This page tries to answer some of the questions you might have about the Diamonds group (for information about transgender in general, please visit the Terminology page or the websites linked on the Contacts page). If you can't find what you're looking for here, please contact us and we'll get back to you with an answer!
Questions...
- How do I join Diamonds
- How can I recognise the Diamonds group at a meeting?
- Is there a mailing list I can join?
- Who can attend your meetings?
- Are both male-to-female and female-to-male trans people welcome?
- What happens at your meetings?
- Do I have to come 'dressed'?
- Can I change at the venue?
- Is there a dress code?
- Can I bring my friend/partner/relative?
- Is there a membership fee?
- Do I have to come every week?
- Do I have to sign up in advance?
- I can't get there for 8pm, can I arrive later?
- I'm not 'out' - can I still join?
- Going out and joining a transgender group sounds quite scary... can you help?
- Can you offer help with dressing/make-up/etc?
- Can you help with counselling or psychotherapy?
- Do you ever do trips away?
- Why is your website full of pictures of pink and blue pandas?
- What are the washing instructions for the Diamonds pandas?
- How can I get more information?
...and answers!
- How do I join Diamonds?
One way is to simply turn up to one of our weekly Diamonds Central meetings! New members are always welcome and there is always a group member willing to help a newcomer and listen to any problems. See the events page for an overview of our regular events. On the other hand many new members start by making contact by emailing us) or by joining our Facebook group so they can say "hello", get a feel for the group and find someone to help them along to our next meeting.
We meet in the function room of the Carlton Arms (Carlton Way). The room has its own entrance on the left of the bulding and is separate from the main public bar on the right. - How can I recognise the Diamonds group at a meeting?
At our weekly meetings look out for one or more of our pink and blue panda table mascots - see pictures below! We try to make ourselves reasonably obvious, but if you're not sure (and don't want to risk walking up to the wrong group!) one of the very friendly pub staff should be able to point us out to you. You can also contact us beforehand if you'd like someone to meet you somewhere specific and take you into the pub to the Diamonds table.
Rupert
Katie
Lulu
Sheila
Mick
Awhina
Sam
Boris
Lulu (II)
Rose
Tally
Mona
???
Jo
April
Kim Bolton
Dexter
Sailor
Xena
Hugh
Jamie
Daisy
Anthea
Siân
Titus
Perky
Alba
Grace
Piglet
Lorna
Trudy
Aoura
Minim
Rachel
Jordan
Jesse-Bear
Lev
Princess
Maco
Amanda
Mona (II)
Doris- Is there a mailing list I can join?
No, but we do have a secret Facebook group to discuss trans-related issues, organise events, make announcements and so on.- Who can attend your meetings?
Our meetings are open to anyone with an interest in transgender issues, and our membership is very varied. You may be a transgendered person, transsexual, transvestite, crossdresser, a friend or a partner, looking for help, advice, friendship or maybe just a social scene. Maybe you're considering coming out for the first time, unsure about your feelings or confused about the antics of your flatmate or partner. We recognise that are all different, and believe that everyone is valid and valuable. Please note that Diamonds is not a dating club - if you are looking for transgender dating then this is not the club for you.- Are both male-to-female and female-to-male trans people welcome?
Yes! While the majority of our current membership is made up of transwomen (male-to-female), we do have transmen (female-to-male) members and all are very welcome!- What happens at your meetings?
That depends on the meeting! Please see the events page for an overview of our regular meetings. Our main weekly meeting is a chance to socialise and meet friends, support each other, and discuss trans-related (and non-trans related!) issues. In the past we have also held other events such as quiz nights, bring-and-buy and guest speakers - any ideas and contributions welcome!- Do I have to come dressed?
No. Many members do but others just come in their normal clothes. Some new members start by coming along in 'drab' for their first meeting before turning up dressed to subsequent meetings.- Can I change at the venue?
The room we use at the pub has its own toilets (separate from those for the main bar) which can be used to change in, although sometimes there are one or two other people around also using them.- Is there a dress code?
No, but please remember that our regular meetings take place in a mainstream public venue, so some sense of sanity must apply!- Can I bring my friend/partner/relative?
Yes! Anyone with a interest in transgender issues is very welcome to attend, whether or not they identify as transgender themselves, and non-trans friends, relatives and partners do regularly attend.- Is there a membership fee?
No. We actually have very little expenditure so while donations towards the costs of running the group are always welcome they are entirely voluntary!- Do I have to come every week?
No - you can come to as many or as few meetings as you like, with absolutely no pressure to return!- Do I have to sign up in advance?
There's no need to sign up in advance for most of our meetings, although for some events such as the dining club we may need to know numbers in advance- I can't get there for the start, can I arrive later?
Yes! People turn up for our weekly meetings at any time between 8 and 10pm or later, with a significant number only arriving for the late shift!- I'm not 'out' - can I still join?
Yes! You don't have to come 'dressed' to any of our meetings, and if you want to just come and sit on a separate table near us that's fine too! You can also just join our secret Facebook Group forum if you're not able to attend any physical meetings, or if you'd like to meet up with just one or two members in a private or less public environment that our regular meetings please do get in touch as there are always members who are more than happy to help!- Going out and joining a transgender group sounds quite scary... can you help??
A good way into the group is to join the Facebook Group, which allows you to say hello, get a feel for the group and find someone to go to a meeting with.- Can you offer help with dressing/make-up/etc?
Members who have been dressing for a long time or who have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning to their preferred gender are always happy to offer advice and practical tips on things such as make-up, dressing, where to buy clothes and so on, and we hope it will also be possible to organise practical sessions at some of our evening meetings. We also have close links with a number of local beauty and dressing salons including Ginny's Trans G Salon and Susan's Pink Butterfly Mobile Beauty Salon. See here for some of our recommendations!- Can you help with counselling or psychotherapy?
Although as a self-help group we try to support each other as best we can, we can't offer any kind of professional counselling and if you are struggling with gender-related mental health or other issues you should contact your GP or a trained professional. We will of course try to help as best we can and some of our members may be able to provide advice or recommendations on where to go for help. See also our health links page.- Do you ever do trips away?
Yes! Groups from Diamonds have attended national transgender events such as Manchester Sparkle, and in addition some members have organised their own trips and holidays away together. See the Special events section of the Meetings page for anouncements of any upcoming trips or other special events.- Why is your website full of pictures of pink and blue pandas?
The Diamonds panda table mascots are designed to help newcomers to recognise the group. Many people, especially if they are not 'out', prefer not to have photos featuring them put online, but fortunately our celebrity pandas are rarely camera-shy!- What are the washing instructions for the Diamonds pandas?
That's a good question! The care instructions on the yarn said wash at 40, do not iron, do not bleach, cool tumble-dry, and can be dry-cleaned. That's before the yarn has been transformed into a panda though! A bit of googling suggests that the general consensus on washing soft toys is that they can be put in the washing machine on a low temperature, preferably inside a pillow case (tied up with a hair tie or something) for protection. Tumble drying seems to be not recommended - so probably best to drip-dry (out of direct sunlight if possible).- How can I get more information?
If you haven't found what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us, or join the Facebook Group and ask your question to the combined knowledge and experience of everyone on the forum! - Is there a mailing list I can join?