Rebecca (she/her) is an activist who has worked with local legislators and community leaders to advance transgender rights, acceptance, and safety in all aspects of society. She has also recently joined the Client Advisory Board at the Center for Transgender Care at Northwell Health.
She has been transitioning MtF for three years, now nearing her second year on hormone replacement therapy. She will also be undergoing facial feminization surgery in the fall with the Northwell Health Plastic Surgery Division.
Recently, my affirming mental health professional suggested attending one of the new support groups at the Center for Trans Care in New Hyde Park; he thought it would be a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, or simply feel seen and supported in a safe place.
Transitioning can become overwhelming and isolating at times, especially when there is a segment of the population trying to erase our existence by dehumanizing us in the media, spreading misinformation about our medical treatments and outcomes, and restricting access to vital, life-saving medications.
Another form of isolation is when family, friends, and/or co-workers reject us because they “don’t approve” of our realization in living our most authentic self. Others may feel “guilty by association” being seen in public with one of “those things.” Or they can't grasp why anyone would “do that to themselves”.
However, instead of permitting further withdrawal from society and exacerbation of depressive symptoms, going to a safe, inclusive, and affirming place while discussing my experiences with other people who are also dealing with the same worries, anxieties, and emotional disruptions seemed to be the obvious answer.
The meeting was held at the Center for Trans Care in New Hyde Park, making the location a safe, inclusive, and familiar place. It is well-lit during the day and the afternoon lot has plenty of parking. It’s easily accessible from the Northern State Parkway, and a security desk is at the front entrance to the building.
Once inside, the staff is always friendly, accepting, respectful, and more than happy to assist with scheduling, directions, and other logistical needs to ensure your attendance.
The support groups are free and held in the lobby/waiting room area of the Center for Trans Care, with chairs arranged in a circular formation and a table in the center. A variety of light refreshments and pizza were provided for the attendees. Spots are limited, so registration is required to attend the event.
The groups are led by one of the program's psychologists, and after a brief introduction from all the participants, the discussions begins. There was never ANY pressure to participate, and everyone's privacy is respected and protected. For this meeting, there were 7 of us who participated, and it lasted for around 1 hour.
Some of the topics discussed were defining your LGBTQ self, knowing your self-worth, affirming your body, growing and thriving, finding support, and accessing resources. Other subjects in a more open discussion related to coping with anxiety and isolation, being stereotyped at places of employment, goals and aspirations of transitioning and coming out as transgender to family members.
It was inspiring to hear stories and experiences from the other participants, and they were all genuine and honest, while appreciating and understanding feedback from others. It was also humbling, and I didn’t feel alone being there. I felt I was in good company.
While in attendance, I couldn’t help but get involved and interact with the group, and before I knew it, time was up. There was never any judgment, and I never felt like I needed to “pass” to participate. I felt better about myself and more confident socializing with the group, and it reminded me how proud I was of myself for living an authentic life and transitioning.
After the meeting ended, everyone worked together reorganizing the waiting room chairs, returning tables to their proper place, and packing up the leftover refreshments. There was a real feeling of community working together as we further discussed some of the topics from that meeting.
I would recommend this support group to anyone who feels alone, isolated, misunderstood, in need of someone to talk to, or who feels like there is no one else out there. It’s a great place to be seen, heard, validated, and to feel safe.
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For information on upcoming support groups and for questions, feel free to contact us via phone at (516) 622-5195 or via email at [email protected].