Hi, um.... I live in San Francisco and have been on hormones for about 8 and a half months now. My transition is going *relatively* well, so far, but I have absolutely no real life contact with other trans people (or even just friends in general, allies, people not trans but who can offer support for people like me) and I have no idea how to start. I suppose I should rephrase that... I DO know of a few places around the city, like Lyric for example, that have been suggested to me by my psychiatrist and a few other people. However, I don't know if I'm ready to go somewhere like that... I mean, what would I even do? Stand around like a dork until someone talks to me? I am very, very shy but I REALLY want to get out there and get my life back. I miss it.

So, I was wondering, maybe a good first step would be to find like a support group that I can talk to online and then possibly transition that online group into a real life meeting scenario, at a later time? When I'm feeling more comfortable, of course. I go to Dimensions Clinic, for LGBT youths, here in the city and I'm SURE they have some programs there... but nothing that really applies to my exact needs, such as those above. So, I thought I'd start here before I ask the kind people who work there.

If anyone knows of any kind of local online support group programs like this, please let me know. Thanks!

- C.

From what you describe, it sounds like the Dimensions Clinic might be a good place to start.

I'm a somewhat regular attendee of the Transgender Parents Support Group which meets at the SF LGBT Center on Market Street. I heard of this group through a previous therapist, then checked the web site of the center for details.

http://www.sfcenter.org/

It doesn't look like the SF Center has a program for trans youth per se, but again it might be a good place to look for resources.

I don't have direct experience with LYRIC. I'm about to start training with the National GLBT Helpline, and I know that they maintain a database of resources. Contacting them could be another way to find ways to connect. They have online chat and a youth-specific help line, too.

http://www.glnh.org/index2.html

Thank you.