The following is a list of support groups in the East North Central States. For support groups grouped by Census Division, see Support groups in the United States.
For support groups outside the United States, see Support groups.
Disclaimer: Listings are for information purposes only and do not constitute recommendations by T-Vox. All websites listed here are outside of our control; T-Vox is not responsible for their content.
Illinois
Southern Illinois Transgender
Website: http://www.freewebs.com/transgendersupport/
Non-profit, non-sexual support group for all Transgender, genderqueer, gender-nonconforming, and intersex people. Partners, family members, caring professionals, and all who support freedom of gender expression are also welcome.
(This group is not currently meeting but is looking for a facilitator.)
Champaign/Urbana
Chi Upsilon Iota chapter – Tri-ess
PMB363
1717 W KIRBY
CHAMPAIGN IL 61821-5507
217-637-1343
Email (Rae): through website
Website: http://cui-triess.org/
Outpost Transgender Group Champaign/Urbana
IL
217-359-5113
Email: bridgett@prairienet.org (Elizabeth Bridgett)
A confidential discussion/support group focusing on gender and Transgender issues. Meetings once a month, interview required.
T*SO Champaign/Urbana
IL
217-328-4469
Website: http://www.prairienet.org/~star/tgso.html
A confidential support group for the significant partners of Transgender persons. Meetings once a month; phone interview required.
Chicago
Chicago Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men
Meets at:
The Centre on Halsted
3656 N HALSTED ST
CHICAGO IL 60613
Email: raybear@livejournal.com
Website: http://www.centeronhalsted.org/
Open to all Trans guys, whether you are non-, pre-, mid- or post-physical transitioning. It’s also open all sexualities, whether you’ve always been gay-identified and interested in men or whether you’ve never even thought about sex with a guy until recently.
Chicago Gender Society (CGS)
PO BOX 578005
CHICAGO IL 60657-8005
708-863-7714
Email: chigendersoc@aol.com
Website: http://chicagogender.com/
Social and educational support group. Meets on the second Tuesday and socials on fourth Tuesday and fourth Saturday each month. Professional referrals, business and social events several times a month, annual Miss CGS Pageant, picnics, mail forwarding. Renaissance affiliate. The Chicago Gender Society Support Group meets the second Saturday of every month from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Chicago Trans Guy Alliance
Email: transitionguy@hotmail.com
Open to all who were assigned female at birth but feel that that is not a complete or accurate description of their gender, and their friends, partners, family, and allies. Has monthly social gatherings.
Chi Chapter – Tri-Ess
PO BOX 303
WOOD DALE IL 60191-0303
708-383-1677
Email: info@chi-triess.org
Website: http://www.chi-triess.org/
Publishes: Newsletter
Social activities, a support group for wives and girlfriends, a help line, library, speakers’ bureau, and co-sponsor of Be All You Want To Be weekend. Meetings the 3rd Saturday of each month, annual family picnic, Awards Banquet, Christmas Party.
Genderqueer Chicago
An open community group, Genderqueer Chicago strives to create safe spaces for non-binary and gender-nonconforming people as well as those who are questioning their gender identity/expression.
Email: genderqueerchicago@gmail.com
Website: http://genderqueerchicago.blogspot.com/
Genderwork
Meets at: Bridgeview Bank building
4753 N BROADWAY STE 608
CHICAGO IL
Contact group facilitators for more info:
Laura Grimes, LCSW: laura_grimes@sbcglobal.net, 773-659-9207
Mason Kelly, LCSW: masonkellylcsw@aol.com, 773-972-3577
Website: http://www.genderworkchicago.org/
A support group for people who were assigned female at birth but feel that that is not a complete or accurate description of their gender. Meets on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Queer to the Left
4554 N BROADWAY STE 236
CHICAGO IL 60640-6046
Email list: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/queertotheleft
Website: http://queertotheleft.org/
Political group. Queer to the Left is a Chicago-based multi-racial group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, Transgender, and queer people committed to working in coalition with queers and non-queers to promote economic, gender, racial, and sexual justice. Meets the first Sunday of every month from 5 to 7 pm in the offices of COURAJ at the above address.
The Sunday Society
PO BOX 478850
CHICAGO IL 60647-8850
312-486-3125 or 312-252-7024 (Sheila L.)
Outreach and support organization. Meetings the 3rd Sunday of each month. Operate a message board online. Telephone interview or previous contact required to attend meetings.
T-Talk Centre on Halsted LGBT Community Centre
3646 N HALSTED ST
CHICAGO IL 60613
773-472-6469
TTY: 773-472-1277
Fax: 773-472-6643
Email: mail@centeronhalsted.org
Website: http://centeronhalsted.org/
A discussion group for people on the Trans/genderqueer/questioning spectrum to socialise, make new friends, and discuss various issues of interest. Held 2nd Mondays and 4th Saturdays of each month.
