Comments on: My Transgender Support Group Meeting

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:39:07 +0000

Thanks, it was a bit difficult going, but it got much easier once I sat down.

By: The Femininity Coach

The Femininity Coach — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:38:53 +0000

Jess what a great step for you personally. It’s great to hear you felt welcomed and found a place where you were able to meet other crossdressers. I think the hardest step was actually going, so bravo to you. Can’t wait to hear more about the group.

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:19:47 +0000

Thanks, Brit. I can definitely understand not wanting to return to a support group after having an experience like that. Those meetings sound very strict and not very productive for someone who is looking to enjoy themselves and not harp on all the negativity. I know we’ve discussed this before , so thanks for sharing it here on this post .

By: Brit

Brit — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:18:15 +0000

Great to hear you got out there Jessica.
Personally I haven’t attended any meetings. A couple years ago we went to a Christmas party for Tri Ess that was in a hotel right by where I live. The party itself was alright, but we were the youngest people by at least 20 years. We talked to a few of the people who were very nice, but they said the actual meetings for couples tend to be the wives and husbands separating to talk about issues and it’s just the women bitching about their husbands dressing and the guys talking about dressing. They also are not supposed to dress for the meetings. Sarah is more accepting than their wives seem to be and I would prefer to be dressed if I want to talk about dressing with random people I don’t really know. So that was the end of that. It was still a good night out dressed though.

computer issues, don’t know if this will post more than once, sorry if it does.

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:10:26 +0000

Thanks, Lucy. I plan on sharing my future experiences within the confines of the group

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:19:43 +0000

I’m happy you had a good time, I have visited a group and it was a great introduction to going out and losing my nervousness.

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:52:42 +0000

I can understand the fear, Ana. I too experienced some anxiety as I’m usually very awkward in social situations. Like you, I’m very happy that I stuck with it because I feel that I have a lot to gain and a lot to give in this support group.

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:51:04 +0000

I’ve been to a couple of support groups. The first one I went to, I was scared out of my wits. I got to know people’s shoes better than their faces that first time, since I barely had the nerve to look up at anyone. Everyone there was really nice to me and I eventually managed to start talking a little. After a few meetings, most of the jitters I had at the meeting were pretty much gone. As frightening as it had been, I’m so glad I went. Meeting other people who were also transgendered just seemed to open up a whole new world for me.

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:19:31 +0000

I’m sorry to hear that there are no good groups in Denver, Jessica. Are the groups that you would join very far away?

By: Jessica Sideways

Jessica Sideways — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:18:53 +0000

Yeah, I used to go to TG support group meetings but there are no good ones here in Denver. The two groups that meet in the area, the one at the Gender Identity Centre in Wheat Ridge and the other called TransAction at It Takes A Village in Aurora involve going through bad parts of town. In fact, all of Aurora is a bad area and so is West Denver past Auraria Campus. At the Gender Identity Centre, they blast me because I refused and still refuse to follow the Standards of Care.

There are, however, two t-groups that I would not mind going to. The ones I am referring to are the ones with the GLBT Student Services office at Auraria campus and the other one is with the GLBT Community Centre on the third Thursday of every month.

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:16:19 +0000

Wow, I am so happy for you and what you’ve gained from your support group, Shandy. Thanks for being so sweet

By: shandy alexis

shandy alexis — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:09:47 +0000

Support groups have been a major part of my life this year. As recently as June 2008, I was almost to shy to go in public at all, dressed as I wish and presenting as my true gender. I had only driven, walked around malls, and went to counseling. Then with the encouragement of a few support group members online, especially Leslie, I decided to go to a support group meeting in Lexington two hours from my home. From there, I made contacts in a Louisville group and began to attend their meetings as well.

Since then I have been unstoppable. The social interaction has built my confidence, helped me overcome social anxiet, and a lifelong inferiority complex. I have made amazing friends,and their encouragement has helped me become nearly unstoppable this year. I have made faster progress with my transition than I would have ever dreamed.

I try to stay active in both groups but it can be hard to attend because of the distance.

Your group sounds great! I think support groups have a lot to offer anyone across the full spectrum of transgender people. Hope your group turns out to be a wonderful part of your life. I’m sure with your communication skills and web savvy ways, you can be a positive asset to your group.

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:34:37 +0000

Hey Zoë

Thanks, I too hope to gain some of these things from my new support group.

By: Zoë

Zoë — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:33:34 +0000

Hi Jessica!

Funny enough, I went to my first support group last Tuesday and had a similar experience as you. It was a large group as it was their first meeting, but it was nice to know there are others like us going through what we are going through.

I feel it will be nice to have support should I need it and to give any if I can. Congrats on stepping out! I enjoy your blog too – keep up the good work!

By: Jessica De Leon

Jessica De Leon — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:23:38 +0000

Thanks, Lynn. There are a couple more support groups specifically dedicated to crossdressers, though they are a couple hours away. Even so, I may visit one sometime soon to experience something different and meet some new people.

I suppose that in a support group you won’t be subjected to real world judgment but then again many of us need that until we can acquire the courage to step outside of those boundaries.