Tranz Guys is a Portland, OR-based inclusive peer-support/discussion/social group for those assigned female at birth who now identify otherwise, such as: trans, MTO, genderfluid, MTM, transman, genderqueer, affirmed male, boi, FTM, male, butch, two-spirit, bi-gender, Ag/Aggressive, transsexual, 3rd gender, androgynous, intersex, questioning and/or, etc.
In order to create a safe space for participants, our regular meetings are open only to those who are exploring or questioning their gender identity or who already identify on the transmasculine spectrum. For groups and resources for partners and family of trans-identified people, see our SOFFA section.
We meet on the third Sunday of every month at the Q Center @ 4115 N Mississippi, from 6-8PM. Meetings are always free.
If you are exploring the trans or gender variant experience and have been thinking about attending a trans group, come check out one of our meetings. We try to provide an environment that is welcoming and supportive for everyone. If you have lived and identified as trans, FTM, or gender-alternative for a while, this is a place where you can share your knowledge and experience with others and connect with people you can relate to.
The group has been meeting monthly since November 2006, and has been growing over the years. An average meeting size might be 15-25 people.
Meeting attendance is diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, and where people are at in transition or gender process. We value diversity and the experiences of all participants. We try to vary our topics and structure our discussions so that people can contribute to the conversation and get something out of it no matter where they are on the gender spectrum.
The group has volunteer peer facilitators but is also self-determining and will change according to collective input. It’s your group, so you can make it what you want. Some past meeting topics include:
- Body image
- Transition/post-transition
- Living outside of the gender binary
- Relationships and sexuality
- Medical and emotional health
- Gender presentation/”passing”
- Coming out
- Testosterone 101
- Chest surgery show and tell
Most meetings are structured with the first hour as topic discussion in small groups, and the second hour either continuing with the topic or moving to open discussion depending on the group’s interest. Part of the purpose of this open-discussion period is to give people the opportunity to ask pressing questions or talk about things they are dealing with at the moment. So in the interest of keeping our topic discussions focused, we ask that you hang onto these questions, ideas, or issues until we go into the open period.
In addition to discussions, we also have informational presentations and Q&A with guest presenters such as health care providers and legal professionals, and occasionally screen videos or have activity-based meetings. Meetings are usually followed by informal hang-out time at Amnesia Brewery, on the corner of Mississippi and Beech St.
Basic ground rules for our meetings are:
- Maintain group confidentiality
- Respect other members
- Take care of yourself
- Monitor your own participation
- Assume positive intent of others
- Use “I” statements
- Keep a sense of humor
- Use sensitivity towards others
We’re here to share our experiences and knowledge with each other. However, unless specified, no one in the group is qualified to give medical, legal, or mental health advice. This is a peer support group and is not meant to replace professional counseling or therapy, although we may be able to point you to some of those resources if needed.
Check out our calendar for upcoming meetings and other events.