Zoom get together!

[AllieJ]

For the past few years I have been running weekly zooms for trans people and allies and a few of the members here have been regular attendees. One of our members, KayC has asked if sometimes we could run a midweek meeting as it would be easier for them to attend, and I thought I should ask if anyone else here would be interested. The meetings are held using Zoom, which is an easy platform to use, and I am planning to run one next week from 7pm US Central time for 2 or 3 hours. (This would be Wednesday 11am in Japan, 10am Australian east coast). The format is no structure and just a general conversation about thing we are interested in. The initial meeting would be a 'get to know each other' session, but you only have to contribute what you are comfortable with. These meeting have been very beneficial for people who are unsure and don't have access to trans communities. You will find we are just normal people and no matter what stage you are at, you will be accepted as your preferred identity. 

 

This is a 'test' session, and its success depends on all people committing to respect everybody else attending. Initially, we will avoid discussion on politics or religion, as these can start arguments, and anybody disrespecting others will be ejected immediately. Ideal numbers for these meeting is 6 to 10 people, so we will limit this initial meeting to 12. There will be members from another group invited, so maybe only 8 or so people from TP can join, so first to put their names in will get the place! If there is a lot of interest, we may look at ways to include more people (either more meetings or by splitting the meetings into smaller rooms) but this is always dependent on available hosts. I would ask those that attend our Saturday meeting not put their names down for this as I would like to fit as many new people in as I can. 

 

How it will work its that I will pm attendees the link for the meeting, and I will open the zoom at the nominated time. I will only admit those invited so we have control, so please don't share the link. You can drop in or out at any time, but we will ask if you can give a short description of yourself when you join. There is NO dress requirements other than common decency, and people sometimes attend in their PJ's! You don't have to present in any way, and you will be addressed and treated as you let us know is your preference, and you can change the name and pronouns  on your screen (caution, you may want to change them back before you have another zoom with people who don't know you!)

 

So, please indicate your interest here to attend next week.

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[Carolyn Marie]

Just a reminder that site rules prohibit minors from providing contact information to anyone on this site, and adult members may not solicit minors to provide such information, even via PM. Community Rules 18, 19 & 20.

 

20.  Members may not solicit contact or identifying information from minors. Anyone who asks a minor to share information they are not allowed to share on this site will be immediately and permanently banned.

I'm not trying to put the kibosh on plans for this meetup; just a heads up to be careful and mindful. Thank you, 

 

Carolyn Marie

[AllieJ]

38 minutes ago, Carolyn Marie said:

Just a reminder that site rules prohibit minors from providing contact information to anyone on this site, and adult members may not solicit minors to provide such information, even via PM. Community Rules 18, 19 & 20.

 

20.  Members may not solicit contact or identifying information from minors. Anyone who asks a minor to share information they are not allowed to share on this site will be immediately and permanently banned.

I'm not trying to put the kibosh on plans for this meetup; just a heads up to be careful and mindful. Thank you, 

 

Carolyn Marie

Thanks Carolyn, and yes, anyone attending needs to respect others privacy. Forum names are preferred, and information about participants are usually general location (state or province etc) and things they wish to share about their journeys. I have conducted over 200 of these zooms and we have been able to maintain privacy. We also ask that no screen shots are taken, or recordings made during the meetings. 

 

A number of personal friendships have resulted from these meetings, but that would be outside the scope, so no personal information should be shared in the meeting. I would welcome a moderator from here to attend to check it out (a moderator already attends our Saturday meetings). As this is a test, how about we limit it to over 18's for this time? 

 

Provided we know a person is a member of this forum, there is no requirement for them to be on camera during the meeting, that is entirely up to them. We have, on occasions, and with the permission of all attendees, had people attend with both their camera and mic off, and just communicating via the chat function until they were confident enough to appear before the others. This has been greatly helpful to some who did not have the confidence to share themselves with others, either because of their appearance and voice, or both. 

 

I will also stress that these are not intended to be support sessions, and participants are urged to seek professional help for support, but these are social gatherings with like minded people to give people who are socially isolated an outlet, and to help develop confidence and social skills. The only information pm'd would be the links, and this is so only attendees have the link to that meeting. 

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[KymmieL]

I would love to join. count me in.

 

Kymmie

[AllieJ]

56 minutes ago, KymmieL said:

I would love to join. count me in.

 

Kymmie

You make 2 people (someone pm'd me) I will pm you in a couple of days with the link!

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[Carolyn Marie]

9 hours ago, AllieJ said:

As this is a test, how about we limit it to over 18's for this time?

 

Yes, that would be in keeping with our site rules.  Thank you.

 

Carolyn Marie

[Ivy]

I'm interested, but I might not be able to do it this time.  I have a support group that day.

[Charlize]

Would you send me the link i might be able to attend if time allows.  I'm currently attending 3 tgaa meetings and 2 lgbtq meetings a week on zoom and am a host on all if you need somebody to act tough and mute when necessary.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[AllieJ]

Ivy, if you aren't sure you can make it I'd prefer to let someone in who can! We are now 4 people and 4 more places.

