About Us
BeingME is a facilitated, peer support, and discussion group for
transgender women, 19 and older, that helps members learn about and understand themselves,
while dealing with issues important to their transition and the challenges
they may encounter along the way.
We have been serving the transgender community in Orange County, California
since 2003. Prior to that time BeingME was known as PEAL, or "Persons
Exploring Alternative Lifestyles", and had been working with the community
for more than 20 years.
Examples of discussions in which we have engaged have centered around our
feelings of loss, rejection, victories, guilt, fear and societal acceptance
or denial of us. Although BeingME is not a therapy group, we attempt to
deal with issues concerning the inner development of the person, allowing
and encouraging self exploration during the transition journey.
We hold meetings twice a month. The first meeting is on the first Friday of
each month. It is a closed meeting, open only to our members so they may
share and speak freely about sensitive subjects in complete
confidence.
The second meeting is held on the third Friday of each month and is open to
friends and family of our members. It is not, however, open to those
offering goods and services to our members.
We offer a safe environment and an opportunity to make friends as well as
meeting others like ourselves. That said, BeingME is not a "sex group" or
place to "hook up". If that is your goal, BeingME is not for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Can I simply walk-in to the meeting or is there a process required before attending a meeting?
A. In order to maintain a "safe space" and the anonymity of the members, we require new members to attend a New Member Orientation/Prescreening meeting before joining our group meetings. Due to the risks posed by the Covid virus, our meetings, including the Orientation/Prescreening session, are presently held online.
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Q. How should I dress when I come to a BeingME meeting?
A. The choice is yours! If you are not yet comfortable going out in public "en fem", then feel free to
come in "male mode". Our goal is for you to be comfortable and transition at your own speed. Wear whatever is comfortable.
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Q. How old are the people in the group?
A. We have a wide age range in those who attend. Roughly 60% of our members are between 19 - 30. The balance range in age from their 30s up to and including their 70s!
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Q. How many people usually come to a meeting?
A. It varies from 10 to 20 or more people at each meeting. At the moment, our maximum seating is 24.
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Q. Can I bring someone to the meeting who is NOT transgender?
A. The first meeting of each month is a closed meeting for members only but for the 2nd meeting of the
month it is quite alright to bring a close family member, friend, coworker, affirming spouse or significant other who wants to
support you.
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Q. Is this a psychology group?
A. No - it is a peer discussion and support group.
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Q. What kind of topics are usually discussed?
A. We have a wide range of topics. We discuss anything of general interest to transgender women, such as surgery, therapy, electrolysis, name change, hormones, dealing with friends, family, employers and co-workers,etc.
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Q. I am not a transgender woman, but I would like to meet one. Would I be welcome to attend your
group?
A. No - BeingME is not a place to "hook-up". There are several places in Southern California to do that,
but this is not one of them.