Transgender Support Group

I am not afraid because I am the same as you

Kelly,

It took me a long time to get any friends requests. Not mentioning that the list has been somewhat quiet lately.

I would not take it personally. In fact, I am actually surprised when someone actually asks me for a friend request.

Wolf

I understand, it's just that it seems to me that supporting one another is crucial. It's something special to be encouraged in our daily lives. I was wondering if others felt the same way.

i think some people are unsure if anything, theres not many people like us on DS i'm afraid

Kelly,

Though I fully see the value on supporting each other, let's face it, support often comes in the guise of commiserating. It turns into "You are not alone" often followed by a tale of woe worse or equal to the example offered.

I am not being critical but I am bringing to light a common malaise among minority groups which is confusing sharing common struggles and actual support. If you look at my posts, I share my issues but I also offer insight on how I was able to overcome them, that to me is support.

It is true that sharing common struggles makes one feel less alone but it only does a fraction of the job. No one learns that way, and I, for one, have moved away from the "injustice" victim mentality and moved towards waking up the community towards self realization by illustrating the potential and power they actually have.

But, there again, not everyone wants it. And that's okay because, everyone has a path to follow for themselves but every now and then, it is actually nice if someone flashes a sign that says, "Rest stop 2 miles ahead" every now and then. Would you not say?

Wolf (FTM since 1987)

I think that by being open and communicating would be best. I just wish people would ask questions.

I usually don't ask to be friends with people online; even when I bother to use my facebook page. I just figure if people want to be friends, they'll ask - as I do on rare occasions here.

I try to offer support, usually by telling what I have experienced that might help someone; and I try not to comment on topics where I know nothing or haven't shared the experience discussed there.

I also keep a journal here, open to whomever wants to read it for whatever they can glean from it. Granted, lately, I've been so busy offline I haven't been posting there often, but I still try to as often as I have something to say.

If anyone wants me as a friend, just ask..... I'm always hesitant to ask others because we've never met outside of this support group online.

Hi Kelly,I had so many different account changes here on DS, but I'll send you a friend request.

Personally I'm rather new to the whole D.S. site. I've been on Facebook and have like over 130 friends there, but when it came to start friending people on this site I got really super nervous actually. I mean on facebook it's sort of like okay I know this one person who knows the boat I'm in and then suddenly I am friend suggested with another four men who he knows from his circle. Now I have never met any of these men including the first guy, but I met the first guy online through an LGBTQQIA youth support Google list serve. He is also known by other friends of mine. So on facebook I sort of friended random people through a network. Now on this site I'm a little bit more shy like. I know no one. Okay I chatted with one guy the first day I got here and was like how on earth do you make friends on this site? So there is a couple of things I kind of do here. I friend people who I feel need support or who I can be of any use to. As wise as picking anyone else I sort of get a little shy. I will friend most people if they ask me. Anyone else sort of gets put to the back burner till either they have made enough really good comments that I can see a drastic pattern and I realize I need to friend them to. This is actually probably the most effective way of befriending people but I am lazy and don't normally keep track of who said what to who.