Hi, I didn't see my area on the board so I thought I'd throw it out there.  I'd like to start going to a support group as soon as I can find one in my area.  So, anyone here from the Seattle/western Washington area? Or know of any support groups around here?

Im also from seattle washington and know of none out there but im a different case all together due to social anxiety but would like to find a good pro LGBT place to hang out

Hi, Chaos.  Good to see a fellow Seattleite around. 

I've got social anxiety too.  I'm pretty sure I qualify as agoraphobic, as I only leave the house to go grocery shopping. 

Not sure if when I find a group I will actually be able to muster the courage to go, lol.  But It'd be nice to know there's one out there anyway if I ever do.

And yes... Vincent!

Quote from: ~Kai on October 24, 2013, 11:09:18 PM
Hi, Chaos.  Good to see a fellow Seattleite around. 

I've got social anxiety too.  I'm pretty sure I qualify as agoraphobic, as I only leave the house to go grocery shopping. 

Not sure if when I find a group I will actually be able to muster the courage to go, lol.  But It'd be nice to know there's one out there anyway if I ever do.

And yes... Vincent!

I hear ya and same here lol i was told i was agoraphobic XD but eh lol it sucks the same. Yep Vincent  s

Quote from: Chaos on October 25, 2013, 12:19:16 AM
I hear ya and same here lol i was told i was agoraphobic XD but eh lol it sucks the same. Yep Vincent  s

It does suck, but I don't mind it too much to be honest.  I think I just got tired of people and got sick of having to put on an act every time I left the house.   Although, I do wish I could feel comfortable leaving the house when I wanted to.  But, it does give me plenty of time to work on my book.  So it's not so bad. 

Quote from: ~Kai on October 25, 2013, 01:47:14 AM
It does suck, but I don't mind it too much to be honest.  I think I just got tired of people and got sick of having to put on an act every time I left the house.   Although, I do wish I could feel comfortable leaving the house when I wanted to.  But, it does give me plenty of time to work on my book.  So it's not so bad. 

Yeah but thats good you see it that way.Some dont and sit,just getting old.I look forward to getting out and getting kind of anxious lol but good luck with the book

Quote from: Chaos on October 25, 2013, 03:55:10 AM
Yeah but thats good you see it that way.Some dont and sit,just getting old.I look forward to getting out and getting kind of anxious lol but good luck with the book

Yeah, I know.  I guess I'm lucky I've got a good hobby to bury myself in.  Don't get me wrong though, I do get really depressed at times.  But I try to make the most of a situation as much as I can.  I guess I'm a glass half-full-kinda guy.    And thanks.

http://www.washingtongenderalliance.com/meetings.html

There is an entry for the Shoreline group, and it was started by a friend of mine. I've been to the group in Everett, and they're good people. 

Quote from: Visitor_591 on October 25, 2013, 05:44:01 AM
http://www.washingtongenderalliance.com/meetings.html

There is an entry for the Shoreline group, and it was started by a friend of mine. I've been to the group in Everett, and they're good people. 

Awesome   Thanks for the link!

hello Fellow Puget Sound folk. I have been to a few meetings in Everett and plan to attend more regularly in the next few months. during this last year I often felt highly uncomfortable being in public or around strangers but I know this is just the growing pains of transition. I just want be read only as woman and knowing I don't pass or the fear of the 100 other things that I imagine people are thinking or saying about me was/is keeping me hostage. so I bring my ebook reader and my headphones and sit on the bus. sometimes it helps.

It's really nice to find others in the same-ish area.    I have not attended any of these groups yet, but I found this "Jewish LGBTQ" group that sounds pretty welcoming:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/78902770345/

Also, I was given this info. from a friend:

"In Seattle there is Ingersoll. They meet every Wednesday from 7 to 9. They have met continuously for 40 years. On 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, they have breakout groups - there is a spouses' group, as well as groups for Trans men, Trans women, and for gender queer people. But Ingersoll has been a victim of their own success. The 1st and 3rd wednesday meetings have been quite crowded, with 60 to 70 people. I prefer a smaller group in Tacoma, Gender Alliance of the South Sound (GASS), which meets on 2nd and 4th Fridays from 7 to 9. And we have started our very own group in Kitsap County - we meet on 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays from 7 to 9 in Silverdale. 5th Tuesday is a potluck and movie night."

Ingersoll's site is: http://www.ingersollcenter.org/content/services

I also found that the Gender Justice League, has meetings on their calendar:

http://www.genderjusticeleague.org/

Just found out about two meetings being held tonight in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. 

