The topic for the April 2008 was scheduled to be related to local resources and what resources people would like to have access to. The meeting was cancelled to allow people to attend a screening of Southern Comfort. While no discussion occurred this week here are some local resources that might be of interest to people. Some of the resources are FtM+ or FtM+/SOFFA specific while others are more general to the larger trans and SOFFA community.
Minnesota Trangender Health Coalition
“The Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition is committed to improving health care access and the quality of health care received by trans and gender variant people through education, resources, and advocacy.”
Among the features of this website is a searchable directory of healthcare providers for the Twin Cities metro area.
T-Men
“TMen provides support, community, and socializing for everyone on the transgender spectrum who was assigned female at birth and no longer feels that is complete or accurate.
We welcome, and try to provide space and content for FTMS, genderqueers, intersexed folks, those questioning their gender, transbutches, transmen, bois, FTMs who now identify as men, trannyfags, and many other flavors of gender.”
This is the organization who’s meetings this blog lists resources and information from.
Genderblur
“Providing social events for the trans,genderqueer and allied communities.” Genderblur is an especially useful space for individuals who identify as genderqueer or who have identities that are outside of traditional labels. However, it is not limited to this and strives to be open and accessible to all who wish to attend and/or participate.
The Gender Education Center
” A Minnesota non-profit corporation of differently gendered people dedicated to support, advocacy & education.” The Gender Education Center provides educational presentations for educational institutions, businesses and other spaces where individuals are transitioning or that desire to learn more about the transgender community.
City of Lakes Crossgender Community
“City of Lakes Crossgender Community was founded in 1983 to provide support for Transgender people in our area. CLCC has grown over the years to provide many fun and exciting social actives as well as Transgender education and outreach to the general public.” CLCC primarily serves Male to Female (MtF) transgender individuals as well as their SOFFAs.
Tau Epsilon Mu Chapter of Tri-Ess
“Tau Epsilon Mu is an affiliate of Tri-Ess International, an association of heterosexual crossdressers and their families and seeks to support them and educate them and the community in which we live about crossdressing.”
In addition to local transgender specific organizations thare are organizations that offer support to FtM+ individuals and SOFFAs through a range of services. These organizations range from those that offer FtM+ or SOFFA specific services to those that serve the LGBTQA… community and those that are known to be FtM+ and/or SOFFA friendly and supportive regardless of whether these are specifically stated attributes.
Face to Face Health and Counseling, Inc.
“Face to Face offers many services for young people ages 11 to 23. We are sensitive to young people’s needs and offer health care and support services that are high-quality and affordable even without insurance.” The services offerred include a range of physical and mental health care as well as support groups and educational programs.
District 202
“District 202 is a nonprofit youth community center committed to providing social, cultural and educational opportunities by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) youth and their friends.
Through a collaborative process with adult and youth staff, this strong community of queer and allied youth (21 and younger), determine the activities of District 202. In the process they define themselves, create community, expand their understanding of the world, learn they are empowered to speak to their own experience, and they have fun.”
Walk-In Counseling Center
“WICC provides a variety of services which address unmet mental health needs. These include providing crisis intervention and short-term counseling to people who do not have access to other services. These are provided without fee. WICC also provides consultation to individuals and organizations on a variety of service issues. Finally, it provides training locally and nationally on a number of issues.”
Transgender Health Services theough the Program in Human Sexuality (PHS) at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
“The Center for Sexual Health offers up-to-date hormone therapy and facilitates referrals to a network of surgeons competent in breast augmentation, chest reconstruction, and genital reconstructive surgery (both male-to-female and female-to-male). Recommendations for hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery are based on the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association’s Standards of Care.” You can find a full list of programs and services offerred on the PHS website
Outfront Minnesota
“OutFront Minnesota’s mission is to make our state a place where GLBT Minnesotans have the freedom, power, and confidence to make the best choices for their own lives.”
Throught he outfront website you can access employment listings for Minnesota and beyond and also a listing of LGBTQA… friendly places of worship They also have a listing of some of the LGBTQA… organizations that both in Minnesota and nationally.
The Transgender Commission of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
“The Transgender Commission is a coalition of people from across the University and greater community working to create change and equality for people of all gender identities and expressions.”
Family and Children’s Services of Minnesota -Counseling Services
“We are a diverse group of professional social workers, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists. Let us help you find the right professional to help with your situation – we specialize in counseling for families, couples, children, teens, adults, and GLBT support and resources. Evening appointments are available.Counseling services are offered on a sliding-fee scale based on your family’s income and ability to pay, and insurance is accepted.”
If you cannot find an organization or type of organization there is always the opportunity for starting something new. Things that have happened through T-Men in the past include:
GenderQueer Night Out
“Social gathering for ppl of all genders … Genderqueers, allies, family, partners, etc”
24/7 Night Out
“Social gathering for transmen and people living 24/7 (fulltime) as men”
Partners Group
“Group for partners of trans/genderqueer people”
A listing of past meeting topics and member started groups
Other groups that have been sponsored by or branched out from other FtM+/SOFFA organizations include:
Writing Groups
Bible Studies
Art Groups
Sports Teams
Bowling Groups
Support Groups around addiction
Support Groups around mental health concerns
Family Groups
The potential for new groups and resources is only limited by imagination.
