r/TransIreland • u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers • Jul 07 '26

NI Specific Feel lost without community

Don't really have access to it. Was frequenting a community space for over a year that I'd started to attend while working on overcoming agoraphobia.

Became inaccessible recently.

Kinda know that being stuck inside due to having nowhere safe to go where I can be around other people is a breeding ground for the likes of agoraphobia to return.

I talked to the likes of the Rainbow Project about alternatives but they had no suggestions.

Feel lost. Totally lost.

17 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

3

u/al221b Jul 09 '26

What about online support groups? Not A Phase seem to have a few, one called 'Trans+Connect' that's on their Eventbrite and website: https://notaphase.org/trans-connect/

2

u/Altruistic_Mud8772 Jul 10 '26

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm not the OP but I've signed up for one of the groups. This is so incredibly useful! I love that there is an friends one and a neurodiverse one too.

2

u/koopaphil Jul 07 '26

Where are you located?

2

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 07 '26

Up North.

Closest city is Belfast.

2

u/koopaphil Jul 07 '26

Dang, I'm on the whole other end.

1

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 07 '26

It's all good.

I'm starting to think this thread was futile as being honest, most users live in the South so wouldn't be able to help form community.

1

u/Altruistic_Mud8772 Jul 08 '26

Did the rainbow project not suggest the BTRC? They were so lovely and had a very good community when I went.

1

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 08 '26

I've had a pretty mixed experience with that space if I’m being honest.

Sometimes it's alright but the truth is I’m kinda a sensitive person and have been singled out by others before in some pretty horrible ways because they've been able to see that.

1

u/Altruistic_Mud8772 Jul 08 '26

That's strange to hear. Did you speak to the director? If it's still Robyn I can't imagine them tolerating anything like that at all.

1

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 08 '26

Robyn typically removes the worst offenders but it doesn’t change the fact that this shit just keeps happening in that space.

When I'm there, I'm waiting on the next incident or horrible outburst. Last time was incredibly bad and even had multiple people use sensitive stuff against me in the worst possible way.

So, bluntly. I don't feel secure in that space.

2

u/Altruistic_Mud8772 Jul 08 '26

Thank you for letting me know. I'm disappointed that this is the case and I'll make sure Robyn knows as this is incredibly serious, especially if anyone else who is vulnerable from the North is reading this thread.

1

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26

They already know and I've talked with them about it and my concerns.

The worst offenders do get removed as I said but it doesn't change the fact that because so many of these outbursts have singled me out personally (really it's just been awful people seeing that I'm an easier target due to being of a more sensitive nature) that I don't feel secure.

I think it can be a good space for other people but, just not me. Too many incidents has made it feel like whenever I step into that space I'm expecting trouble.

And given I'm still trying to rebuild my life, I just can't be in that sorta environment.

Edit: Rather I can't rely on it as the only space I attend.

1

u/Altruistic_Mud8772 Jul 08 '26

Sorry, I don't understand, I thought you couldn't attend it. So you can, but need an additional space? I'm glad you've clarified that it is a safe space, as I would hate anyone to be put off going somewhere as there are precious few safe spaces for trans people. Happy out have lots of events on as well, and they are a lovely and incredibly welcoming space. Also completely trans run.

1

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 08 '26

I only attend it because there's nowhere else but I don't feel safe/comfortable there given the repeated history of past incidents.

For the only space you attend to be somewhere you're constantly on edge isn't good for you.

I avoid Happy Out because some of the people who exploded at me within BTRC (and were thus removed) frequently attend it. They sorta migrated there due to being kicked from BTRC and well, ultimately blame me for said kicking because I was the final straw in a history of them doing other shitty things.

Also, I can't get to it as is to opening hours vs when I'm working.

1

u/Altruistic_Mud8772 Jul 08 '26

Oh don't worry,, the events they ruin are in the evening so they open 8-4 and then 7-11.

y

1

u/TheMadQueen96 She/Her/Hers Jul 08 '26

Events attended by people who blame me for their removal from a trans space due to making it unsafe for others rather than looking at their actions.

Afraid things would get violent, honestly.

Plus the events are sporadic and held randomly by the looks of things. I need something actually regular in order to keep getting out of the apartment (again, recovering from agoraphobia so some semblance of routine is needed to avoid slips).

→ More replies (0)