GenderWork

9/2/07:  How do you deal with going through a second puberty as an adult with adult responsibilities?  We are expected to act professionally and like an adult, yet we need to explore our new identities as well.

9/16/07:  Birthday Celebration in honor of two special members!

10/7/07:  How do you deal with being trans and having related and/or unrelated mental health issues?(e.g. depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD...)

10/21/07:  Dating! How to meet people to date, and then how to deal with issues once you are dating someone.This topic includes sexual orientation as well…how it may change as a result of transitioning and how does this complicate dating?

11/4/07:  How to create social spaces and community. This can be difficult when you are out to some and not to others. For example, those who came from the lesbian community can’t hang out with lesbians anymore (or can they?), and may still feel like an outsider amongst heterosexual men. So, what to do? Where does one fit in? And does it matter? 

11/18/07:  NO MEETING. Instead please attend Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil at 5pm followed by Night of Fallen Stars from 7-9pm at Center on Halsted.

12/2/07:   Coming out! How to tell your friends, family, co-workers, etc. Share your coming out stories and help others who are going through the coming out process or who will be soon! Also, when do you come out to someone you are dating? Or want to date...

12/16/07:  What does it mean to be "male"? What does it mean to be "trans"? What does it mean to be "genderqueer"? We will share and discuss our beliefs and perceptions regarding labels, identity, and masculinity.

1/6/08:  Gender and spirituality. What is the relationship between being transgender and the various spiritual traditions of the world? How has your personal relationship to spirituality changed with transition? Also, what about rites of passage? What is the importance (or lack thereof) of having a ritual or ceremony to mark an important milestone or change in our lives?

1/20/08:  Guest speakers:  Logan and Laura Grimes will be discussing relationships, sharing their story, and answering your questions! You won't want to miss this one!

2/3/08:  The Single Life. The pros/cons. How to deal with living in a "couples world" and is it really that bad? How do these issues differ (or not) for trans people? This will be a particularly relevant meeting with Valentine's Day coming up. Do you look forward to Valentine's? Do you dread it? Do you not celebrate it (or any holiday) at all? Share and discuss your thoughts at our next meeting!

2/17/08:  How does race/ethnicity factor into being trans? What are the unique needs of those of various cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, skin colors?

3/2/08:  It's a love/hate relationship. Some FTMs really dislike (or used to dislike) men. How does one deal with the contradiction of becoming something you resent? We will touch on the issues of sexism, feminism, and male privilege. ("closed" meeting)

3/16/08:  Cancelled. 

4/6/08, "closed": It's officially Spring. Time to come out of your house, and perhaps out of the "closet"... but how do you go about it? Discuss your concerns with those who've gone through the process.

4/20/08, "open": Masculinity: what is it? and how can you get it?

5/4/08, "closed": Hormones? Surgery? Or other body modifications? How do you know if and when to start a physical transition?

5/18/08, "open": How to deal with doctors, therapists, and other medical providers as a transperson?

6/1/08, "closed": Living stealth. Or perhaps semi-stealth (whatever that might mean to you). The pros/cons. Do transpeople have an obligation to be out at least to some extent? Is it possible to leave the past behind?

6/15/08, "open": Summer is right around the corner...looking for summer love? We'll discuss various ways to approach finding that special someone.

7/6/08, "closed": How to deal with binding in the summer heat? What about going swimming? Beaches, swimming pools, locker rooms? Discuss what works and what doesn't at this meeting.

7/20/08, "open": Guest speaker! Lisa Katona, LCSW is Patient Navigator with LCCP and Howard Brown Health Center and will be joining us for the evening to talk about transgender healthcare and answer your questions. Your health is just as important as everyone else’s.  If you are transgender, institutional and individual barriers can make medical services difficult to access. LCCP is committed to working with and on behalf of the transgender community. Howard Brown Health Center now provides services for transgender individuals to receive free chest/breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment in a safe, sensitive environment. This program covers individuals who are either uninsured, or not covered for this type of care due to the limitations of their existing insurance based on gender.  If you have it, it needs to get checked! Call Howard Brown today to schedule a free screening: 773/572-6981.

8/3/08, "closed": A lot of the socializing in the LGBT community goes on in the bar/club scene. What are some other ways to socialize outside of bars and night clubs? Discuss how to broaden your social scene at this meeting!

8/17/08, "open": Guest speaker! Starting T is a great reason to quit smoking (and sometime quitting is a prerequisite to starting hormone therapy). Howard Brown's Bitch To Quit smoking cessation program is a great resource. Kristin Torres, MSW and Bitch To Quit Project Coordinator will be our guest speaker. We'll also have time to discuss other types of addictions and general resources.

