"I am writing this letter in support of Another Way L.G.B.T community and support group. Since becoming a member of Another Way I have felt that I have been able to be more socially Included and have achieved this through Another Way supported me to overcome social barriers e.g. I took part in helping to organize Walsall’s first ever L.G.B.T pride event which happened this year in doing this I found that I was able to build some long lasting relationships within the community. Also I have been able to become a key member of the group which also gives me purpose and goals in life. I have a continuing problem with addiction that I am trying to resolve and have found that with the continued emotional support from the members of Another Way I am able to tackle this issue more easily. I have also made some long lasting friendships which I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t had the support of Another Way and its members. Another Way has also supported me through a very emotional time in my life when I got diagnosed with H.I.V the support I have received has been both practical and emotional and being more socially included I feel that my H.I.V status has become more normalised and have felt that I can cope with life more easily. Through Another Way I have also been a part of helping to promote safe sexual practices by taking part in sexual health outreach clinics within the community to hopefully encourage the well being of the L.G.B.T community within Walsall"

 

Christopher Edwards

​

 

"I am writing in respect of my membership of the Another Way L.G.B.T Support Group. My age is 56, and I am Transgendered, a state that can bring excessive social exclusion, and resultant depression. Having discovered the groups existence via a Website I noted the contact No and phoned up. Following an initial chat with another Trans Girl I decided to attend one of their regular Saturday afternoon meetings. My impression, which has strengthened over subsequent visits was of a friendly welcoming atmosphere within which individuals could be fully themselves in a mutually supportive and safe environment. Despite my being a resident of Birmingham, when I explained that no such similar meeting opportunities currently take place in Birmingham, my need for emotional support was taken on board and there was no problem about my continued attendance. Previously acutely isolated, especially at weekends I now have something to positively look forward to, and the socialisation has tangibly increased my confidence levels. As evidence of this I am going to be a volunteer with Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau. From my own experience I can affirm that this group has a positive impact upon those within the L.G.B.T Community."

 

Clair Chandler


 

"I am writing this letter in support of Another Way. l first came across Walsall men's health project as at the time I was experiencing some difficulties emotionally and mentally I initially met with Colin Morris who was the co-ordinater of Walsall men's health project. Since then Walsall men's health project lost funding for the group so I joined another way who have helped me too cope with my issues which affect me on a daily basis both emotionally and mentally. I feel that without the support of another way I would fee! isolated from the L.G.B.T community as I am an older gentleman and didn't have many social or support networks before joining another way. Through another way I have been able to actively interact with the larger L.G.B.T community within Walsall as I volunteer for sexual health outreach clinics that take place at various venues throughout Walsall. I feel more open to ask members of the group about various issues and they can also ask me to draw on my experiences as wellas their own."

 

David Boyce



"I am writing this in support of the Another Way Group. Sometime ago before I knew another way I was deeply unhappy. You see I was born a man, named Andrew David Mills and he was a horrible person. He smelt, didn't socialize and had few friends in life. The only good thing was his son and contact was limited. He had got to the point where suicide seemed like a valid option. He had always felt like a woman but was too scared to make that first step. Then he found Another Way through his friend Matthew Nolan who happened to be the chairperson of the group. Through them he found the courage to be himself, become her and I have never been happier. I socialize more, smell nice and have a much larger circle of friends who like me, so I am genuinely a much more pleasant person. I am also pursuing more time with my son which they are also supporting me with and I must admit I would not be this stable, confident or happy without their support."

 

Kimberley Kira Lea

 

 

