I am curious since we seem to be from all over the world here, in your own little communities are there actaully ts/is, etc support groups tht you know of or participate in?
I honestly in my immediate area do not know of any unless someone on susan's knows of a group i cannot find in my rural area?  In the city Pittsburgh there is a big institution called persad

QuotePersad Center, Inc. is the nation's second oldest licensed counseling center. specifically created to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

anyway they are not running a walk up counsellling type center I had called years and years back and was on a waiting list if you can believe that then when after like 5 mos i got called it was not free, counselling was based on your income and a % of it....
Anyway off-topic
question number two if any of you guys-girls do have community support do you go?
Thanks
Ricki

Although I have no doubt that many get strength from them, I personally do not believe in going to support groups with transsexuals and ->-bleeped-<-s. Before transition I found private therapy sufficient. After transition my attitude is the following - "Either you are a woman, or you are not. Why would you hang out with a bunch of transsexuals if you are a woman?"

This is just my opinion.

Bri

I drive 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way to get to my group.  It's that important to me.  The president of the group is a fully transitioned transwoman.  A few of the other members have also transitioned 100%.  We also have a few FtM members.  All of them are a model and an inspiration for me.  They've been there before and know, as no other could, what to say to someone in all stages of their transition and are thus expert at helping.  They are all dedicated and giving individuals and I hope to be like one of them some day.

That said, not all groups are equal and some people just won't fit into the current mix.  There's no shame to trying and not liking it. 

I got the name of my support group from my therapist.  I almost joined a CD group before I found out about my current group and I'm very glad now that I didn't.  I would have felt very out of place there, I think.

There are lists on other websites, reachable through the links on the Main Page here at Susan's, that may point you in the right direction.  In my group, you don't even have to dress in your identified gender if you don't want to.  I would hope that's the case in other groups as well so don't feel that you can't or shouldn't go if you're not wearing a skirt, etc. 

Good luck and Hugs w/Smiles!
helen

I participate in our local support group - it is so nice to see people face to face and have dinner with them. It  is also my best chance to 'dress to pass', I very rarly dress to look as feminine as possible as I hate putting on my wig. In the GLBT day last weekend I also found a second local group that will be able to help me.


Alice

There is a very nice support group in the Kansas City area.  The group includes both crossdressers and transsexuals as well as some spouses.  I used to attend meetings and found much support in being with others who are TG, but for several reasons I have not attended in the last few years.  I miss the group and hope to be able to attend again.

I am sure there are a several support groups in my area.  When I started transition, I visited a support group for a couple of weeks and then I stopped going altogether.  I just didn't think I was getting the help I needed.  Everyone there was more focused on their mini-skirts, extremely high heels,  faux fur coats, and heavy, glittering makeup that they did not take the time to discuss TS or TG issues at all.  I felt completely out of place in a totally awkward atmosphere.

Eventually I found my gender therapist, and this was more than enough for me.


tinkerbell

Quote from: Tinkerbell on November 13, 2006, 09:16:58 PM
Everyone there was more focused on their mini-skirts, extremely high heels, faux fur coats, and heavy, glittering makeup that they did not take the time to discuss TS or TG issues at all.  I felt completely out of place in a totally awkward atmosphere.

True, you definately have to be aware of the focus of any group. Many groups aim to be all-inclusive, which is a wonderful refuge for those seeking a safe and accepting place to venture outside their homes while crossdressed. But someone seeking TS-specific advice is likely to be very dissappointed.

Most therapists will run their own support groups for clients, each group generally being focused on specific concerns. My own therapist runs seperate groups for CDs and TSs. And I must say it's been a godsend for me.

My wife actually came with me to last night's group meeting. It was... amazing. The group was smaller than usual, with only two other TSs (not counting the therapist) there, so it was very intimate and personal. Our normal two-hour session went for nearly four hours, and even then no one wanted it to end, it was THAT good. We laughed. We cried. In the end, it's just nice to hear you're not alone. That others have faced these problems and found some way to get through it. I feared my wife would end up being a quiet spectator, but she was probably the most active participant there, and everyone was *wonderful* with her. I think we accomplished more in one night... in terms of facing up to the hard questions we need to answer... than we have in all the preceding weeks.

Yes, there are a few around me and no, I do not attend.   I found the subjects that they brought up were boring and highlighted the fact that all they had done was trade one box for another.  Plus I could not identify with many because I did not face the same obstacles that they did (spouse, children, body hair, etc) and there was a bit of an age gap with some of the core members.

I still direct new ones to the therapist I saw and to the support groups because I find that both can be helpful.  However, you do eventually outgrow both.

I attend a support group and go once a month.  The only thing I usually do is talk to a few TS friends (some are post-op) I have made there, although I find that as time goes on.  I have been considering whether or not I want to renew my membership for this next year. 
The benefits of renewing it are:
a. Continued contact with friends.
b. A good information network
c. Communication with the local community (I have to stay in contact at least until July anyways).

The disadvantages of remaining are:
a. Additional money to spend during the next year
b. Delays my ability to go stealth, although I can't until July anyways.
c. Takes up a certain amount of my time

I am actually considering not renewing my membership, but participating in Saturday meetings and paying the non-member $5 fee instead of $2.  This gives me the opportunity to not go if I don't want to.  Since I have gone fulltime, I have changed my focus on my activities to those that usually are enjoyed by non-TG people.  So, that's my particular pros and cons about support groups.

Melissa

Thanks for the replys.. every little bit helps!
I'll not even know if i get to this stage but i would go as is if there was a group or reputable one in my area..
Thanks again
Ricki