Being trans is rough, so finding like minded people to support and build you up is one of the most rewarding things. Being able to pay it forward and help other trans people is also an awesome goal to have.
When I become financially stable, I'd really like to donate to my local planned parenthood so they can cover most or all of the first appointment for a transgender person looking for treatment for the first time. Or to help someone personally be able to afford some hormones. I'll probably just donate or sell cheap any of my old gear like swim binder to someone who could use it.
Anyone else have that drive? Maybe help out at your local LGBT community, volunteer, becoming a therapist. Donating?
I'm just curious to see if anyone who is transitioning or post transition has those goals, I know some of you do and it's really nice
My drive is to make the path easier for those following. I have a great mentor and I want to do the same. I'm also on an education drive for cis people.
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Today is the start of my Psychology classes. I plan on specializing in Gender studies, which will hopefully allow me to help new Transgender people.
Yep; I'd really like to volunteer at an LGBT charity or group once my life is more settled. My experience of being a closeted trans peeson was awful and I hope to make sure other trans people don't go through that same experience.
I'm a volunteer in the local trans organization for 5 years now. Nowadays I spend a little more time building my own career but they know that they can still count on me if they need urgent help. They are doing some heroic work to help trans people and its a great feeling when I can contribute to that in a meaningful way. Seeing all those people who have better lives as a result is a reward in itself.
I´ve worked in my own community to shorten waiting lists and spread necessary information to those who self-medicate. But there are tons of trans activists out there. Contributing can always be done :)
There is no local community where I am. I'd prefer to help by educating those I meet and talk to about trans issues on a personal level. At first I didn't think this was much effort but it has become a hot topic increasingly and the need to try to maintain a balanced view for people seems important at this time, so I do it. I end up feeling like an example of "my kind" to them so always have to seem as rational and upstanding as possible; in the hopes they see this and get it into their heads that transsexuals are not this "crazy", "deluded" or deliberately deceptive bunch of individuals out to corrupt society. It helps I have a background that offsets this assumption and can explain it in biology terms if that has to be done.
Didn't think it would be "work" but actually... it does become a sort of responsibility that goes beyond my own life and well being and impacts on how these people are going to view other trans. So I do feel I have to take the subject seriously, but also I think it has to be handled delicately too. I'm not out to tell people what they should and shouldn't think, but just to give them the notion that I'm human as well and not some kind of threat.
I find myself having to do it all the time in online circles as well, as the forceful activism from some has got a lot of people worried about their kids' education, their rights to free speech, etc. in relation to the trans issue.
My husband and I are currently talking about this same thing. It started when I was looking for support groups for my transition nearby and couldn't find anything locally.
We live where we're just outside a large metropolitan area where there are a lot of resources, but for those of us living just outside that area - they're fairly inconvenient for those with transportation means, and more or less completely out of reach of anyone without. It's kind of a deadzone for community groups despite being a rapidly growing area itself, where people just tend to look towards the metro area rather than locally.
We've started doing some heavy research for any existing groups we've just not managed to turn up yet and are looking at setting up a community group, with hopes of growing to a point that we might be able to get some grant help in setting up an actual physical center. My husband handles a lot of work-place subjects and currently works with his company (a fairly large one) on addressing LGBTQ+ issues within the company and reaching out to the community, and is interested in offering his experiences and knowledge to people on that aspect of life as well as learning from the community what he can take back into his corporate life to help build a better workplace. I am very interested in working with youth, families, and those with disabilities - areas that are more my wheel house - on information, community, and accessibility.
It is a daunting task, but I'm hopeful that we can create something with the local community. It's actually the main reason I stopped lurking around this forum and actually signed up. :P To try and network with individuals who have done or might be doing the same sort of thing to share ideas.
Quote from: EldritchJoe on July 07, 2017, 01:14:04 PM
My husband and I are currently talking about this same thing. It started when I was looking for support groups for my transition nearby and couldn't find anything locally.
We live where we're just outside a large metropolitan area where there are a lot of resources, but for those of us living just outside that area - they're fairly inconvenient for those with transportation means, and more or less completely out of reach of anyone without. It's kind of a deadzone for community groups despite being a rapidly growing area itself, where people just tend to look towards the metro area rather than locally.
We've started doing some heavy research for any existing groups we've just not managed to turn up yet and are looking at setting up a community group, with hopes of growing to a point that we might be able to get some grant help in setting up an actual physical center. My husband handles a lot of work-place subjects and currently works with his company (a fairly large one) on addressing LGBTQ+ issues within the company and reaching out to the community, and is interested in offering his experiences and knowledge to people on that aspect of life as well as learning from the community what he can take back into his corporate life to help build a better workplace. I am very interested in working with youth, families, and those with disabilities - areas that are more my wheel house - on information, community, and accessibility.
It is a daunting task, but I'm hopeful that we can create something with the local community. It's actually the main reason I stopped lurking around this forum and actually signed up. :P To try and network with individuals who have done or might be doing the same sort of thing to share ideas.
Hi and welcome to the site. Sorry this is so late getting to you.
On behalf of those near you, thanks to you and your husband for your volunteer work. It is very generous and helpful.
I also want to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:
Things that you should read
Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html) | Standard Terms & Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html) | Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.) |
Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html) | News posting & quoting guidelines (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html) | Photo, avatars, & signature images policy (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866) |
Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.
With warmth,
Jacqui
Hi WolfNight!!!
Great topic!... I consider being here on the forum to support others as a meaningful way to give back but I also found a way to pay things forward through public speaking... It is a two way street that I think goes a long way to help create understanding of what we are all about and benefits me as well...I recognize that my transition was made easier by those who went before me and I want things to be even easier for those who follow!!!
Early in my transition, I began doing public speaking for Rainbow Speakers of Monterey County... I heard about it through my Trans support group and looked at it as crash course on getting comfortable with large groups of strangers... I found it quite liberating and empowering to walk into a room full of strangers and speak my peace!!!... To talk at length about what had always been my deepest secret in life and be well received was an irreplaceable experience... My first speaking engagement was to a room full of Air Force officers and sergeants at the local Defense Language Institute and I was immediately hooked.
I continue to this day, years later... at the local University, Junior College, High Schools, Churches and a variety of other venues and I always get something out of the experience... Just letting people know what is going on with us can have far reaching affects towards creating understanding ... Anyway... I never thought of myself as someone who would be comfortable in a public speaking role but once our true self is the one we show to the world... We can do anything!!! :)
Local LGBT groups can probably provide opportunities like this.. If you just wanted to dip your toe in before you jump in the deep end you could likely accompany and observe other speakers to see what it is all about!!
Onward we go!!!
Ashley :)
Well, I would like to do more.
I both donate and do staff work here.
I am donating books on trans issues for teens to my local high school's Gay, Straight Alliance. My endo teaches other doctors. She has brought patients in in the past to answer questions from the point of view of someone in the community. I have volunteered to help there.
I guess I hope I can be taken up as someone to speak about personal experience in the future to help educate and personalize.
Warmly,
Jacqui
giving back to the community is a great idea. I know I try to now that my life is going so well. And after all these years I find myself still coming back to susans from time to time and reaching out to those who need help or just have questions.
I am currently active with a local trans support group, setting up dates for meetings and the like. I've also donated my old clothes and shoes to the local center.
I also recently have taken a new friend under my wing and am helping him learn about trans-related thiggs such as packers, surgery options and the like whenever he asks questions. It was nice to be able to pass on multiple website links to him as well as to let him know he's not alone.
Eventually I'd like to do more for my local community to educate them about trans people and that we're (mostly) just regular people. [emoji6]
Ryuichi
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