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.
For more information, contact:
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