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124 Race Street • San Jose, CA 95126 • (408) 298-6900

vol. xiii • no. vi • May 2008

MtF Support Groups

Diablo Valley Girls (DVG)

“Diablo Valley Girls is a non-profit, non-sexual support group for transgendered individuals, their families and friends.

“We were formed in May 1991 by several local members of TGSF, formerly ETVC.

“Although mainly serving the needs of those in the East Bay area of Northern California, we have members in five states. DVG is an open group and welcomes all mature and responsible persons. Our membership and mailing lists are confidential and our members are expected to observe everyone's right to privacy.

“We are not a dating or sexual contact service. Anyone with these interests should look elsewhere.”

Membership is $20 per year, and includes a subscription to DVG's monthly newsletter, the Devil Woman. Applications are available at socials or by SASE to DVG's P.O. Box.

  • DVG Socials are held on the first and third Mondays of each month, at 8 p.m., at the Club 1220, 1220 Pine St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
  • The DVG Rap Group meets on the first Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m., at the Rainbow Community Center, 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200, Concord CA 94519
  • Fifth Monday Dinners: in months with a fifth Monday, DVG members meet at a friendly resturant for a no-host group dinner.
  • Phone: (925) 937-8432 (Answered live Monday through Thursday, 7-10 p.m. You can leave a message any time.)
  • Snail Mail: DVG, P.O. Box 272885, Concord, CA 94527
  • Web site: www.transgender.org/dvg/
  • Email: dvg@transgender.org

Mid-Peninsula Support Group (MPSG)

A support/rap group for all transgendered persons, including MtF and FtM. MPSG is a support group with an emphasis on real support. This is the place to come if you need advice, support, or just a place to talk about what's going on in your life. The group is open to anyone regardless of age, gender identification, race, religion or sexual preference. The only rule is to treat your fellow attendees with respect and courtesy.

This group is supported by funds donated by TGSF. Donations are requested, but not required—no one will be turned away.

  • Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:30–10 pm in the Mahogany Meeting Room in Sequoia Union High School District Administration Building, James and Elwood, Redwood City, CA. 94062.
  • Email: destinee382436@yahoo.com

Rainbow Gender Association (RGA)

“The Rainbow Gender Association is a social and support group for transgendered people in the South San Francisco Bay Area. Our purposes are:

“To provide a safe and welcome place for male-to-female and female-to-male transsexuals, transvestites, and their significant others to get together with like-minded individuals. Attendance at RGA functions is open to all interested persons regardless of gender.

“To promote the growth and development of RGA members as complete women and men through emotional support and education.

“To reach out to all transsexuals and transvestites in an effort to help them accept and make peace with themselves."

There is no charge for membership—but donations to defray the cost of the meeting room and refreshments are welcome. RGA publishes a newsletter, The Rainbow, about eight times a year. Subscriptions are $10 per year. To subscribe, speak to Gelsey at a social, or mail a check or money order (made out to RGA) to the RGA's P.O. Box.

  • RGA Socials are held on the first and third Fridays of each month, from 8 p.m. to about 11 p.m., at the New Community of Faith Church, 6350 Rainbow Drive, San Jose CA 95129.
  • Potlucks: twice a year, usually on the third Friday meetings of July and December, RGA hosts a potluck dinner.
  • Fifth Friday Dinners: in months with a fifth Friday, RGA members meet at a friendly resturant for a no-host group dinner: the Gal's and Guy's Night Out.
  • Phone: (408)-984-4044 (A recorded message. You can leave a message of your own.)
  • Snail Mail: Rainbow Gender Association, P. O. Box 700730, San Jose, CA 95170-0730
  • Web site: www.transgender.org/rga/
  • Email: rga@carlas.com

River City Gems

“The River City Gems are a social and support group for crossdressers, their partners, and their families. We are based in Sacramento and have members from all over Northern California and neighboring states.”

“Our primary goal is to provide crossdressers and their significant others with opportunities to socialize in a personally affirming, safe, and supportive environment. We also strive to raise awareness of crossdressing and to promote a positive image of our community to business owners, the media, and the general public. But most of all, we like to have fun! The joy we feel in being who we are is captured in our motto, ‘Celebrating Feminine Expression’.”

“As part of that overall mission and focus, we feel we have a special responsibility to assist those who are in the closet, or are just beginning their search for understanding and self-acceptance. For these girls, a helping hand from a group of caring big sisters can make a world of difference. This is one reason why it is so important that we not shut the door on anyone who needs us. Many crossdressers, when they first reach out to a social or support group, are still struggling to understand their own transgendered feelings. They may not know exactly where they fit within the transgender spectrum, and they need a safe space where they can find themselves. We feel that in order to be supportive of each person's process of self-discovery, we must have a membership policy that embraces all crossdressers, regardless of their reasons for dressing or how they prefer to identify themselves.”

“The fact is that many male-to-female transgender people initially come out as crossdressers. Over time, a few will realize that their dressing is motivated by underlying gender identity issues that are different from what most crossdressers feel. Those who go on to identify as transsexual women will most likely find that a crossdressing group like ours cannot address all of their needs, and in that case we can help them connect with other local organizations that can offer more appropriate support. A non-discriminatory membership policy will allow us to welcome those who are questioning, and assist them in finding their path.”

