Our meetings are reserve for those who consider themselves
transgender, anyone who is in a relationship with a transgendered person
(family, spouse, therapist or friend) and anyone who provides service to
the transgendered community (doctors, therapists, vendors, etc.)
For security purposes, we do not publicly cite where we
meet on the website. If you are interested in attending a meeting, email,
write or contact the Tennessee Vals and tell us about yourself (why you
want to come). Someone will get back with you soon afterward and will pass
along directions to the meeting place.
The Tennessee Vals have a voice mailbox to receive phone
calls. Leave your name, phone number and appropriate calling times and
instructions and someone will call you back.
We understand your needs for privacy and will work with
you as best we can. We can email you all the information you need, if you
would rather not receive mail by post or a phone call.
No, we keep our mailing list private and only Vals Board
Members are allowed to see the list.
We always meet on the second Saturday of each month at
7pm unless otherwise specified in the meeting schedule (listed in the monthly
newsletter and online). We will occasionally have extra group outings during
the month. Check the newsletter for announcements of these outings.
The Tennessee Vals do cancel meetings in winter months
if weather conditions are very bad.
Yearly membership is $25 for singles and $35 for couples.
A membership will get you a monthly newsletter mailed to you and a discount
on door fees at the meeting. Door fees per meeting are $5 per member, $7
per member couple. Door fees are $10 per meeting for non-members and $5
for non-member couples. Your first Vals meeting is always free. A newsletter
subscription only is $10 per year.
Yes, we have two locking bathrooms that are suitable to
change clothes and do makeup or whatever else you need to dress.
No.
Generally, meetings are social gatherings up until around
8pm. Some members chose to have a discussion circle separate from the meeting
space where they can talk about living full time as a transgendered person.
Around 8pm, the general meeting is called to order, announcements are made
about news and upcoming events of interest to the transgendered community.
Then the meeting program begins and goes an hour or so. Afterwards it is
a Vals tradition to go out to enjoy conversation at a local nightclub.
The Tennessee Vals membership is comprised of a diverse
group of people from many backgrounds, ethnicities and careers. We have
members from the entire gender spectrum, from crossdressers to post-operative
transsexuals, and all sexual orientations. We have provided support for
female-to-male transgenders.
The Tennessee Vals have members of all sexual orientations.
Gender identity is a separate thing from sexual orientation.
You can use an alias at the meetings, a femme or male
name and reveal as much or as little about yourself as you feel comfortable.
If someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, just say something
like "I'm sorry, but I'm not comfortable telling you that about myself."
The Tennessee Vals do not have a developed program to
meet new people one-on-one. If you feel that you need to meet someone to
discuss transgender issues before you come to a meeting, call, write or
email us and ask if anyone is available for a one-on-one meeting. In general,
Vals members prefer to meet new people in public spaces for their own safety.
Call, write or email and ask if anyone is available. Give
plenty of notice before you come and perhaps someone will be able to meet
with you.
The Vals maintain a list of Nashville medical professionals
that should be able to help you. Call, email or write the Vals to get this
list. Our resource listing for other Tennessee cities is not as comprehensive.
In general, anywhere you please. Our money is green, not
pink. Treat sales staff with respect and you will be just fine. Some places
will even make special arrangements if you want to try on clothes. Any
of the major retail areas in Nashville are fine places to shop.
We're not going to endorse places to get makeovers or
transformation services on this web site. If you are interested in such
services, call, write or email requesting the information and we will pass
it along.
The Vals list all gay/lesbian/bi/trans friendly nightclubs
on the Resources web page, http://www.transgender.org/tg/tvals/resource.htm.
Yes, in general most of the Vals have been all over Nashville,
to many different places and have never had a serious problem. The best
thing you can ask yourself is "Do reasonable, adults gather here?" If the
answer is yes, then the place is probably safe.
Metro Police have had some training, conducted by the
Vals themselves, about transgender issues. If you should encounter the
police, don't try to deceive them. Instead, tell them exactly who you are
and tell them your transgendered.
Tennessee Vals is not intended to be a dating service.
If you're interested in a relationship with a transgendered person, try
the local nightclub scene or the personal ads.
The Tennessee Vals maintain a list of local support groups
in the southeastern United States at http://www.transgender.org/tg/tvals/others.htm.
For a listing of support groups nationwide and worldwide, go to the IFGE
homepage at http://www.ifge.org