Meeting

[Guest Jennifer T]

I met the leader of a local tg support group yesterday. It was really nice to speak face to face with someone who has been where I am and understands. I was embarrassed that I present as a male. But she was gracious and understanding.

To her and to you all here who have shared your journey and struggles, you have my deepest respect and admiration. You have courage that I lack. You have poise and dignity.

Peace

[Guest Donna Jean]

I met the leader of a local tg support group yesterday. It was really nice to speak face to face with someone who has been where I am and understands. I was embarrassed that I present as a male. But she was gracious and understanding.

To her and to you all here who have shared your journey and struggles, you have my deepest respect and admiration. You have courage that I lack. You have poise and dignity.

Peace

First off....

Thank you Jennifer, for your beautiful feelings for those of us that are further along (but, with a long way to go...)..

Don't worry, Honey...you'll be here soon enough....

We're all in different stages and no one that has transversed further should be exclusive to those of us that aren't as far yet...

We'll all make it, sooner or later....

You, too....

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Jennifer - left a comment on your profile! YEAAAAAA

We want you to feel you belong here. I LOVED your comments about us at Laura's! We know you can be a part - and find yourself. The impossible only takes a little bit longer... and you have a great start.

My first meeting with the local GLBT - Transgender Support Group? I was in male mode and, like you, I felt I had not given those people the respect they deserved. I never went to a meeting again, without expressing my true self!

So you are on your way, and as that sweetheart Donna Jean said it, "We'll all make it, sooner or later."

Elizabeth K

[Sally]

Jennifer,

Thank you for your kind words but in my case at least I have to question the use of the word courage.

I am far from courageous, brave or strong I am making my way along this path because there is no other way for me, if there was an easier way - I would be taking it - this is not easy.

You will find the strength and the courage because there is no other choice for us, we have to be who we are at any and all costs.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest BeckyTG]

Dear Sweet Jennifer,

So, do the bite marks show? Will the open wounds require stitches? Will this leave visible scars.....?

I am, of course, referring to the fact that too many of us are scared to reach out to local support groups, afraid to attend meetings and fear getting bitten or attacked and bleed all over. Yet, that rarely happens.

You and I have much in common. I'm over 60 years old and just came out to my wife last Fall, started therapy after that and am only a few months into HRT. I'll be attending my second local support group meeting in a few more days. I can hardly wait, it's one of the best things I've done.

Each of us needs to help those that come behind us and get help from those ahead of us. We are surprisingly alike and we need help.

Welcome to our group. We're happy you're here. Please do fill out your page and settle in.

Hugs,

Becky

[Paula ult]

Jennifer hon,

Go to those meetings and in a year or so you will be that transwoman welcoming someone starting out, lots come to our trans meeting as they are, i went to my first meeting December 2008, it was my first time out as Paula, other than to my therapist, i forgot that on the drive i would have to stop at traffic lights, the sheer terror hoping the light would change soon so nobody would notice, but nobody did, i made it a point to force myself to go to the grocery store once a week as Paula, each time out gave me the confidence to push those limits further, dressing to blend in with other people your age helps, being confident and acting like you belong and with a smile on your face also helps.

Courage, i got that allot from people i told, i do not consider it such, i had to transition regardless if i lost family, friends or job, i consider myself luckier than most, i was able to keep the majority of my family and friends and my job.

People can say my transition was easy, but i still had to do the same things everyone else does, like coming out to those friends, family and job, the wondering if my family would disown me, friends abandon me or if i would be fired weighed heavily on my mind for many months.

Paula

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I was embarrassed that I present as a male. But she was gracious and understanding.

Don't be! We all had to start at square one in our birth gender and go up from there.

[Guest Evan_J]

No one starts out a finished product. If that were the case would they really need that support group?

[Guest Jennifer T]

From where I sit, the courage you all display is highly evident.

Thank you for the words of welcome.