Anyone Ever Thought Of Doing Some Kind Of Meet-up

[Guest MissAmy]

For the members here. Maybe find a private place where we could all could go in dressed like we want or change while behind closed doors, and just hang out or whatever?

[MaryEllen]

This is something that we do not encourage doing. While we would hope that all of our members are trustworthy and are who they say they are, there is always a chance that they are not. First time meetings should never be done in private. For the sake of safety, all first time meetings should be done in a public place. Meeting privately with someone you've met on the internet is a very dangerous thing to do. I would urge you not to.

MaryEllen

[Guest MissAmy]

This is something that we do not encourage doing. While we would hope that all of our members are trustworthy and are who they say they are, there is always a chance that they are not. First time meetings should never be done in private. For the sake of safety, all first time meetings should be done in a public place. Meeting privately with someone you've met on the internet is a very dangerous thing to do. I would urge you not to.

MaryEllen

Well I meant a big group, and I didn't mean like a hotel room or something like that. Just a big enough place that's considered public, but only people invited could get in.

[MaryEllen]

In that case, you should seek out a local transgender support group. They usually have events planned that are in public places.

MaryEllen

[Guest April63]

Some people here have met in person before, but not as an open invite to the users here. Sometimes a few friends have gotten together after they have gotten to know each other very well and are almost positive that each person is who he says he is. It's a good idea, but take it slow. There's a potential for danger, but there is also a potential for a lot of fun.

[Guest julia_d]

I have met people off the net.. if it feels ok and you arrange a public place it's usually ok.

Follow the usual rules with social first dates (of any sex) and make sure you are confident of the other persons intentions. My simple rule.. if it feels wrong it probably is.

I'm a big girl, I live alone and have to interact with the world and the public alone on a day by day basis.

To meet more than one person make sure it is an organised group and meet a few members of the group first.

[Sally]

April referred to among other things the meeting that Elizabeth K, Donna Jean and I had back in September - it was not a spur of the moment or quickly planned meeting, we had known each other here at Laura's for over six months and along the way had even talked on our phones (now connected at the hip by Skype) before we even discussed meeting and that was set for almost six months later.

But even with a year in the planning it was a risky venture for each of us trusting in the other two and I have to admit that while I was so excited about meeting them I had a nagging little voice telling me, "This isn't very bright, Sally."

We were meeting in a town that none of us knew and found out later not very tolerant of trans and a high crime area, luckily we were not read or mugged.

The potential for one of us being a predator was greatly reduced through our long association and I must confess that we all talked to MaryEllen and Laura about the plans so in a sense we had notified the 'authorities" in advance, in case something happened.

Meeting people from the Internet is very tricky, try to do it in a public place and do not let them know where you live!

Good common sense and an awareness of your surroundings are your best tools - be careful and be safe!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest julia_d]

I agree with that Sally.

Here in the NW UK we are a very small community. Usually we will know people in common and can judge and make a risk assessment based on who knows who. Then again my 3 years experience as a street girl has taught me things about reading people that most never learn, so maybe I'm a bit special.

Meeting strangers off the net is always a little dodgy. As Sally so rightly says, public place and make sure somebody knows that you are going out and when you expect to be back (a luxury I don't have) Log a flight plan and try to stick to it.. report in when you are supposed to.

I have a trick when others invite me to places. I usually decline the first time and wait to see their response. If that seems good then I invite them to meet somewhere on my terms and see what they say. Most internet people have a bit of a trail that you can follow and find out things about them. Again most people will give snippits of past life/real life if you engage them in a converstion.. and you can check those out too.

Maybe I'm just different and like taking a few risks.. I don't really have much of an option.

[Guest MissAmy]

In that case, you should seek out a local transgender support group. They usually have events planned that are in public places.

MaryEllen

I can't really find one that is really that local. I know there is one on the other side of the state about 3 to 4 hours away.

[Guest Amy LeBlanc]

Hello all:

I know how all you feel. meeting up is very risky and needs to be taken slow. But at the same time I have even thought about trying to meet people like myself or like the people hear but more like a invintation causaul big get together.

I kinda of like the shcen from the movie " I now prounce you chuck and larry" where they were invited to a costume party get together in a party hall of some sort. I have wanted to try to find something like that or a support friendly get together place group for people like us where we can get together and wear what ever and party, or music, or socilize or meet people or what ever. Almost like a gay\transgender\crossdress bar but I do not know of a place like that hear in Southern California.

If anyone has any ideas of a place like that out hear or where to look then that would help. But I do know need to watch out and yes something like this can be very dangous as well.

Talk to you all later

Amy