North Carolina-Related Transgendered Resources
This is a relatively new (~mid-2007) and much-needed group serving the Charlotte area, much like the TGA group (below) serves the Greensboro area (including Raleigh-Durham, ...).
Founded in April 2008 by Victoria S.:
Hello! Welcome to the Durham Gender Alliance (DGA), a transgender support group serving the Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary ... region of North Carolina.
The DGA is guided by the principles of mutual respect, support, community, education, outreach, and leadership.
Membership in the DGA is available to all gender-diverse individuals (crossdresser, transgender, transsexual, intersexed and questioning), their significant others, and allies.
You may contact the DGA via:
Greensboro, N.C. &rarr Support for TV / TS / TG & family.
TransCarolina is the largets social / support group in the Southeastern USA, "specially designed for T-girls and those who love them." TransCarolina also maintains this (Yahoo) Discussion Group.
See also the nc_transgenders (Yahoo) group: "Transgendered girls in NC and elsewhere. ... This group is for any transgendered girl, crossdresser or admirer living in NC, SC, VA, Tenn, GA, FL, and AL. We are a restricted group for the enjoyment and betterment of tv/ts/tg girls and crossdressers. ... We join the TransCarolina and other NC groups in monthly socials. ..."
Other N.C.-Based Transgender Groups:
- Equality NC
- It's Time North Carolina
- Legal Status of Homosexuality, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism in N.C.
- North Carolina Transgendered Unity (NC TG Unity)
- Phoenix Transgender Support N.C. Support network, discussions, programs, and referrals. PO Box 18332, Asheville, NC 28814. (828) 669-3889 9am-9pm.
- The Tarheel Transmen A social/support group specifically for FTM. Winston-Salem, N.C.
- tgcrossroads.org
- Triangle PFLAG - North Carolina - local "chapter" of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
- See also the PFLAG Transgender Network (TNET), focuses on support for transgender people and their parents, families, and friends; education on transgender facts and issues; and advocacy for equal rights for the transgender community at local and national levels.
- tgguide.com - North Carolina Transgender Resources
- Triangle Transsexual Support
- Tri-Ess: Support / social group for CDs & Significant Others:
- Kappa Beta, Charlotte, N.C. This is a very active group; here is more information, from the very nicely formatted and informative Kappa Beta web site:
"KAPPA BETA is a support group for people identifying as members of the "TRANSGENDERED" community and their families. Our membership consists primarily of male heterosexual crossdressers along with some wives or significant others. We do accept and support all members of the TG community, both female-to-male and MtF. We are a social and support group to help our members accept and become comfortable with themselves and their crossdressing. Kappa Beta is not a sex club or dating service and will not respond to solicitations.
KAPPA BETA is the oldest chapter in NC of the Society of the Second Self, or more commonly known as "TRI-ESS." We were founded in 1988. We are centrally located in Charlotte and have been serving NC and surrounding states for over 15 years and have a significant following in many areas of both North and South Carolina, and attract members from as far away as Virginia and Kentucky. We meet on the third Saturday of each month primarily at mainstream public hotels and gay/lesbian restaurants. Contrary to popular belief you do not have to pass or be wealthy to become a member. There is no age range that you must be in although you must be at least 21."
"Security and privacy are very important concerns for our membership and there is a screening process. We are particular whom we select for membership and those who succeed find it is worth their time. We do not collect personal information about our members. If you conduct yourself as a classy lady and present a positive image of yourself you may have what we are looking for. The ladies of KB present themselves in a lady-like manner and project a positive image of crossdressing to the general public. We are committed to showing the non-TV the true version of our lifestyle."
- Sigma Rho Delta, RTP area; somewhat "less active," currently
- Understanding Transgenderism and Transexualism for families, friends, coworkers ...
Some Advice & Considerations When Seeking Therapy / Medical Resources
I used to list considerably more information here; however, I recently decided (January 2007) to delete all but those for which I have personal knowledge! There are several reasons for this, but basically, it boils down to the fact that one should be certain - as much as possible - that their therapist (or other health professional) is licensed, qualified, experienced, and is actually able to write letters of recommendation for further treatment (hormones; surgery) that will be recognized and accepted by the medical community! In addition to checking with licensing boards (state/national, if applicable) via telephone or online, you should also ask your potential therapist/clinician, directly, regarding their qualifications, before making your decisions. Additionally, although many individuals are listed on multiple websites, in fact most of the time this is actually the same information from an original (single) source, that has been just been re-posted over and over, and is thus not independent, supporting documentation. It does, however by sheer repetition, adopt an air of authenticity/authority. "Caveat emptor!"
