(Scroll down to see about support groups for transgender coming out in marriage and committed intimate partner relationships).
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Many partners of someone coming out trans have been contacting me (Shannon Batts, in the purple hair) needing more support than a book or a hotline. Residents of OR and CA can apply to the Spouses Group held virtually. Just email me (see "connect with Shannon" at top of the website) to inquire about a prescreening phone call. Consider being extra kind and patient with yourself and others. The pandemic as well as world events and catastrophes have amped up the stress on most of us, many grief stricken, many disabled by Long COVID. That's just the background. You and your relationship still need care -even more so with that level of background. Start seeing your relationship as a garden that can be intentionally cared for every day with love. Being part of a support group helps not just the one person-but the relationship they are in. This is especially important if you or your partner aren't out to anyone yet. Groups can give you that place to be your authentic self, express your feelings and dreams, and figure out how to navigate through the hard parts. I especially like that they transform isolation into community. Come expand your resources, community, and your hope for nurturing your safe place to land. |
GROUPS
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SPOUSES Group, Oregon meets online via Zoom for eligible Oregonians from anywhere in the state of Oregon. SPOUSES Group, California meets online via Zoom for eligible Californians from anywhere in the state of California. These groups may be combined. COUPLES Group Spouses Group opens the door to apply to join Couples Group-where spouses and their partners who are interested join a group of similar couples to further support the growth of the relationship through transition, and building a supportive community of similar families. This few week series is for OR or CA couples that have a cis partner previously or currently attending Spouses Group and is an exclusive perk of being in Spouses and in a mutually supportive relationship. This community building group is to grow calmer and closer as a couple and connect to others where you can be totally your true selves. Gems of Gottman relationship research and relationship success strategies are discussed as needed. After the initial series of Couples Group, couples may be invited to register for the Advanced Couples Group. This group had a fabulous reunion at our beach retreat. More resources coming soon for spouses of partners coming out transgender in the relationship all across the USA and beyond.
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SPOUSES' Group for Oregonians and Californians is active and ongoing for when your partner comes out to you as transgender, non binary or questioning gender, and you want a place to talk in person with other supportive spouses who are going through similar things as you.
Hello Spouse! Are you a cisgender (your gender that you were assigned at birth is the one you still identify as) spouse of a partner who came out to you as transgender, or nonbinary? Maybe your partner announced that they don't know what their gender is but they do know it is not the one assigned at birth. Perhaps your partner is questioning their gender. Do you want to find a way forward together in a mutually supportive relationship? When your partner comes out as transgender or nonbinary, it's not easy finding supportive resources for you as a couple to make it through the transition connected and moving forward together. Now you found some!!! Spouses Group, a support group with a professional leader (guess who?), is more than a group-it is a positive community that understands the mixed feelings in being the cisgender spouse of someone questioning gender. You have your own transition too! Spouses Group provides an opportunity for members to move through grief if there is some, all the while remaining supportive of their partner. Spouses Group also inspires ways to honor and celebrate yourself, and your relationship when you are ready. Spouses Group members can drop in whichever weeks they wish to join the meeting and when ready to stop coming to the group, move on over to the Graduates list to be notified of new offers or resources. Spouses Group members create a community of caring, some sprouting in person friendships, and family gatherings outside of groups. If you can manage a confidential space at your location (members have even gone to their car for privacy!) to log on for online video group meetings, contact Shannon for the registration phone call that will fill you in on what is required to start Spouses Group. Group fees are by donation, suggested $25. Read the BLOG post on the supportive Spouses' Group, who gets in and how, what does the group focus on here: https://relationshipgardening.com/blog/transgender-coming-out-in-marriage-spouses-group |
