I suppose I should let people know about our two groups! 

The Maryland Trans*Unity support group meets from 2-4 p.m. at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, Maryland on the first and third Sundays of every month.  We use rooms 30 & 31 on the bottom floor of the main building.  If you park in the lower lot, we are the first two rooms on the left.

The Maryland group offers a peer facilitated support group, a one-on-one mentor program, and organized social activities. 

The First Friday Transgender Support Group meets from 7-9 on the first Friday of every month at the D.C. Center for the LGBT community, 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington, D.C. 

The First Friday group is modeled on the Maryland Trans*Unity support group and is facilitated by volunteers from Maryland Trans*Unity.  It offers a peer facilitated support group.  Through its relationship to the D.C. Center, it offers a wide variety of other programs as well.

Both groups seek to provide a safe space for all trans* spectrum individuals to talk about whatever may be going on in their lives.  The discussions tend to focus on emotional issues, family issues, the workplace, and other topics that are common to everyone on the trans* spectrum.  They do not focus on the "how to" of transition due to the tendency of such discussions to exclude people (a discussion on makeup, for example, will give little reason to most FTM spectrum persons to attend), but such advice is available through the mentor program. 

The Maryland group tends to be best for diverse identities (it includes both mtf and ftm spectrum people, along with genderqueer folks, and even some non-transitioners).  The DC group tends to be best for racial/ethnic diversity. 

I hope this helps!  It's my turn in the Maryland facilitator chair on Sunday and I'm usually at both groups every time, so come say hi!

Hi there -

Do you know of groups in Northern VA? 

Thanks for your help!

Lots of people from Northern Virginia come to Trans*Unity, particularly the Maryland group.  In particular people who are younger, non-binary or anything other than MtF, or needing to talk about the serious emotional side of the trans* experience (e.g., suicidal ideation, depression, loneliness, etc. rather than hair, makeup, and clothing) tend to have their best luck with Trans*Unity and are frequently referred from the Northern Virginia groups. 

There are, however, several groups from Northern Virginia.  If you google phrases like "transgender support group northern virginia" you should come up with several.  The most comprehensive single listing I know of comes from the Whitman Walker clinic.  It covers Metro DC as a whole and can be accessed here:

http://www.whitman-walker.org/document.doc?id=279

Although that listing is the most comprehensive single listing, it is not always kept up to date.  For example, it lists T.H.E. even though T.H.E. no longer exists.  That is why I recommend trying a few simple Google searches.

Does the Maryland group still meet on Sundays at that time? I'm interested in going, but I can't seem to find any other info about it.

Yup, meetings are still on the first and third Sundays between 2-4 pm. Sorry that there wasn't a reply sooner. Hope to see you there.

Sorry to resurrect this, but figured it would be better to do that and already have all the info in the thread.

Are both of these groups still active? I'm still on the fence about attending, but it would be nice to know that the option is there.

Quote from: ftmax on October 27, 2014, 04:44:11 PM
Sorry to resurrect this, but figured it would be better to do that and already have all the info in the thread.

Are both of these groups still active? I'm still on the fence about attending, but it would be nice to know that the option is there.

I know the Maryland one does. Though I haven't been in a while. I am friends with someone who still does. I am sure I can put you in contact with someone who still attends.

I have kinda considered coming to one of these groups, but IDK....if I had someone to go with I probably would, feels a bit strange meeting new people by yourself, the thought makes me feel strangely vulnerable. I don't know that I need help and support with being trans, but I do get the feeling like, perhaps seeing and hearing from other transpeople locally would make it feel a bit normal to me.

Quote from: Hikari on October 28, 2014, 02:01:18 AM
I have kinda considered coming to one of these groups, but IDK....if I had someone to go with I probably would, feels a bit strange meeting new people by yourself, the thought makes me feel strangely vulnerable. I don't know that I need help and support with being trans, but I do get the feeling like, perhaps seeing and hearing from other transpeople locally would make it feel a bit normal to me.

If you want to go to the one in Bethesda let me know and I'll go again. I mean it's not like we know each other that well or anything but I at least know who you are at least. I agree about not needing support but it is nice to meet some new people every so often.

Quote from: Hayley on October 27, 2014, 11:12:02 PM
I know the Maryland one does. Though I haven't been in a while. I am friends with someone who still does. I am sure I can put you in contact with someone who still attends.

If you could put me in touch, I would appreciate it. I'm a little skeptical about support groups, but I'd like to know the option is there.

Quote from: ftmax on October 28, 2014, 10:22:57 AM
If you could put me in touch, I would appreciate it. I'm a little skeptical about support groups, but I'd like to know the option is there.

Hi,

I'm the head of Maryland Trans*Unity.  Our group still meets from 2-4 pm in rooms 30 & 31 of the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, Maryland.  You can feel free to reach me at marylandtransunity@gmail.com or by going to our website (soon to be revamped yet again!) at www.transunity.net.   

The D.C. group still meets, but we have discontinued our association with it.  Frankly, I do not recommend it. 

I don't blame you for being skeptical about support groups.  We are too.  That's why we try to be a little different from the rest.

Quote from: Hikari on October 28, 2014, 02:01:18 AM
I have kinda considered coming to one of these groups, but IDK....if I had someone to go with I probably would, feels a bit strange meeting new people by yourself, the thought makes me feel strangely vulnerable. I don't know that I need help and support with being trans, but I do get the feeling like, perhaps seeing and hearing from other transpeople locally would make it feel a bit normal to me.

A lot of people to for exactly that reason.  You would be very welcome if you decide to come.

You're also welcome to contact me at marylandtransunity@gmail.com or via the website at www.transunity.net if you'd like to.  Actually, anyone who wants to is welcome to.

I swear we don't bite.  But I have been known to moo.

Quote from: Hayley on October 28, 2014, 08:42:18 AM
If you want to go to the one in Bethesda let me know and I'll go again. I mean it's not like we know each other that well or anything but I at least know who you are at least. I agree about not needing support but it is nice to meet some new people every so often.

Omg that is awesome! I am gonna see with my work when I can get off and I will be in touch on facebook, it would really mean it to me not to have to go alone!