered male and it cost me nearly a decade of my life.

I am proud of you for hanging in and working though it all. Susan's has provided much the same thing for me as it has you I think. That and lots of useful information about transition. Whenever I can I donate to pay back. (only twice since I joined but I intend to continue.)

I hope things look up for you even more in the coming year!

v

Quote from: Virginia 71 on December 17, 2017, 09:42:30 PM
Dana I am so sorry that you had to endure all of that. The city I live in is in the northeast and supposedly progressive, but there is still violence against people in the LGBT community. All the "good people" of the city tend to look the other way. Its a bit hypocritical and the city is kind of full of itself but it is still better than my other options at the moment.

At one point I was more involved with the LGBT life here, and I always felt it was really just "L" and "G". Bi-sexual and Trans people were kind of scorned or ignored. It hurt, and for that and other reasons I retreated into myself and hid and pretended to be a CIS gendered male and it cost me nearly a decade of my life.

I am proud of you for hanging in and working though it all. Susan's has provided much the same thing for me as it has you I think. That and lots of useful information about transition. Whenever I can I donate to pay back. (only twice since I joined but I intend to continue.)

I hope things look up for you even more in the coming year!

v

In the places i have lived and live now, i have never heard about violence against us women.  But the country i live in is very progressive, and has been since after ww2. So it depends on country and place in country? Heard for example California is very progressive.

Quote from: Dana1979 on November 28, 2017, 05:03:03 AM
Having a home is very important to me. Extra appreciation came when I was fired from my job in 2011 based on discrimination. Health issues led to me having to sell everything I had, before repossession took it. My car, home and land. Things I worked worked hard for in unforgiving Idaho. I spent ten months homeless, living in an abandoned panel truck. My firing and outing went hand in hand, and while I was alone, I was hunted, and beaten.

I had only one option, and that was to go see my mother, and tell her I'm transgender. I did, and she accepted me, gave me a new home to live in, and helped me to pick up the pieces. I gained access to internet, and found a local support group, but it was poorly managed. I found a second support group, but it was worse. The second supports group actually discriminated against me for being in a crisis state, and denied the support I was almost begging for. I attempted suicide NOT because I was angry at being tossed aside, but because of the fear of being murdered just walking out my moms door. During the second violent assault, three drunk men stalked me, and tried to stab my throat.

After that incident, I tried to take my own life. I was hospitalized, and sent in for psychiatric help. During this time my transgender identity was ignored, and further damage occurred. Idaho. I took care of myself, I decided that I was not going to be forced away from the life I deserved. I turned my focus towards the things I could change for the better. I let go of my fears of things I didn't have control over. Step by step, I regained my dignity, and self worth.

That second LGBT support group that rejected me based on my state of crisis has disbanded. I was very bitter during the year they isolated me from my own community (the administrators of that local group).  Later, after I requested to attend the local TDOR they organize did I learn they disbanded, and it saddened me.

There is a new support structure for LGBT people living in north Idaho, being run by the same people. It is my hope that they learned from their mistakes. Even so, I cannot afford to include myself with them.

I was bitter. How does one try to ask for support after that? I just moved on, and decided instead of feeling universally discriminated, I realized I did nothing wrong. With the support of my mom, I found ways to work for what I needed. For a long time, I felt sorry for myself, feeling like a helpless victim. Realization came when my mom told me to stop putting my head down low -to hold it up, and fight for my right to be happy.

I don't want this account to be a negative reflection of past bad experiences. My voice was silenced for so long, I never had an outlet find support.

Susan's gave me the courage to speak out. What happened in the past is behind me, I made it through. Each day now is a step in the right direction, and I learned how to walk by myself. Susan's showed me that I don't have to walk alone, and the community I need is just a click away. Not to sound corny, but I have two homes now.

Where I live is difficult, but it's my home. Something no one should have to run away from. Any way I can, I'm going to try to make my small area better. The stories, accounts, resources, and people here are where I've found a new feeling of acceptance. Being here helps me remember important lessons learned from the past, and not to drag the negative with me. I see people helping people. I can feel past scars healing, honestly I do. Susan's Place  is all of us. These past weeks since joining here have made me feel included. I needed that.

Nice, to see this site and place helps you.