In April 2008 I decided to gauge the level of interest for a Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill / Cary -based transgender support group, called (for simplicity), the "Durham Gender Alliance (DGA):"
DURHAM GENDER ALLIANCE (DGA),
groups.yahoo.com/group/durhamgenderalliance,
a transgender support group serving the needs of gender-variant persons and their allies in the Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, ... region of North Carolina.
Membership in the DGA is available to all gender-variant individuals (crossdressers, transgender, transsexual, intersexed and questioning), as well as their significant others (e.g. spouses and family members).
Guiding principles include human dignity, support, inclusion, mutual respect and decorum, and shared / distributed leadership.
Please share your thoughts and comments regarding the planning, organization, logistics and administration of the DGA, either through this forum (via an email message to durhamgenderalliance@yahoogroups.com).
If you prefer, you may contact me privately (off-line) at victoria-cd-nc@nc.rr.com.
Please circulate this notice and the link to this website to *any* persons or groups whom you think might be interested in the DGA.
Sincerely,
Victoria S.
Durham, N.C.
DGA Discussion Group Moderator
April 2008
See also the nc_transgenders (Yahoo) group: "Transgendered girls in NC and elsewhere. ... This group is for any transgendered girl, crossdresser or admirer living in NC, SC, VA, Tenn, GA, FL, and AL. We are a restricted group for the enjoyment and betterment of tv/ts/tg girls and crossdressers. ... We join the TransCarolina and other NC groups in monthly socials. ..."
KAPPA BETA is the oldest chapter in NC of the Society of the Second Self, or more commonly known as "TRI-ESS." We were founded in 1988. We are centrally located in Charlotte and have been serving NC and surrounding states for over 15 years and have a significant following in many areas of both North and South Carolina, and attract members from as far away as Virginia and Kentucky. We meet on the third Saturday of each month primarily at mainstream public hotels and gay/lesbian restaurants. Contrary to popular belief you do not have to pass or be wealthy to become a member. There is no age range that you must be in although you must be at least 21."
"Security and privacy are very important concerns for our membership and there is a screening process. We are particular whom we select for membership and those who succeed find it is worth their time. We do not collect personal information about our members. If you conduct yourself as a classy lady and present a positive image of yourself you may have what we are looking for. The ladies of KB present themselves in a lady-like manner and project a positive image of crossdressing to the general public. We are committed to showing the non-TV the true version of our lifestyle."
P.S. Here is some additional advice regarding Choosing a Therapist (echoed here).
Post-script: As we have gotten to know Dana better, we find her to be both a highly skilled practitioner as well as a 'really neat' individual, with a special affinity/empathy for the transgendered community! I would very strongly encourage anyone considering laser and/or electrolysis treatments, particularly in the TG community, to visit her website, and give her a call !!
A personal note (January 2007): Sam Allen has been our therapist since mid-December 2006, and I highly recommend him! Please refer to the entries dated December 07, December 07-17, and December 18, 2006 in my Journal, for additional information.