Group Support Meetings

[Bernice]

It took me over an hour to find this particular thread, so forgive me for replying to a stale thread. It's heavy on my mind right now.

My perception has always been that Kansas really is as bigoted as you think. I’m too far away from any support groups I can find on the Internet, and I’m way too poor to go to Eureka Springs.

I have no desire to break any forum rules by posting to meet others. I’m hoping I can touch this subject by virtue of having not been the one who started it.

All that said, I agree with posts above, that all participants have to be comfortable with the idea before committing to a face-to-face meeting. 16 months ago I offered to do a photo shoot for another forum member. For many varied reasons it has not happened, though we maintain friendly communication.

If 2-15% of us genetic males are crossdressers, why can’t I find a local TG to befriend?

The other day, I ran across an acquaintance at the local WalMart. I noticed he was perusing the ladies stockings, as in fact I had been about to do myself. He didn’t notice me. I didn’t make eye contact or speak, nor did I shop the hosiery aisle. Later, elsewhere in the store, I did see him again, and I did speak. He is the type that seems to share everything in his personal life. He went on for a few minutes about everything he was holding in his hands – everything except the black fishnet pantyhose. I didn’t press him. Perhaps he bought two fishing nets for the legitimate purpose of maintaining his outdoor pond, as he explained, or perhaps he bought the nets as cover for the stockings purchase. Perhaps the stockings were purchased as an experiment. He is very clean-shaven, and he – like me – likes to know when people are coming over to visit. His wife is pretty masculine – I can’t envision her in fishnet stockings, especially at her age. She is a radiologist, and he is retired. What little evidence I have is way too little to do anything except speculate wildly, but it seems consistent with observations that he could be a closeted crossdresser like me.

OK - to the point of the last story – how can I approach him discreetly, in a non-threatening way, and if my suspicions are correct – turn a common personality trait into a basis for a much closer friendship? Should I use anonymous E-mail? Should I wait several days so as not to allow him a timing connection with the chance meeting in the store?

I love this forum, but it does lack one thing that only a face-to-face meeting can provide: immediate feedback, verbal and non-verbal. I still feel somewhat isolated.

I’d appreciate everyone’s thoughts. PMs are also always welcome.

Hugs,

Bernice

[DonnaT]

Depends on how much you want to be "out", Bernice. And if you're not worried about being out.

If you want it bad enough, find an occasion (invite over?) to get together, and simply state, "You know one thing I really need in my life right now?" He'll probalby as k what, and you respond, "Crossdressers like myself to talk to. It's so lonely not having anyone else to talk to."

Or try:

Kansas City Crossdressers And Friends (KCCAF)
P.O. Box 4092
Overland Park, KS 66204
E-mail: kccaf2001@aol.com
MAGGIE affiliate.
Transgender social and educational support group.
Meetings on the 1st Thursday & 3rd Saturday of each month.
Newsletter.
http://www.kccaf.com/
.

Wichita Transgender Alliance
P.O. Box 754
Wichita, KS 67201-0754
Phone: (316) 618-6618
E-mail: wichita_tg@geocities.com or
E-mail: LaylaJ@aol.com
MAGGIE affiliated support group.
Bi-weekly meetings at a local church. Newsletter
http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/village/6012

[Virginia]

Hey Bernice!!!!!
Is Donna goood or what!!!! I agree with her approach too. Hopefully you will get some other ideas and it is a requirement now --- you are committed, you got to let us know what you decide to do and how it all works out for you.
Virginia