The Joy of Trans and Gender Diverse Peer Support
19 Jul 2024
Kai* came to TAPS (Trans and Gender Diverse Alcohol/Drug Peer Support group) hungry to connect with gender diverse peers, to be understood, and to participate in a safe sharing of experiences.
Kai could feel their alcohol use was slipping out of their control and impacting their mental health. They weren’t fully out about their gender diversity, and they felt isolated and lonely.
“I needed people to connect with where I could feel heard without judgement, and somewhere to hear others’ struggles, and connect with folk around that.”
But everything changed when Kai found safety and belonging in peer support at TAPS.
What is Peer Support?
TAPS is a free, confidential peer support group for transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse (TGD) folks looking to change, maintain or explore their alcohol or drug use.
Peer support is based on fostering community. In a peer support group, individuals use their lived experience to support others facing similar issues with empathy, understanding, and practical advice.
Participants often find that peer support groups are fulfilling due to their reciprocal nature. Sometimes, you may be leaning on your peers for support, but other times, you may be the one to help someone else.
TGD facilitators always lead TAPS groups. A sense of shared experience between participants and facilitators helps create a safe and supportive space for people to explore their relationship with alcohol and drugs.
As a peer support group, participants get to share the roles of serving and receiving, which is a beautiful and precious gift.
Kai
What Happens in Peer Support Groups?
Peer support involves meeting people where they’re at.
For some TAPS members, alcohol and drug use may be a tool to help them with authentic gender expression. For others, it can be an escape from loneliness. Being transgender in Melbourne can be isolating if you are not connected to community.
“There are people I interact with regularly who do not know about my gender experience.”
TAPS facilitators understand that participants use substances for different reasons, so they focus on lowering risks, rather than stopping use altogether.
The focus of TAPS meetings is not sobriety. Instead, groups talk about their day-to-day experiences. Discussions often centre around gender, family relationships, and boundary setting.
Alcohol and drug use does not exist in a vacuum and can relate to all aspects of life. TAPS provides additional support by referring participants to gender-affirming care services, family violence counselling services, or wellbeing checks.
Providing support for one another is always the end goal.
It felt really good to be accepted at face value, to feel like I belonged, and no one was questioning that.
Kai
Is Peer Support Right for Me?
If you’re curious about how your relationship with alcohol and drugs could evolve, or you’d like to connect with other TGD people to talk about your use, a peer support group like TAPS may be a good fit for you.
Kai's willingness to explore their alcohol use has deepened their desire to explore their gender experiences. They are excited to become a guide for others’ journeys while taking the next steps of their own.
“So much for me has changed since I started attending TAPS. My relationship to alcohol is beyond changed.”
TAPS meets on Tuesday nights fortnightly. To register, call our intake team on (03) 9865 6700 and ask about TAPS.
*Not their real name.