-One is a viewing of "TRANS: The Movie" by Konelu, the Jewish LGBTQ Group, starting at 7:00

https://www.facebook.com/groups/78902770345/


-The other is a Trans* Day of Remembrance event followed by a potluck, hosted at/by "Queer Youth Space"  (this is for all ages) from 5:00-8:00

https://www.facebook.com/events/350883518381342/?ref=22

It looks like Queer Youth Space hosts a lot of other meetings regularly, you can check them out here:

https://www.facebook.com/qysseattle


Also, Konelu is hosting "Light the Night: a GLBTQ Hanukkah Celebration" on Mon., Dec. 2nd at 7:00

https://www.facebook.com/events/386148778184419/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

My spouse is hoping to work up the bravery to go to one of these...maybe tonight! 


And, I know this isn't a support group thing, but I was really excited to just find out that a local Seattle trans* person, who is also a counselor, licensed social worker, & one of the founders of ICATH (Informed Consent for Access to Transgender Healthcare), has just published a children's book on gender diversity.  http://dangerdot.com/faq-the-polkadot-series/
(Talcott Broadhead and Cannelli are both counselors and trans* individuals in the Seattle area that practice the Informed Consent model, if you are looking for such a thing.)

http://www.talcottbroadhead.com/
http://www.canellicounseling.com/default.html

Thank you Felice,
I've found these groups as well, the meeting at Ingersoll are fun when I can make it that far south, The Everett Group of the Transgender alliance is a smaller group and recently I've attended a meeting or two there. tonight we will be gathering and holding a vigil for those among our ranks that are no longer with us.

I'm moving to Seattle in the summer. Is it as LGBT-friendly as everyone says it is?

Thank you Mercedes (sorry, don't know how to get the accent on the e), I'll pass this on to my spouse.  It is comforting to hear from others about their experiences going, when trying to work up courage. 
Is the vigil you are going to with the Everett group?

We are on the verge of having to make a HUGE decision about taking a job in Seattle, and we are trying to figure out if the transition is likely to go more smoothly at their current place of work, or the new job, move and all.  My spouse was seriously considering attending a gathering in Seattle tonight, and maybe hopefully meet some individuals that could give insight & support. 

We don't want to detract from the reflection that is the focus of people's gatherings tonight, but with such a big decision looming in the next day or two for us, and how scary it is for my spouse, just meeting some other trans* individuals in person (which she has yet to do) would be a big support.

Quote from: Ashey on November 20, 2013, 02:17:02 PM
I'm moving to Seattle in the summer. Is it as LGBT-friendly as everyone says it is?

It really is, one of the traits of northwestern people here in Puget sound is we are tolerant of others and have many overlapping social spheres. the result of living in a "pocket" community that is actually quite crowded. and being cooped up indoors for long stretches at a time. (the Rainy season October to May) when we get a sunny day and a chance to get out we generally are in a good mood, and if its crappy dark and drizzly, well we don't complain we endure and keep to our selves. the Mindset is kinda like "Nature is miserable enough, don't add to it by being an ass."

Quote from: Felice Aislin on November 20, 2013, 02:23:41 PM
Thank you Mercedes (sorry, don't know how to get the accent on the e), I'll pass this on to my spouse.  It is comforting to hear from others about their experiences going, when trying to work up courage. 
Is the vigil you are going to with the Everett group?

We are on the verge of having to make a HUGE decision about taking a job in Seattle, and we are trying to figure out if the transition is likely to go more smoothly at their current place of work, or the new job, move and all.  My spouse was seriously considering attending a gathering in Seattle tonight, and maybe hopefully meet some individuals that could give insight & support. 

We don't want to detract from the reflection that is the focus of people's gatherings tonight, but with such a big decision looming in the next day or two for us, and how scary it is for my spouse, just meeting some other trans* individuals in person (which she has yet to do) would be a big support.

Well a few gals from our Everett group went to a Name reading Ceremony in Seattle hosted by the NW Transgender Alliance, and the Emerald City Social club. It was well attended and very moving. I believe we had as many allies and spouses as Trans-folk. the TGDOR tradition there is the reading of the names of Transgender people who have been murdered in the last year, many names were accompanied by pictures of the fallen. it took some time to read through all those names and had a profound affect on some (my self included as I've never been to such a ceremony) afterward we socialized for a bit and I met a lot of fun positive people and learned a lot about the community.
the only real bummer to my night was regretting not have becoming more active sooner in this community as I will be leaving and Moving to Reno Next month.
gonna have a hard time leaving. we've got it pretty nice up here.