"Another Way" is the response of its members to recent changes in the way that Walsall Men's Health Project (now Walsall HIV Team) provides services. Choosing to find 'another way' to organise and continue to provide the benefits that they had gained from the project for themselves and others as a third sector group, rather than see those benefits disappear. Walsall Men's Health Project has been established for over 10 years providing HIV/Sexual Health interventions to Gay and Bisexual men and their female partners. One of the earlier issues in providing resources, information and support to all members of this broad group, was the isolation and stigma felt by many men who for various reasons found they could not access the commercial Gay scene where much of our work took place. To meet this need we set up what was then called the Saturday Group. A group where men could drop-in, meet and socialize in a safe venue where advice and resources
where available that aimed to reduce their HIV risks. Over the years this evolved into a social group meeting three times per week that attacted men and women from many social and economic backgrounds, including members identi$ring as straight or transgendered and those living with HIV. The group also took referrals to help socialise gay and bisexual men with learning difficulties. As you can understand the culture of the group evolved quite naturally into a fully accepting and inclusive group through shared experience and support with many excellent reports of benefit from users. The group had its own keys to our premises and the most active members undertook volunteer training. Another Way is the only group that I feel I can safely refer HIV positive clients to without them being treated as different or risking their confidence. As my work still includes working in commercial venues I need volunteers to ensure my safety as a lone outreach worker, to act as a link into a community I work with, to help disseminate information and to help recruit the public for our community HIV
testing clinics we provide in partnership with the NHS. I still use Chris Edwards, Matt Nolan, David Boyce, Kimberly Mills and Phil Baker On a regular basis and I could not do much of that work without their help.
To this end I see Another Way as avital link into a community that is most affected by HIV, As well as vital in the social support of isolated Walsall residents living with HIV and would therefore, fully support any initiative by them that helps secure, improve or expand the group."

 

Colin Moris
HIV Team

 

A letter from a transgender person (Male to female) to their father

 

Dear Dad

 

I have been meaning for quite a while to have an open and frank discussion with you with regards something that has been an important part of my nature, since the time I was born, that is essential for my wellbeing and happiness.

 

I have struggled to find the strength myself to address this issue on a personal level and it has taken me a long time to find the courage to approach you as my father and discuss it openly as I am terrified that once you have been informed of my position your reaction will not be positive.

 

I have always felt very close to you as you have always been the person that I can turn to the most and receive support from. You may have already noticed that I have been different over the past few months and you may have a perception of what I am about to tell you.

 

Since my very early childhood I have always known that I was not quite the person I should have been. This feeling has only grown as I have. I am now at an age in adulthood that given me many years of understanding and with my growing maturity I have decided that ignoring what I believe is my true self will only fuel my unhappiness.

 

I have been living as a woman for the last 2 years who is going through the transitions for sexual reassignment as a Transgender person. I have been undergoing counselling through an organisation called Gender Matters in Wolverhampton during this time and have also made several trips to Nottingham to attend appointments at the Nottingham Gender Clinic as this clinic has the qualified psychiatrist who specifically determine if somebody like myself is definitely going through what I claim I am.

 

It seems to be going well and after a number of appointments with counsellors and psychiatrist I believe I am making very good progress towards my final goal of being who I have always felt that I am.

 

I have also over the last 2 years been going under the name Kimberley and have been addressed as Kimberley by all my friends over this period as they have accepted me as a woman.

 

I am using this letter to break this news to you as i lack the courage to do it in person and hope that this letter serves to break open this for further discussion. Please give me a call.

 

I have included the description of my condition below. The description is taken from Wikipedia an online Encyclopaedia .

 

Gender identity disorder (GID), also known as gender dysphoria, is a formal diagnosis used by psychologists and physicians to describe people who experience significant dysphoria (discontent) with the sex they were assigned at birth and/or the gender roles associated with that sex. Affected individuals are commonly referred to as transsexual or transgender. Evidence suggests that people who identify with a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth may do so not just due to psychological or behavioural causes, but also biological ones related to their genetics, the makeup of their brains, or prenatal exposure to hormones.[1] Estimates of the prevalence of gender identity disorder range from a lower bound of 1:2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium[2] to 1:200 in Massachusetts[3] up to as high as 1:160 at Grant High School in Portland, Oregon.[4][5] Research indicates people who transition in adulthood are up to three times more likely to be male assigned at birth, but that among people transitioning in childhood the sex ratio is close to 1:1.[6]

Gender identity disorder in children is considered[by whom?] clinically distinct from gender identity disorder that appears in adolescence or adulthood.

Controversy exists as to whether GID is a mental disorder.[7] Gender identity disorder is classified as a medical disorder by the ICD-10 CM[8] and DSM-5 (called Gender Dysphoria).[7] Many transgender people and researchers support declassification of GID because they say the diagnosis pathologies gender variance, reinforces the binary model of gender,[9] and can also result in stigmatization of transgender individuals.[7] Treatment for gender identity disorder is also controversial, as changes made are typically irreversible.[10]

The current approach to treatment for people diagnosed with gender identity disorder is to support them in physically modifying their bodies so that they better match their gender identities.[10]

 

Yours Sincerely

 

Kimberley x