Elgin
Journey
ELGIN IL
Email: kastner.linda@yahoo.com
An open support group for those who are MTF, FTM, questioning or SOFFAs of transgender individuals. Meets every other Sunday at 2:30pm. Contact group facilitator for more info.
Hinsdale
Transitions From the Inside Out
HINSDALE IL
Email: transinside-owner@yahoogroups.com
Webste: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transinside/
MTF folks, FTM folks, and those questioning their gender identity are welcome. Meets once a month. Email for more information.
Macomb
Central Illinois Gender Society (CIGS)
Gender, Education, Advocacy, & Outreach for Central Illinois
Email: tylana@illinoisgender.com
Website: http://illinoisgender.com/
Also meets in other towns in central IL. Contact for more information.
Oak Park
New Spirit Community Church
542 S SCOVILLE AVE
OAK PARK IL 60304-1404
Email: karenhce@yahoo.com (Karen Heart)
Contact for more information.
Publishes: The Primrose
Peoria
Peoria Gender Society “Expressions”
Meets at:
Basement Preview Room, Peoria Public Library
107 NE MONROE ST
PEORIA IL 61602-1070
Support group for Transgender men and women. Meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.
Email: tmcoop@gmail.com
Rock Island
QC Group
PO BOX 1534
DAVENPORT IA 52809-1534
319-323-5492
Email: qctggroup1@aol.com
Meets in Rock Island, IL.
Washington
Central Illinois Gender Association (CIGA)
PO BOX 182
WASHINGTON IL 61571-0182
309-444-9918 (JoAnn)
Information on specific areas of gender dysphoria is available to members through our library system. Speakers provided to the general public on some subjects. Meetings are on the 2nd Sunday. Interview required.
Publishes: Monthly newsletter
Indiana
Indianapolis
Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA)
PO BOX 20386
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220-0386
Meets at:
Jesus Metropolitan Community Church
2950 E 55TH PL
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220-3534
Email: info@intraa.org
Website: http://intraa.org/
Hosts monthly support meetings, one for MTF-spectrum folks and another for FTM-spectrum folks. Meetings are on the fourth Saturday of every month from 3-5 pm.
Indy Boyz
Meets at:
Jesus Metropolitan Community Church
2950 E 55TH PL
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220
888-657-1854 ext. 3
Email: info@indyboyz.org
Website: http://www.indyboyz.org/
While JesusMCC graciously provides our group with space to hold meetings, Indy Boyz is not affiliated with the church. Indy Boyz is a peer-led social/support group for female-to-male Transgender people (FTMs) in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We have been meeting regularly since 1998. We began as small groups of two or three friends each, who came together looking for support from others like ourselves. Typical attendance at a meeting ranges from 15 to 25 people with equal representation of FTMs and SOFFAs.
Iota Chi Sigma (IXE)
PO BOX 20710
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220-0710
317-971-6976
Website: http://ixe-in.org/
Manners and common sense are expected of all at meetings. IXE is a supportive non-judgmental group for all persons honestly dealing with gender conflict. Meetings usually on the last Saturday of the month with a pitch-in. We publish a monthly newsletter with all meeting dates.
South Bend
South Bend Trans Guys
Meets at:
GLBT Resource Center of Michiana
1522 E MISHAWAKA AVE
SOUTH BEND IN 46615
574-551-9882 (Cole) – text or call
Email: abandon_life9056@yahoo.com (Cole)
For people who were assigned female at birth who feel that that’s not a complete or accurate description of their gender. Meets on the first Saturday of every month at 6 pm.
Michigan
Ann Arbor
Gender Explorers
University of Michigan
530 S STATE ST
ANN ARBOR MI 48109-1308
University of Michigan Student Union Spectrum Centre (3rd Floor)
Email: pajeho@umich.edu
Website: http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/resources/gender
A social and support group for transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, and questioning people. This safe, open, and affirming space includes discussion and fellowship. Trans-friendly family, friends, and significant others are also welcome. This group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month in the Spectrum Center.
To participate and to learn more, email PJ at pajeho@umich.edu.
Detroit
National Gender Dysphoria Organization And Support Group (NGDO)
PO BOX 02732
DETROIT MI 48202-0732
313-842-5258
Justina Williams, President Support/educational organisation for the gender dysphoric (transsexual) community, and crossdressers. We offer referrals to compassionate helping professionals and support groups which are separated as to sexual orientation. We also offer a discrimination committee. Meetings are held at a safe location.