 

Charlize, I would love it if you could come so you are on my list!

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[Ivy]

2 hours ago, AllieJ said:

Ivy, if you aren't sure you can make it I'd prefer to let someone in who can!

Sure, I understand.  My support group meets that day, and I prefer to attend in person, but it's an hour and a half drive.  I might not be home in time (EDT in NC)

But another meet might work out.  I've been on zoom before in other situations so I'm familiar with the platform.

 

Meeting with other trans people is a lifesaver.

[AllieJ]

29 minutes ago, Ivy said:

Sure, I understand.  My support group meets that day, and I prefer to attend in person, but it's an hour and a half drive.  I might not be home in time (EDT in NC)

But another meet might work out.  I've been on zoom before in other situations so I'm familiar with the platform.

 

Meeting with other trans people is a lifesaver.

Ivy, if we have more zooms hopefully you will be able to make them! In the 3 1/2 years we have been running zooms, we have had 4 people tell us that being able to connect in this way prevented them from doing something stupid. It definitely helped me get through some tough times.

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[Davie]

On 9/6/2023 at 9:41 PM, AllieJ said:

So, please indicate your interest here to attend next week.

Yes. I'm interested. Great idea. — Davie

[April Marie]

Hi, Allie!!! I would love to join in! I'll send you a PM as well. It's time for this girl to step out a bit.

[AllieJ]

Davie and April Marie, you are both in! We have enough to make it worth running so look for. a pm with the link in a couple of days! 

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[April Marie]

I am so excited!! I can't wait to talk with everyone. Thank you, Allie, for putting it together.

[Ivy]

10 hours ago, AllieJ said:

we have had 4 people tell us that being able to connect in this way prevented them from doing something stupid. It definitely helped me get through some tough times.

 

True for sure.  "Zooms" I've been in in the past were not trans related, but the VA support group used their own similar platform during Covid.  Even now it's a hybrid meeting.  I just prefer to attend in person when possible in spite of the drive.

I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't had the online meetings during the Covid shutdowns.

[Kasumi63]

Wow! I don't know how I missed this! I never knew there were these Zoom meetings. I would love to participate in Zoom gatherings! Living in Japan, I have rarely encountered English-speaking transgender people who I can share with, so this would be extremely helpful. I spent some time on TikTok and did make friends with some other transgender women, but the toxicity level there is so high that I had to leave. Supportive Zoom gathering would be wonderful! I would be thrilled to participate.

[AllieJ]

35 minutes ago, Kasumi63 said:

Wow! I don't know how I missed this! I never knew there were these Zoom meetings. I would love to participate in Zoom gatherings! Living in Japan, I have rarely encountered English-speaking transgender people who I can share with, so this would be extremely helpful. I spent some time on TikTok and did make friends with some other transgender women, but the toxicity level there is so high that I had to leave. Supportive Zoom gathering would be wonderful! I would be thrilled to participate.

Kasumi, this is the first for this forum, and a trial meeting  requested by another member from Japan. The start time would be around 9 am Wednesday morning until maybe midday Japan time. Does this work for you?

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[Heather Shay]

this sounds so exciting - please send link and East coast U.S. time again as a reminder Please.

[AllieJ]

3 minutes ago, Heather Shay said:

this sounds so exciting - please send link and East coast U.S. time again as a reminder Please.

Heather, it will start at 7 pm Tuesday Night US Central time, and the link will be sent via pm to those who have registered interest, we are capping it at 8 people from here, so just one spot left! Does that work for you?

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

 

 

[Kasumi63]

24 minutes ago, AllieJ said:

Kasumi, this is the first for this forum, and a trial meeting  requested by another member from Japan. The start time would be around 9 am Wednesday morning until maybe midday Japan time. Does this work for you?

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

Yes, I'm pretty sure I'll be free, but what time do you mean? I can make the calculation for Japan (JST) as long as I know what time you're referring to. Do you mean ACST?

[AllieJ]

12 minutes ago, Kasumi63 said:

Yes, I'm pretty sure I'll be free, but what time do you mean? I can make the calculation for Japan (JST) as long as I know what time you're referring to. Do you mean ACST?

9 am Wednesday Japan time.

 

Hugs 

Allie

 

[April Marie]

The excitement is building!  Start time for those of us in the Eastern US Time Zone will be 6PM Tuesday evening.

[Ivy]

I hope this works out.

[KathyLauren]

4 hours ago, AllieJ said:

Heather, it will start at 7 pm Tuesday Night US Central time,

 

3 hours ago, April Marie said:

Start time for those of us in the Eastern US Time Zone will be 6PM Tuesday evening.

 

Just a heads-up on time zones...  7:00 pm Central time is 8:00 pm Eastern time.  6:00 pm Mountain time and 5:00 pm Pacific time.