9/7/08, "closed": Let's talk about sex. Negotiating, having frank discussions about prosthetic/add-on options, and anything and everything that we deal with in terms of sex and being trans!

9/21/08, "open": Transition can be stressful. What are the best techniques for stress management? Examples could include yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, breath-work. Discuss and share what works for you!

10/5/08, "closed": Let's talk about sex AGAIN. Sex Part 2: Negotiating, having frank discussions about prosthetic/add-on options, and anything and everything that we deal with in terms of sex and being trans!

10/19/08, "open": Body dysphoria. Many transgender individuals experience deep internal distress of body dysphoria. We'll discuss what it is, our feelings about it, and how to deal with it.

11/2/08, "closed": Passing tips. What are some ways to masculinize without the use of hormones?

11/16/08, "open": CANCELED, instead please attend the TDOR events at Center on Halsted.

12/7/08, "closed": Packers, harnesses, jock straps, STP devices, Pack N Play... dealing with sports, locker rooms, swimming, jogging, etc... we'll discuss it all.

12/21/08, "open": Sexuality and sexual orientation. We'll discuss how it may change as a result of transitioning and how to go about exploring your new-found sexuality...safely. :)

1/4/09, "closed":  Surgeries galore...we'll discuss all the various types of surgeries available for transmen with regards to transition and/or masculinization. Top surgeries, bottom surgeries, liposuction, and other cosmetic surgeries.

1/18/09, "open": Dealing with the coming out process when you are first starting transition.

2/1/09, "closed": We'll talk about coming out once you are passing (i.e. how stealth do you want to be?)

2/15/09, "open":  Dating and transition. Before/during/after.

3/1/09, "closed":  Paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork...the legal parts of transition.

3/15/09, "open": Sex Part 3. We'll discuss anything and everything to do with sex and transition

4/5/09, "closed":  Body image. We'll discuss the different aspects of how being transgender can complicate one's body image.

4/19/09, "open":  Role models. As we go about creating a self that authentically represents our true gender, where do we look for examples?

5/3/09, "closed":   Looking to get into "beach" shape? We'll talk about fitness and nutrition.

5/17/09, "open": We'll discuss stereotypes and media representations of transgender people. Are there movies or TV shows with transgender characters you like/dislike, and why? How about a discussion about Max on the L Word? Warning, this meeting may contain spoilers if you haven't seen particular movies or TV shows!

6/7/09, "closed":   SPECIAL GUEST FACILITATOR! We'll discuss how faith, religion, and spirituality connect with being transgender.

6/21/09, "open":  It's Father's Day. Are you a parent and transgender? Are you transgender and want to become a parent? Come share and discuss your experiences and thoughts on parenting as a trans person.

7/5/09, "closed":  General discussion.

7/19/09, "open":  Nick's last meeting!

8/2/09, "closed": "Trans People in the Media"  This group discussion will center around
trans images in the media. What images are we seeing and how do they
influence us and the general population? Do we need more exposure?  Please
come share your thoughts and views.

8/16/09, "open":  "Who are we and who are you?"  This subject matter will be a discussion
about conforming to males stereotypes or not.  How do we stay true to
ourselves without compromising our masculinity? How do we strike a balance
now that the world sees us as male.

9/6/09, "closed": Canceled due to Labor Day Holiday weekend.

9/20/09, "open":  "Managing Identities" How to deal with your history during/after transitioning.

10/4/09, "closed":  This meeting will focus on fitness while on T. We will address things like weight training, conditioning, and nutrition. Come together to share your ideas and hear what others have done.

10/18/09, "open": This meeting will focus on men's grooming issues. We will address things like sizing yourself properly in men's clothing, age-appropriate dress, facial/skin care, hair care.

**November Sex Series**:  NOVEMBER IS A CLOSED MONTH.  ONLY MALE-IDENTIFIED PERSONS ALLOWED, NO PARTNERS PLEASE.

11/1/09, "closed": Negotiating Dating & Sexual Intimacy. Got fears? Got questions? Got experience? Come talk and ask questions about it all. This will include, packing, toys, strapping, etc.

11/15/09, "closed": BDSM/Kink: For guys who are curious, whether you have experience or not. Come and talk about the culture, activities, etc.

12/6/09, "closed":  TBD

12/20/09: Cancelled due to holiday break. See you next year!

 

Here we list the topics of all previous meetings. Topics do get recycled so if you see something that interests you, we may be talking about it again soon! Check out the upcoming topics on the SCHEDULE page.