Publishes: NGDO Key to Freedom
Flint
“Team T” Support Group at PFLAG Genesee County
PFLAG Genessee County/Flint
2474 S BALLENGER HWY
FLINT MI 48507
Website: http://web.archive.org/web/20120110080433/ http://pflagflint.com/
Email: pflagflint@yahoo.com
810-496-8302
2pm on the 2nd Sunday of every month. This is the Trans support group as a part of the regular PFLAG meeting. Refreshments at every meeting.
Flint FtMs For FtMs and Allies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flint.trans.spectrum
Website: http://www.transgendermichigan.org/chapter/flint.html
Meets at Wellness AIDS (downtown Flint)
311 E COURT ST (parking on 4th Street)
FLINT MI 48502
Wheelchair accessible. Dress as you please. Free condoms and lube available. HIV testing, counseling, and support services also available before 7pm. Needle exchange services available before 7pm. 7pm on the 3rd Friday of the month.
Contact flint.ftms@gmail.com 810-845-9734
Gaylord
Nu Lambda Pi
PO BOX 2322
GAYLORD MI 49734-2322
Email: Sandy & Carol at nulambdapi@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/nulambdapi/
Grand Rapids
I.M.E. Of Western Michigan
PO BOX 1153
GRAND RAPIDS MI 49501-1153
Social, support, and educational group. Mail forwarding. We have the services of a MSW social worker free of charge to members. Lectures and referrals. Monthly meetings and socials. Membership confidential.
Kalamazoo
Resource Centre Youth Group
629 PIONEER ST
KALAMAZOO MI 49008-1860
1269 349 4234
Fax: 1269 349 7490
Email: youth@kglrc.org
Website: http://kglrc.org/youth/
For GLBT folks aged 13-20.
Meetings are held weekly on Thursday from 7-9 pm. The location is kept confidential; in order to find out the location, please call or email.
Transcend
c/o CARES
629 PIONEER ST
KALAMAZOO MI 49008-1860
Email: transcend@kglrc.org
Website: http://kglrc.org/transcend/
Social support group for Transgender people and their friends, families, and allies. Meetings are held in the conference room of CARES on the second Wednesday of each month at 6.30 pm and the fourth Sunday of each month at 4.30 pm.
Lansing
Lambda Mu
Meets in Lansing.
PO BOX 503
CHARLOTTE MI 48813-9998
Email: sandrastewart@gendertree.com
Website: http://www.tri-ess.com/
Tri-Ess Chapter, for heterosexual male crossdressers. See “Society for the Second Self,” Tulare, CA
Petoskey
Northwest Michigan Gender Society
c/o Tricia Marie Benton
PO BOX 271
PETOSKEY MI 49770-0271
Monthly meeting, newsletter, partners’ support group. Interview before attending first meeting.
Publishes: Newsletter
Royal Oak
Crossroads
PO BOX 1245
ROYAL OAK MI 48068-1245
313-537-3267
Email: crtvmich@aol.com
Crossroads emphasizes friendship, support, and peace of mind of all. Formal membership of approximately 90 and an informal membership of approximately 250. Formal and casual social activities. Referrals to other organizations nation-wide, and to helping professionals in the Great Lakes area. Also investigate agencies, businesses, and organizations, and do considerable outreach work. Welcomes mature and responsible people.
Publishes: Crossroads Chatter
Ohio
Akron
Akron TransOhio
Meets at:
Fairlawn West UCC
2095 W MARKET ST
AKRON OH 44313
Website: http://transohio.org/
Meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 6-8 pm.
Cincinnati
CrossPort
PO BOX 1692
CINCINNATI OH 45201-1692
513-919-4850
Email: crossportcincy@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.transgender.org/crossprt/
CrossPort offers a variety of programs to benefit the Transgender community. This includes an extensive reference library, an outreach and public relations branch, a speakers’ bureau, and educational and referral resources for crossdressers and transsexuals.
Publishes: Monthly newsletter
Cleveland
Trans-Formers Cleveland
LGBT Center
6600 DETROIT AVE
CLEVELAND OH 44102-3016
216-651-5428
Website: http://lgbtcleveland.org/
Social support group for people ages 18-30. Facilitated by a licensed counsellor. Contact the LGBT Centre for more information.
Trans Support Discussion Group
Cleveland LGBT Center
6600 DETROIT AVE
CLEVELAND OH 44102-3016
216-651-5428
Email: jsinur@lgbtcleveland.org (Jessica Sinur)
Website: http://lgbtcleveland.org/
Meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30-8pm. Pre-registration is required. It is being run by Jessica Sinur, an intern at the LGBT Center. Email her for more information.
TransFamily Of Cleveland
CLEVELAND OH
Website: http://transfamily.org/
Monthly meetings.
