- What are Plume Support Groups?
- Who should join Plume Support Groups? Who will I meet in my group?
- What is the format of the groups?
- What kinds of topics will we discuss?
- What results do people see from attending a group?
- How do Plume Support Groups affirm my gender identity?
- How do I sign up for my Plume Support Group?
What are Plume Support Groups?
Plume Support Groups are a six-week series of peer support group sessions for people who are transgender and nonbinary. They are included in all Plume memberships. Each group is a non-judgmental and supportive place to engage with your community. A trained facilitator from our community will guide the conversation. The facilitator will share their personal experiences so you can get to know them better and feel comfortable.
Plume Support Groups are also an opportunity to work through the complex emotions and experiences you may have during your transition. From stress management to gender expression to coping with discrimination, support groups create shared knowledge that can help people feel cared for, nurtured, and seen. These groups can help people cope with issues like gender transition, relationship changes, and self-acceptance. They can also be a place where members are able to celebrate who they are and experience community connection and identity affirmation and gather trans-informed resources.
For those of us who are starting gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes called HRT or hormone replacement therapy) or other aspects of gender transition, having a safe place to talk about feelings and experiences is very important. Each group will consist of people who have experiences in common with you, such as people also taking estrogen, people taking testosterone, folks who are nonbinary, and more to come. Connecting with other trans and/or nonbinary people is a way to honor that time and your journey.
Who should join Plume Support Groups? Who will I meet in my group?
Whether you identify as nonbinary, transgender, gender non-conforming, MTF, FTM, transmasculine, transfeminine, agender, or another identity—you are welcome and wanted in Plume Support Groups. However you identify, we celebrate you.
One group member said, “The opportunity to be able to talk with other trans people that are in a similar place with HRT and transitioning has been invaluable and one of the most validating experiences of my entire time being out as trans.”
Other group members will be people who have plenty in common with you. Currently, groups include transgender and/or people using different types of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes also called HRT) such as testosterone and estrogen groups and nonbinary groups.
The six-week series is a great opportunity to build lasting relationships with fellow group members. For many people, it’s one of the few transgender and/or nonbinary-only spaces they’ve been in. Sharing your thoughts and feelings in this type of space is unique and special.
What is the format of the groups?
Plume Support Groups meet weekly on Zoom. Each group meets at the same day of the week at the same time. Over the six weeks of the series, the group members will talk about and share their feelings about different topics.
The groups use a respectful, facilitated format that helps everyone feel safe, comfortable, and heard.At the first meeting, the facilitator will lead a check-in with introductions and group agreements for conduct, listening, and speaking. Then, the facilitator speaks for a few minutes on the topic before opening up the discussion. Each person gets a turn to share, listen, and reflect on the topic.
What kinds of topics will we discuss?
During each series, your Plume Support Group will discuss a range of topics to give you a deeper understanding of yourself, your journey, and who you want to be.
Some of the possible topics your Plume Support Group will discuss include:
- Finding the courage to express your gender identity
- The complexities of coming out
- Coping with relationship change while transitioning
- Healthy ways to love yourself through the changes
- Changes to expect from gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
- Defining your own gender transition
What results do people see from attending a group?
Plume members who joined Plume Support Groups said they felt validated and understood. Folks who attended all six sessions in the series and participated noticed a dramatic improvement in their mental health. About 26 percent of people reported unhealthy levels of depression when they started the six-week series. After the groups, only 4 percent of participants still had depression symptoms.
The results that people experience can be transformative. One person said, “It helped me a lot in understanding myself and understanding that what I feel is not, like, abnormal and a lot of people feel like how I feel so it felt really good. I think it helps a lot.”
How do Plume Support Groups affirm my gender identity?
Plume Support Groups are a judgment-free space outside your usual circle of family and friends. People felt empowered by having grounding and affirming conversations with folks who genuinely care.
Group members can feel free to show up in the gender expression that feels right and comfortable. For many folks, their Plume Support Group is one of the first places they try wearing makeup, clothes that they like, or even using their preferred name and pronouns. One person said, “I really enjoy talking to the folks from my support group and also they promised they would help when I started wearing a wig. So I’m like, OK, I’ll keep y’all just in case!”
How do I sign up for my Plume Support Group?
If you’re a member already, message your Care Team to sign up for your Plume Support Group. If you’re not a member, you can get started by signing up for membership today. Then, you’ll be able to choose your Plume Support Group. If you have questions about Plume Support Groups, you can learn more here.
Wherever your gender journey takes you, Plume is here to be supportive. Connecting with a community of like-minded folks can nurture your heart and mind. Find your people and let us cheer you on as you answer life’s big questions about yourself.
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