Gender Identity Clinic Support Group

The purpose of the support group is to provide a safe environment for those who, at one time or another, have felt the desire to adopt the felt-gender role either temporarily or on a full-time basis. Therefore group members may include those who cross-dress intermittently and for a variety of purposes, as well as those with the expressed intention of living in the felt-gender role on a permanent basis whether or not they are seeking sex reassignment surgery. The group is intended to provide a venue for all those with cross-gender feelings to share their experiences with other individuals in the same or similar situation.

The group is not intended to influence its members either to repress their cross-gender feelings or behaviours or to express them more extensively. Rather the goal is to help each individual determine what level of adaptation to their gender role works best for them. Group members are expected to help one another recognize ways of expressing cross-gender feelings, which facilitate personal growth in a positive and constructive manner.

Group members should be prepared to actively participate in discussions and to offer constructive feedback to others to help them examine whether they are being realistic or self-deceptive in terms of their current gender behaviour or future plans. The group should provide an emotionally supportive environment where members can express their gender-related anxieties, longings, frustrations and successes without fear.

Although the emphasis of the group is on mutual help between members, all group sessions will be led by a staff member affiliated with the Gender Identity Clinic. The group is open to those individuals who have had a prior consultation with clinic staff and have been recommended to attend the group. The group is open to those who identify as cross-dressers or transgendered as well as to both female-to-male and male-to-female clients. Please note that only those who have had a formal consultation by the Gender Clinic are eligible for consideration. It is not an open community drop-in group.

The support group meets weekly from September to June at the College Street site. There are no summer group meetings.

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