The DC Regional Trans Ladies' Community

INTRODUCTION
Formed in 2011, the DC Regional Trans Ladies’ Meetup serves as the central trans-women group in the Washington, D.C. region for transgender women and those who support us. We welcome cross-dressers, bi-gender, gender-fluid, intersex, and transsexuals as well as their partners and in special circumstances, community cis-allies.
We seek to support and strengthen our community through social and educational events with an eye toward networking and personal growth while having fun in safe, secure, friendly venues. So, if you are drawn to express your feminine side and wish to gather with and meet others with compatible interests, we invite you to read further.


THE GROUP
The DC Trans Ladies’ core principle is to include everyone within the female transgender spectrum whose identities align with a physical, psychological, and emotional expression of femininity. We strive to provide a variety of activities meeting the interests and needs of trans-women. We are *NOT* a dating or "hook-up" site. To ensure the security, comfort, and privacy of our trans-woman members, we do not accept male admirers for membership nor do we accept individuals whose appearance does not consistently align as female. We do accept cis-female allies in very limited instances. Some of our events are designated private while others are public. Public events are open to all who wish to attend and are willing to appear and behave in a manner appropriate for such venues.

Our many social and educational events offer fun opportunities for socializing with new people, building friendships, sharing experiences, exploring and improving your presentation and style, and celebrating our femininity in safe settings. Most of all they provide you a place to be warmly accepted for who you are. Gatherings range from small private events to group excursions to larger mainstream venues, events, and outdoor locations.

For those just beginning to explore their femininity, many activities facilitate you discovering and perfecting your feminine presentation. To this end, we offer mentoring and support so that you develop the mix of skills and confidence necessary to comfortably and successfully express your innate femininity. Many find a “big sister” or a core group of girlfriends, whose advice and support can help you lessen the anxieties the many persons experience when 'coming out' in public settings.

We have found that it takes time and practice to evolve your presentation as well as to learn who you are; it is an on-going process. Our shared experience is that we gain internal poise and external confidence the more often we socialize in the public eye.
Our events are designed to provide opportunities to foster your growth and confidence. You will find our members willing to share a wealth of knowledge and our cis-gender allies who attend events can also provide invaluable guidance. These resources will be available to you at our events and on-line in our resource links and discussion forums.

If all this sounds right for you, join us, and take the important first step by attending one of our posted events! Your significant others and spouses are welcome to attend too.

First, please continue to read about the group’s details, so you know what is expected.

PRESENTATION
We want to address the issue of so-called “being passable” head on. Many of our events are held in the public domain. We do not restrict our activities to “LGBT safety net” type venues. As such, these events can be stressful to girls, particularly those who have recently “come out,” whose presentation skills are still in the formative stage.

Do not let the fear of whether you are “passable” become a barrier! In most cases, we all went through the “awkward stage” of opening that 500-pound car door that stood between our first trans event and us. Amazingly, we survived! Our events are inclusive—for those who can pass as well as accommodating those still finding their way to effectively achieve a coherent feminine presentation.


Gathering and socializing allows us to build community as we find our place on the gender continuum. Let your sisters help you as they were helped. Members also offer makeovers, fashion tips, and other types of support in learning how to better present in the real world. Collective assistance rendered by established members enables new ladies to more quickly learn key skills; this is how we progress during our formative years once we decide to exit the "closet". Note that if it makes you more comfortable during the early stages of being "out in the public sphere", trans-women are welcome to attend events dressed in male mode as personal circumstances and confidence dictates.

FASHION AND BEHAVIOR
This is not a group for sex, hook-ups, or fetish sexual expression. We don’t impose micro-management dress codes or enforce rules designed for the convent. However, we do assume our members to be intelligent, responsible people who will dress and comport themselves appropriately feminine for the venue and the type of event hosted.

When publicly en-femme, like it or not, we represent the transgender community to the public at large. As such, we are judged by what they see and hear: by how we look and by how we act. Should we appear in extreme fashions, reflect contradictory genders in presentation, or exhibit inappropriate behavior—we injure our cause and put our relationship with our venue in jeopardy. For this reason, the group expects you to dress and behave appropriately for the venue and circumstance. Should this not occur, the group reserves the right to ask for and, if necessary, enforce appropriate dress and behavior. If you have questions about an outfit or circumstance, please contact one of our organizers for advice.

NEW TO THE TRANS WORLD?
We recommend that you review our on-line message boards and discussions for topics and recommended resources that are relevant for just starting out or coming out. For example, if you are looking for trans-friendly makeovers, check out this resource listing on our site:
https://www.meetup.com/DC-TransLadies-Community/messages/boards/forum/8630192/?chk_51312359=on&t=1513523928099&forum=8630192&op=unpin
This is the forum to ask questions. You will find willing mentors and friends to guide and assist you.

MALE ALLIES & ADMIRERS
Males are not eligible for membership, however, our Meetup site permits non-members to review members’ profiles. Non-members, such as admirers or allies, may reach out to only those women who have indicated a specific interest in being contacted. Some trans-women are naturally drawn to a relationship with men, so some events explicitly include male admirers. Dinner, bar and club events listed here are public events designed primarily for trans-women to socialize with each other but opportunities do exist for non-members to interact with our ladies. It must be stressed that it will be your responsibility to conduct yourself appropriately at our gatherings. Failure to do so will result in our leadership team asking management to get involved.

SOIREES
Trans-women, their partners, and friends are invited to join us at our signature events, Soirees. Soirees occur at safe, approachable locations in the DC area. Come join us in a relaxed, comfortable setting for a few drinks while you meet and socialize with other women.


At any of our events, you are welcome to come in male mode. Upon arrival, introduce yourself to the hosts and you will be warmly welcomed.

NEW GIRLS
For those who want to put their toe in the water before stepping out into fully public venues, you can reach out to one of our leadership team to obtain informal support on public presentation "do's & dont's" or address specific questions.

Any support or advice provided is understood to be outside of and not a substitute for professional counseling.

TRANS-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS, BARS AND CLUB EVENTS
You will also be invited to join us for excursions to trans-friendly restaurants, clubs, and lounges with trans, LGBT+ and other groups to socialize and mingle. These events are scheduled throughout the week. Such events offer diverse opportunities to spread your wings and enjoy life as the person you are.




MEMBERSHIP
1.  Persons within the female transgender spectrum.  (The limited exception to the general rule is cis-gender females with relationships to members or are allies that provide important support to the community).
2. Your Meetup profile reflects feminine name or nickname.
3. Your Meetup profile includes a full-length or face portrait picture that reflects presentation as female *and* is not overtly sexual, fetish-oriented or blurred/distorted.  Alternatively, a tasteful female avatar is allowed, however, a picture of you is strongly encouraged and preferred.

OTHER LOCAL TRANS GROUPS
We support and announce other local groups’ activities as appropriate.

We hope you will join us on our exploration and journey into femininity!

To being you,
Michelle, Monica, Beth, and Alexa
Your Leadership Group