Family members, in particular wives and partners of crossdressers known collectively as SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, are welcomed into the transgendered support groups and frequently have special meetings of their own to address their needs. More recently there has been an increase in couples groups where the activities center around the crossdresser and his significant other. But for the most part support groups cater to the needs of the crossdresser and transsexual.
The question that comes up is how should support groups continue to support significant others who may no longer be in a relationship that allows them to feel comfortable attending gender meetings. In others words, when a couple breaks up, the crossdresser still has his support group, but the significant other may feel reluctant to continue attending gender activities alone.
Although she may feel comfortable attending an occasional SOS meeting, particularly designed just for significant others and partners, this may be somewhat limiting to her interests and needs. In all probabilitiy, she has already established friendships with other members of the support group who are not significant others and may even have found it very rewarding to attend support group activities.
Thus, gender groups have to find a way to allow for the continued participation of significant others, if they wish, to feel comfortable and still feel welcome. Keeping significant others happy should not be limited to those who are in a significant relationship.
(This article originally appeared in Devil Woman, the newsletter of the Diablo Valley Girls.)