Life in Transition: A New Private Group and Forum

[Martin Blank]

About a week ago, auntmousie approached Mae about a private area for trans folk. Mae brought me into the conversation, and I am honored and humbled to announce that, after some discussion and preparation, we have put together a subforum called Life in Transition. It is a place where trans people can go to discuss topics specific to their lives in private, without worrying about input from those who are not trans.

It is accessible only by members of the Life in Transition group, which uses request-based membership. If you are trans, please feel free to go to the groups list in your Control Panel, select the Life in Transition group, and click Submit at the bottom ("Join Selected" should be the default action). At the moment, it is open only to those who are trans, whether they woke up this morning and realized it or have been on the path for many years. For the moment, it is open only to those actually transitioning. We are still working on plans for allies such as family and friends, and we want that to unfold mostly as a decision of the trans community within RLF.

Because I am not trans, it is inappropriate for me to handle daily duties for this part of the forum. As such, though it is extremely unusual for a new user to receive elevated responsibilities, Mae and I have agreed that auntmousie should both lead the group and act as a moderator for the subforum. In her very short time here, she has quickly shown her ability to make thoughtful, well-written posts and engage in meaningful conversation. She has been no different in private communications. She will be the primary arbiter of what who can join the group and what is appropriate in the subforum. Please join me in welcoming and congratulating her.

Mae is also a leader and, as an admin, has full access to the sub and all the levers to keep things clean. I will have no active part in the subforum, other than taking care of overall admin duties to the extent necessary. Auntmousie has created the first post for the subforum setting some guidelines. She, Mae, and I will continue the conversation to help expand the opportunities for trans folk and their allies.

I hope and expect that this community will be at least as welcoming and understanding as it has always been.

[Rorschach]

You know, all the years of wishing and praying the forum would get the boost it so badly deserves, I honestly did not see this being it.

The newer additions to our group though are extremely welcome. Not just because they’re actively posting, but because they seem to be good posters.

Go well, trans friends. Good luck to auntmousie.

Although I suppose this doesn’t get me any closer into the ladies’ group?

[TeddyMarinaro]

Thank you so much auntmousie, Martin and Mae for providing a place like this. I'm looking forward to having a place to be accepted in this and talk about the next steps in our lives!

[auntmousie]

Although I suppose this doesn’t get me any closer into the ladies’ group?

Um... you might not like my solution... =D

[Rorschach]

Although I suppose this doesn’t get me any closer into the ladies’ group?

Um... you might not like my solution... =D

Ha!

I have a suspiciously large number of Halloween pictures of me in drag.

Yes. Yes. A ‘costume’.

[TammyJess]

I have a suspiciously large number of Halloween pictures of me in drag.

I'm calling 'Not Fair!'
You at least, get to wear a pretty tartan 'skirt' anytime you want to. Public or Not.

[BtEO]

I assume, much like the Girl Talk forum of old, this is not intended as a place to corral any and all trans talk? Just for when you really want to avoid input from outside that realm.

[Martin Blank]

That is correct. We are not limiting discussion outside of LiT. It is meant as a safe space for those who would like to discuss things out of public view. If people would like to discuss trans topics openly in public spaces, they are free to do so.

[auntmousie]

I hadn't even noticed the acronym.

This group is going to be LiT!!

umm... yeah. I'll be over here chuckling.

[Martin Blank]

We're all chuckling.

Except Rors. He's cackling. But he does that anyway.

[BtEO]

Am I missing something; I don't actually see a new forum after joining the group?

Also (and for some reason when I type 'lit' into the emoji picker this also comes up?)

[auntmousie]

I am insufficiently tech-savvy to know what would cause that, and will defer to Martin. I definitely added you to the forum.

[Martin Blank]

I was wondering why it was quiet. It should be visible now. I tested your permissions (something I should have done before) and could see it.

[BtEO]

Thanks. I learned from setting up an emergency Discord for my D&D group that permissions can be tricky beasts to wrangle.

[Martin Blank]

Can you confirm that it's visible to you, BtEO?