Thinking of starting a TG peer support group, thoughts?

[KymmieL]

Being there is not any transgender support groups here in Laramie. Nor in Cheyenne. I don't think there is even one in FT Collins. I have thought about starting one. A peer support group. Just transgender people talking about, Well Everything. getting support from others. Thoughts, comments, good idea, bad ideas, I'm off my rocker (this I know, LOL)

 

I wouldn't necessarily need a counselor to attend, being a peer group. Making sure those attending know this.

 

Kymmie

[DeeDee]

Hi Kymmie, there is a big difference between meeting up with folks and friends for a natter or actually trying to be a structured support group - even with the best intentions you never know who will come through the doors so while I would encourage you to keep looking into it if it is something you are keen to start, you do not want to put yourself or others at risk. ?

[VickySGV]

It sounds like a fine idea to me.  What I would do is go to a local LGBT or Community Health Center and get their help in creating one, also the United Church of Christ, Episcopal, and Metropolitan Community Churches would be good sources of sponsorship since they are Affirming denominations.  Having an organization sponsor you and give you a meeting place does help keep out "problem cases" who could cause problems if peoples homes were used for the meetings from invading the space or other problems.  Your state is pretty sparse on LGBT Centers as I found on a site where my Center is listed and all I found was a forming center in Casper. https://www.lgbtcenters.org/LGBTCenters.  Boulder CO and Denver itself have several centers, and I met a group of Trans singers from Boulder three years ago at a national festival of LGBT choral groups.  A little further than I travel, but they may have folks who could help you.

 

While you do not have to have a professional to lead such a group, you will do better if several members have learned how to lead and moderate this type of group so it can grow and thrive. 

 

 

[Beverly]

Hi Kymmie,

When I first came out, I attended a sparsely attended trans support group in my city. It had a closed group Facebook page, and I was excited to learn about it. It wasn't moderated well, and it was boring sitting there listening to them talk about cars, office politics, receding hairlines and where they got their size 14 women's shoes made. I'm a social person, and I always tried to steer the conversation to something related to the journey we were all on, and it was just not happening. I stopped going and saw later that the group fizzled out and disbanded. Perhaps your group model can be more along the lines of what Vicky suggests, and you'll have a better go of it. Best wishes!

Beverly