RGMCjim
01-27-03, 10:30 PM
Hi,
I thought you’d be interested in hearing about an exciting new venture I’m involved in as a board member of Rochester Transgender Group. The new group described below had it’s first meeting and it was very successful. People of many different ages, sex/gender types including my gay male partner, and even out-of-town visitors from a Finger Lakes group were present. Discussion was varied, lively and afterwards many of those attending left to carry on at a local bar. I’ve included our brochure text which you’re free to copy and pass on to anyone you know who might be interested.
At the beginning of 2003, we at Rochester Transgender Group felt a need to start a "social" group (as opposed to just a simple support group) that would welcome people of any/all gender/sex variance. We wanted to see this as an outgrowth of and inclusive of (but not limited to) the larger Rochester Transgender Group. This is a tertiary identity development group. Unlike support groups which focus on beginning stages of self-realization, self actualization, transition, coming out issues and coping mechanisms for survival this group is more likely (but not limited to) appeal to people who are at a further stage of building community. Many of us will be people who have dual or multiple citizenship in the GLBTI rainbow and we'll be bridge building, blurring the lines between the colors of our rainbow. We intend to use a large variety of structured and non-structured activities to do this. We're starting simple, with a meeting format of introduction/news-general/news local, a small icebreaking or discussion starting activity and then open socializing. Of the 10 core members we have individuals with access to transgender/transex people who don't usually identify as transsexual. We intend to constantly solicit input (and members!) from the RTG and the "queer" community at large. The core members include 1 intersexed gay man (me), a MtF & intersexed woman couple, FtM post-op transsexual, Ftm & MtF transgendered and 4 MtF transsexuals at varying stages of transition - one of whom is the Interim Director of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley.
Jim Costich
OUR BROCHURE READS:
NEW Gender/Sex Variant Group
Under the existing RTG Trans-community Group there is a new Saturday group meeting on January 25th at the GAGV.
This group will meet every last Saturday of each month, 2-5pm
People who are living with or concerned about Gender/Sex issues can come and join us. ALL ARE WELCOMED. Are you a person of the following: Gay/Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersexed? Do you consider yourself a transvestite, cross-dresser, transgenderist, Transman/Transwoman, Pre-op/Post-op/Non-op? Do people think of you as a Femme or Butch, Bi-gendered, Two-spirit, Androgynous, Boy Dyke or Girl Fag, Metamorph, Drag King or Queen, Gender Bender, Gender Queer, Gender Outlaw, Pangendered? If you feel that you fall into any of these Gender/Sex expressions, or some place similar, or want to become a supportive Gender Ally then please do not hesitate to join us. We also wish to stress a commitment to the younger group of gender questioners in Rochester and surrounding areas.
A Topic with news and views will start the meeting, followed by some kind of activity to focus our attention, personal experiences and thoughts will follow, then we’ll end with a period of socialization, and gabbing.
We also wish to emphasize COMMUNITY. This is a great opportunity to bring people together who live with gender/sex issues and who want to become part of a community that is diverse and which understands where you are coming from. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
We hope to bring the TG aspect of the GLBT community at GAGV into the future, and get out of the "TG pathology ghetto". This reflects the current political and social climate of the larger T and GLBT communities worldwide.
SEE OUR WEBSITE:
www.geocities.com/rochestertransgendergroup/
RTGENDERGROUP.html
Yahoogroup posting site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RTGgendergroup/post
E_MAIL: rtgendergroup@yahoo.com
I thought you’d be interested in hearing about an exciting new venture I’m involved in as a board member of Rochester Transgender Group. The new group described below had it’s first meeting and it was very successful. People of many different ages, sex/gender types including my gay male partner, and even out-of-town visitors from a Finger Lakes group were present. Discussion was varied, lively and afterwards many of those attending left to carry on at a local bar. I’ve included our brochure text which you’re free to copy and pass on to anyone you know who might be interested.
At the beginning of 2003, we at Rochester Transgender Group felt a need to start a "social" group (as opposed to just a simple support group) that would welcome people of any/all gender/sex variance. We wanted to see this as an outgrowth of and inclusive of (but not limited to) the larger Rochester Transgender Group. This is a tertiary identity development group. Unlike support groups which focus on beginning stages of self-realization, self actualization, transition, coming out issues and coping mechanisms for survival this group is more likely (but not limited to) appeal to people who are at a further stage of building community. Many of us will be people who have dual or multiple citizenship in the GLBTI rainbow and we'll be bridge building, blurring the lines between the colors of our rainbow. We intend to use a large variety of structured and non-structured activities to do this. We're starting simple, with a meeting format of introduction/news-general/news local, a small icebreaking or discussion starting activity and then open socializing. Of the 10 core members we have individuals with access to transgender/transex people who don't usually identify as transsexual. We intend to constantly solicit input (and members!) from the RTG and the "queer" community at large. The core members include 1 intersexed gay man (me), a MtF & intersexed woman couple, FtM post-op transsexual, Ftm & MtF transgendered and 4 MtF transsexuals at varying stages of transition - one of whom is the Interim Director of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley.
Jim Costich
OUR BROCHURE READS:
NEW Gender/Sex Variant Group
Under the existing RTG Trans-community Group there is a new Saturday group meeting on January 25th at the GAGV.
This group will meet every last Saturday of each month, 2-5pm
People who are living with or concerned about Gender/Sex issues can come and join us. ALL ARE WELCOMED. Are you a person of the following: Gay/Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersexed? Do you consider yourself a transvestite, cross-dresser, transgenderist, Transman/Transwoman, Pre-op/Post-op/Non-op? Do people think of you as a Femme or Butch, Bi-gendered, Two-spirit, Androgynous, Boy Dyke or Girl Fag, Metamorph, Drag King or Queen, Gender Bender, Gender Queer, Gender Outlaw, Pangendered? If you feel that you fall into any of these Gender/Sex expressions, or some place similar, or want to become a supportive Gender Ally then please do not hesitate to join us. We also wish to stress a commitment to the younger group of gender questioners in Rochester and surrounding areas.
A Topic with news and views will start the meeting, followed by some kind of activity to focus our attention, personal experiences and thoughts will follow, then we’ll end with a period of socialization, and gabbing.
We also wish to emphasize COMMUNITY. This is a great opportunity to bring people together who live with gender/sex issues and who want to become part of a community that is diverse and which understands where you are coming from. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
We hope to bring the TG aspect of the GLBT community at GAGV into the future, and get out of the "TG pathology ghetto". This reflects the current political and social climate of the larger T and GLBT communities worldwide.
SEE OUR WEBSITE:
www.geocities.com/rochestertransgendergroup/
RTGENDERGROUP.html
Yahoogroup posting site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RTGgendergroup/post
E_MAIL: rtgendergroup@yahoo.com