So I have set up to see an endo in November, and I thought that that is when I would get to meet them and ask questions. BUT! My local trans support group hosted her for a meet and greet,  and I got to ask all my questions then! I feel so incredibly lucky,  which got me wondering, does anyone else frequent a trans support group?

My college has a GSA type thing that I go to and they are starting up a trans/non-binary sub-group that I'm gonna go to.

i used to before i started t. it was weird for me because i was older (in my 20s) and everyone else was still in HS or questioning, etc. it was a LGBT+ support group so it wasn't only for trans people. mostly had LGB so i was out of place for TWO reasons. add onto the fact i wasn't questioning, i was already moving forward (on my way to getting T, etc.) so i was much further ahead in a lot of ways which sucked because everyone else was in the same place as each other except me.

this happened again when i went to another trans exclusive meetings. this was more for questioning people but someone recommended it for me. i met people more my age there, everyone was cool and i enjoyed it. i was still further along but being around other trans people my age made me feel better.

my psychiatrist i went to see before i started t, etc. suggested the support groups because they're helpful to have people around going through what you're going around. having friends and family who are supportive is great but having people around who get it is important i think. if you're thinking about continuing the support group, i think you should. especially if it is one of the better support groups.

Yay for good supportgroups! I now have an awesome one I go too, not just for transrelated support but for friendship, fun and other support.

The previous one I went too was not really right for me (I guess supportgroups are like therapists in that way), lot of young people that I simple didn't get along with and very little transguys that I could relate too. They also held some pretty binary views at times about genderexpression (You have too sit a certain way, transgirls should wear make*up blah blah). Very one-sided group actually.

This one is extremely varied, we have people all ages, all different stages in transition, holding different views, from different backgrounds... We are steadily growing a group of transguys (when I started we had maybe 5 out of eighty now we're at 12) also very varied people. Non-binary identities are welcome, your identity AND expression is respected, I'm pretty sure as a transguy you could come in in a dress and the people leading the group would make sure you get respected. I really think the 3 people (2 ladies and a guy) who are the soul and center of the group are the reason is such an open safe space to be. I love it. We get together every 2 weeks. Fridays are more social (but if you need a hug or a friendly talk or advice just ask, or look sad :p ) and saturday we have a workshop/book presentation followed by a debate. I've learned so much from this group, most of it actually just plain social skills, being able to trust and connect with people. It's makes my life better and easier and I've made an amazing group of friends there too.

Oops rant :p I guess it's clear how happy I am with it Well people come from all over my country and even from the netherlands to the group for a reason I suppose

Yeah, I love my support group. I look forward to it each week, and I'm even kind of making friends there. Humans of all varieties go there and it's great to find that I have at least one thing in common with each of them.

I just started going a couple weeks ago. But yeah, it's great. I go to Ingersoll in Seattle.

Never been to a support group but I reckon I should find one in the NYC area.

I can't find one in my area. Sucks cause I would like to make some actual friends since I have NONE! Aside from coworkers, but we don't hang out after work or anything like that.

Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking. I was surprised to find one near me given the general tone of the area.

I've been to one support group, but I was asked to leave. It kinda sucked, but everyone there was mtf and the group leader told me that I probably wouldn't find any help and that I triggered one of the younger girls. I ended up just coming to Susan's. I wasn't mad, I was just kinda put out since I was hoping to just meet people.   There was a ftm support group back home but they were hard to get a hold of. Where I am now it's hard to find any LGBT groups unless you have ins or know where to go. When I come back to the states I may start going to a gay support group or something similar.

I should also add that the group I went to, while advertised as all ages, was mostly younger folks and at 24 I was one of the older ones, so I'm sure that factored in.

It's really odd to me how everyone else experiences young groups. My group is entirely mtf, but the average age is 45. At 24 I am the youngest person there by a long shot.

This thread is really interesting to me. I am going to go to a support group tonight for the first time... unless I wuss out.  It sounds like there's a lot of different experiences out there.

Quote from: Marcellow on October 07, 2014, 07:26:38 PM
Never been to a support group but I reckon I should find one in the NYC area.

I would honestly travel the 2 hours to go to one of those in NYC. I am concerned about fitting in at one though.

Interesting that some of these support groups are all mtf. Maybe it's partly because guys are less likely to seek suport? Plus things like turning away ftm folk (that made me kinda mad/sad to read). My group is a good mix of genders and identities, including ftm and non-binary people. Half of the meetings are "breakout groups" based on identity (ftm, mtf, nb, friends&family) and purpose (2-3 other groups I know less about), so each subset of the community gets some more specific support, and a chance to make friends.

Most of the ledership is mtf/female identified, but they work hard to be inclusive & it's a good mix in the general membership, all feel pretty welcome. How is it going to a primarily mtf support group?

I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. It was at my uni which is a fairly conservative state and a small town. A lot young people and high school students were there. I think it's a great group and I'm friends with the group leader and a few of the other women there. She needed to put a few others first since they really needed the support. Groups like that are safe havens for a lot of people and they are important.

At the end of the day, I can still talk to the leader and she's a wonderful person. I was even invited to her wedding/adoption party she officially adopted her husbands two kids and they had the party to celebrate the family. I just couldn't go since I was in Japan by that time.

Unfortunately I can't frequent any. All the support groups I know are all in MPLS and I live in the smaller side of town. At least an hour and a half away. I don't have my license yet either so for now I'm screwed :/. If I had a license and a car, or gas money to use my granmas, I'd be in MPLS every time they have a meeting and group. I would love to be in one again. Gave me a sense of high hopes and not feeling as lonely.