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The Sunshine Club was founded in 1992 as a social, support, and educational group for members of the transgendered community, significant others, and allies. According to the Sunshine Club's Statement of Purpose, a transgendered individual, "is male or female, who identifies himself/herself to some degree as a member of the opposite gender." The transgendered (TG) community is incredibly diverse. It includes those who crossdress occasionally in private, persons who go out dressed as the other gender in public, as well as transsexuals who live full time as a member of the other gender. While male to female transgendered people are most common within the community, female to male transgenders make up a significant part of the TG population. 

Whatever our differences, however, we have all felt shame and isolation as a result of our transgenderism. By meeting with others who have had similar feelings and experiences we learn to focus on the many positive aspects of being a transgendered person, and learn to be comfortable in our own unique identities. 

The Sunshine Club holds occasional social events, as well as regular meetings on the fourth saturday of each month. Meetings are at a secure and discreet location. Space is available in which to change clothes and apply makeup, etc. Before the main meeting at 8 pm, the spouses and significant others of transgendered individuals meet to discuss issues of concern to them. During the main meeting we discuss general club business, socialize, and have refreshments. Sometimes we have a guest speaker or other special presentation. For many members, the highlight of the monthly get-together is the "Support Circle" held during the last hour. Each person present has the opportunity to speak for a time about their own accomplishments, challenges, or fears. 

New members are always encouraged to join. Membership is open to adults only, without regard to sex or sexual orientation. All personal information is held in strictest confidence. Before attending his/her first meeting, a prospective member is asked to meet with a current member. We feel that this meeting is helpful to maintain the security of the group. Since we meet in a public, neutral place, prospective members may feel more at ease meeting with a few people before attending a larger meeting for the first time. 

The club also publishes a monthly newsletter, "SunSpots." Dues are $25 a year, which includes a subscription to "SunSpots." Also of interest to prospective new members is our small, but growing, lending library to which members have access. The library has magazines, videos, and other TG club newsletters as well as books. 

As individuals, many members of the Sunshine Club have become active in other community organizations and activities. Since the club started, we have become more involved with the greater Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered (GLBT) community, as well as with the world as a whole. Some members are active with the University of Massachusetts' Stonewall Center's Speaker's Bureau to educate others about the transgender phenomenon and issues. Several members have become involved with the PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) organization as transgender outreach network or TSON (now know as TNet, Transgender Network) coordinators and educators. One of our members recently founded another transgender organization, "UniTy of the Pioneer Valley". Another of our members founded "It's Time Massachusetts," a political group advocating for equal rights for transgendered people. And yet another helped found the coalition group TAN (Trans Activist Network) which works for outreach, education, community-building and activism on transgender issues. Still others are becoming involved in political activities on the local, state and national levels. 

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