P.S. Here is some additional advice regarding Choosing a Therapist (echoed here).
Electrologists, Permanent Hair Removal (RDU / RTP Area)
- CorLase Permanent Hair Removal, Cary, NC. The CorLase web site is very nicely done, and contains lots of useful information. The third sentence on their main page is also very inviting, "Whether you are male, female or transgender [my emphasis added], my goal is to help you live without unwanted or embarrassing hair." Additionally, Dana Begley Combopiano seems to be very qualified, and she was very nice when my wife contacted (Jan. 2007) her by telephone to schedule our first appointment (consultation), for her bikini line, and my facial/neck hair!
Some additional comments/notes re: CorLase:
- Personal note (Jan. 2007), Victoria: Prior to scheduling our first appointment at CorLase (a consultation on Jan. 15, 2007), we had researched locally available hair removal services. My wife and I both especially liked Dana's web site, which included much information, including her history, experience and qualifications. After meeting her, we both found her to be very nice, and learned that she has numerous TG clients, and is very experienced (e.g., I found this information on the web, myself, describing how Dana was recently appointed to the North Carolina Board of Electrolysis Examiners by Gov. Mike Easley). I am highly confident that we will be very happy with her!
Post-script: As we have gotten to know Dana better, we find her to be both a highly skilled practitioner as well as a 'really neat' individual, with a special affinity/empathy for the transgendered community! I would very strongly encourage anyone considering laser and/or electrolysis treatments, particularly in the TG community, to visit her website, and give her a call !!
- Please refer to my Hair Removal Journal for a more detailed commentary regarding my experiences with CorLase and permanent hair removal!
- BodyLase Skin Spa, Cary and North Raleigh, NC. Personal note (Jan. 2007), Victoria: I know that several local TG/TS people have used BodyLase in Cary, NC. I contacted BodyLase by email, asking about their modalities, whether or not they have transgendered clients, etc., and promptly received this very nice response from President/Owner Karen Albright, who stated (excerpted here) that "Dear Victoria, Thank you so much for contacting us! We are always so happy to be able to help members of the TG community. I realize that this is a very stressful time for you and let me assure you, that BodyLase will be there to help and support you as much as we possibly can. We do have quite a bit of experience with TG clients and have years of experience with laser hair removal in general. In fact, we have done over 10,000 procedures, have 2 Triangle locations and have been in business for 5 years. My husband is our medical director so we are physician owned and operated. In addition, we have Nurse Practitioners on staff to provide you with an extremely high level of care. Most importantly, however, you will find all of our staff warm, welcoming and understanding. We feel honored to be able to share in our TG clients' journeys and have witnessed so many amazing transformations!"
- While we are very happy with Dana (CorLase, above), many of our transwomen friends speak *very* highly of laser technician / electrologist Dorendra Stilwell, LE, CLT, of Hairaway Electrolysis & Laser, Thomasville and Highpoint, N.C.; 919-442-9744; e-mail: hairaway@northstate.net. In addition to being highly skilled, Dorendra is reportedly very affordable, as well! :-)
- General Information:
Psychotherapists
- Samuel Allen, MA, NCC, LPC. North Carolina licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years' service to the transgender community. Expertise and extensive experience offering counseling and consulting services to FTM's as well as individuals who identify as MTF, TS, CD, TG, lesbian, gay, bi, pansexual, questioning, intersex, pre/post/non-op, partners, & families. Also provides consultations to employers, organizations, attorneys, schools, etc. Referrals for other services, including Hormone Therapy and SRS, if applicable. Located in the Raleigh-Durham NC area, with telephone counseling available everywhere. I offer face to face psychotherapy and counseling in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area ...
A personal note (January 2007): Sam Allen has been our therapist since mid-December 2006, and I highly recommend him! Please refer to the entries dated December 07, December 07-17, and December 18, 2006 in my Journal, for additional information.
Home: VictoriasJourney.com