Support networks

A variety of support networks exist for patients undergoing gender transition.

·        The Gender Trust offers information and support to transsexual, gender dysphoric, and transgender people. The trust is a registered charity established in 1990 and is unique in the areas of work it covers (http://www.gendertrust.org.uk/)

·        The FTM Network is an informal and ad hoc self help group, open to all female to male transgender and transsexual people, or those exploring this aspect of their gender (email: s.t.whittle{at}mmu.ac.uk)

·        The Beaumont Society was founded in 1966 and is the world’s largest membership organisation for crossdressers, transvestites, and transsexuals. Support is also offered for wives and partners (http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/)

·        Mermaids is a support group for gender variant children and teenagers. Their aim is to support children and teenagers up to the age of 19 who are trying to cope with gender identity issues. They also offer support to parents, families, carers, and others (http://www.mermaids.freuk.com)

·        CHANGE is a support group run by volunteers. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for those with transsexual syndrome (http://members.aol.com/ts1change/homepage.htm)

·        GIRES (Gender Identity Research and Education Society) offers support to all family members with a close relative with gender identity disorders (http://www.gires.org.uk)

·        Press for Change is a political lobbying and educational organisation, which campaigns to achieve equal civil rights and liberties for all transgender people in the United Kingdom, through legislation and social change (http://www.pfc.org.uk/)

·        Naz Foundation International is an organisation set up to help kothis physically and medically (http://www.nfi.net)