“Our annual membership fees are $50 for an individual or $75 for a couple. Dues are prorated for those joining mid-year. You may attend your first two socials or extra events for free as our guest. After that, you have the option of either applying for membership, or continuing to attend as a guest for a door fee of $5 per person, per event. Members do not pay a door fee. Members also enjoy other benefits which will be explained to you at an orientation meeting when you submit your membership application. One hundred percent of funds collected from members go directly to supporting group events, activities, and outreach.”

Sacramento Gender Association (SGA)

“The Sacramento Gender Association (SGA) is a non-sexual, membership-based organization serving the educational and recreational needs of the gender challenged community, their spouses, significant others, family members and related professionals. Membership is open to everyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”

Membership is $24 per year for singles ($36 per year for a family membership) and includes a subscription to SGA's bi-monthly newsletter, Transcend. A printable membership application is available on the SGA web site.

Santa Cruz Trans

“All gender-different persons are invited to join and help define the needs of the diverse Santa Cruz Trans public. All persons-transsexual, transgender, and transvestite; MTF, FTM, pre-op, non-op, and post-op; drag kings and queens; intersex and two-spirit; gender queer, gender-variant, gender-different, and gender-questioning-are welcome. Your voice is vital to our community!”

Sigma Delta Gamma Chapter (Tri-Ess)

Sigma Delta Gamma is a Sacramento chapter of Tri-Ess, The Society for the Second Self. Membership is strictly limited to heterosexual crossdressers and their spouses, and prospective members are required to undergo a screening process.

For more information on this group and membership requirements, please visit the web link below.

South Bay Trans Women Support Group

“A group for MTF trans people, including cross dressers, gender questioning, considering the transition, in process or completed the transition.”

  • Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, 7:30–9 p.m., at the Billy DeFrank Center, 938 The Alameda, San Jose CA 95126.
  • Phone: (408) 293-2429 (DeFrank Center hotline)
  • Email: adultprog@defrank.org

TGCD.net: Bay Area Chapter

“The TGCD.net: Bay Area Chapter, is a Social Club for “Classy T-Girls and Friends.” We meet regularly at local cross dresser and transgender friendly establishments and occasional private parties. We meet both during the week and on the weekends.”

“Along with our sister group in L.A., we are dedicated to keeping our members informed about important social events, nightlife, gatherings and community issues.”

“We are about creating and nurturing lifelong friendships. Come out, be yourself and have fun!”

Transbay

“If you are transgendered—that is, if you are a crossdresser, a transsexual, intersexed, bigendered, an androgyne or in any other way transcend the gender assigned to you at birth—and you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then TransBay is for you.”

  • Meetings: Meets on the third Wednesday of each month, at Quetzal Cafe, 1234 Polk Street, San Francisco CA 94109.
  • Web site: www.transbay.org
  • Email: info@transbay.org

TransGender San Francisco (TGSF)

Transgender San Francisco (formerly ETVC) is the Bay Area's largest TG group. “TGSF is a group for all members of the Transgendered Community. Transgender is used as an umbrella term that includes female and male cross dressers, transvestites, drag queens or kings, female or male impersonators, intersexed individuals, pre-operative, post-operative or non-operative transsexuals, masculine females, feminine males, all persons whose perceived gender or anatomical sex may be incongruent with their gender expression, and all persons exhibiting gender characteristics and identities which are perceived to be androgynous.”

TGSF has active Outreach and Education programs. They maintain a speakers bureau and sponsor talks and seminars at their End-of-the-month socials, and other venues.

TGSF holds two large yearly events: the Halloween party and the Bay Area's premier TG community social event, the TGSF Cotillion. TGSF also throws special parties throughout the year.

TGSF publishes a monthly newsletter, The Channel.

Membership is $40 per year (if you want your Channel mailed to you), or $35 per year (if you want to read your Channel online).

  • TGSF's End-of-the-Month Social is held on the last Thursday of each month, from 7:30 p.m. to about 10 p.m., at The Cathedral Hill Hotel, 1101 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco CA 94109.
  • The ExCom, TGSF's Executive Committee, meets on the first Sunday of each month, beginning at 1 p.m., also at the Cathedral Hill Hotel. All TGSF members in good standing are welcome to attend ExCom meetings.
  • Phone: (415) 839-9448 (Hotline and voicemail)
  • Snail Mail: TGSF, P.O. Box 426486, San Francisco, CA 94142-6486
  • Web site: www.tgsf.org
  • Email: transgendersanfrancisco@yahoo.com

TransUnidas

“Looking for a multi-cultural transgender support group?

“Join us at TransUnidas … our group caters to the Latina, Asian & Pacific Islander, Afro American and Native American transgender women of color communities.

“We are part of TransPowerment Program of San Jose.”

  • Meetings: 6–8 pm on the third Friday of each month, at 614 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111.
  • More Information: Call Danielle Castro at (408) 648-7906, or Aunty Anita at (501) 449-8257.