Transformers
CLEVELAND OH
Support group geared towards people aged 14-24 who are either wanting to transition or are in the process of transitioning. Meets every Thursday at the Centre in Cleveland from 6-8pm.
Columbus
Columbus TransOhio
Meets at:
The Center on High
1160 N HIGH ST
COLUMBUS OH 43201
Website: http://transohio.org/
Meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 7-8:30 pm.
Crystal Club
PO BOX 287
REYNOLDSBURG OH 43068-0287
614-294-0287
Email: cc@stargate.com
An open support group providing a non-threatening environment for TV, TS, TG, FI, MTF, FTM, and significant others. Meetings the 4th Saturday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Peer support. We cooperate with neighboring organizations such as Alpha Omega, Paradise, Cross-Port.
Include a brief biography of yourself, tell where you heard about us. The phone will be answered by Luann or Carol or a machine, and all messages will be returned.
Publishes: The Crystal Chronicle
GenderScope
Meets at:
Kaleidoscope Youth Center
1904 N HIGH ST
COLUMBUS OH
Website: http://transohio.org/
Support group for Transgender, gender-nonconforming, genderqueer, and questioning youth ages 12-20. Meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8 pm.
TransOhio Youth
COLUMBUS OH
614-441-8167
Email: erin@transohio.org (Erin Upchurch)
Website: http://transohio.org/
Two new (as of April 2011) support groups for Transgender, gender non-conforming and gender-questioning youth. One is for ages 5-11 and one is for ages 12-17. Charge is $10 per session but sliding-scale fee is available. Parental/guardian consent is required. Email for more information.
La Fraternité du Loup-Garou
PO BOX 1031
HOLLAND OH 43528-1031
Email: packmaster@lagarou.org
Website: http://lagarou.org/
An alliance of Trans (assigned female at birth) leathermen.
Northside
Women’s Tuesday Night Group
4039 HAMILTON AVE
NORTHSIDE OH 45226-2601
Email: tng@cincytng.com
Website: http://www.cincytng.com/
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender women’s support group. Every Tuesday night from 7.30 – 9.00.
Toledo
Pathwaymass
PO BOX 23174
TOLEDO OH 43623-0174
Email: onpathways@aol.com
Accepts all gender-gifted individuals, crossdressers and transsexuals regardless of sexual orientation, and whether you were assigned male, female, or intersex at birth.
Toledo Trans Support Group
Meets at:
The Village Church
3992 MONROE ST
TOLEDO OH 43606-3842
Email: transohio@gmail.com
Website: http://transohio.org/
All meetings run from 2pm-4pm. The Village Church is at the corner of West Central Avenue & Monroe Street in Toledo, Ohio. Drop-ins welcome! Email if you have questions or need additional information. This support group is a collaboration between TransOhio, Equality Toledo and The Village Church.
Sheffield Lake
Alpha Omega Society
PO BOX 2053
SHEFFIELD LAKE OH 44054-0053
Email: info@aosoc.org
Website: http://www.aosoc.org/
Meetings second Saturday of the month. Attendance at a meeting requires the approval of a qualified officer. Membership not required to attend meetings, although meeting fee is higher. Publishes: La Femme Silhouette
Youngstown
Trans Valley
Meets at:
Mahoning Valley Pride Centre
1523 POLAND AVE
YOUNGSTOWN OH
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transvalley/
Encompasses all of the Mahoning Valley. All members of the Transgender community and their allies are welcome to attend.
Wisconsin
Madison
FTM Madison Group
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/madisonftm/
The Madison FTM/Genderqueer group is a peer-led, non-professional social/support group for anyone assigned female at birth who feels that that is not a complete or accurate description of their gender. SOFFAs (significant others, friends, families and allies) welcome.
(Most meetings are open to people of all ages. Due to the nature of some of our topics, however, there will be occasional meetings when people under the age of 18 will need parental permission. Members will be notified in advance if a particular topic is for ages 18+.)
Milwaukee
FORGE: For Ourselves: Reworking Gender Expression
c/o C Michael Munson
PO BOX 1272
MILWAUKEE WI 53201-1272
414-278-6031
Website: http://www.forge-forward.org/
Email: info@forge-forward.org
FORGE provides local social support, education and resources for those interested in issues around people who were assigned female at birth who feel that that is not a complete or accurate description of their gender. SOFFAs (significant others, friends, families, and allies) welcome.
Gemini Gender Group
PO BOX 44211
MILWAUKEE WI 53214-7211
414-297-9328 (voice mail)
An open support group for Transgender people, significant others, friends and family of all sexual orientations. Monthly meetings on second Saturday.
Publishes: Newsletter
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