Trangendered people are no strangers to pain and adversity. Yet, often, pain is what leads us to growth and paradoxically, joy.

This summer members of Des Moines’ local transgendered support group, TransformationsDsm, have struggled with the deep pain of losing a beloved member. One of our founders, and our facilitator, Jeff Lanman, took his life.

Jeff was a remarkable human being. From the first moment I met him, I knew he cared for and accepted me. I was not alone, almost every member has said as much. He was deeply committed to making the group a safe and supportive place for transgender people. He met everyone where they were. Unlike so many groups, ours was a group open to anyone: FTM, MTF, pre- post, and non-op, crossdressers, etc. Many were “out” but Jeff was very respectful of those who were not, going to great length to insure their comfort.

Just as his life touched and changed so many of us, and so did his death. For some, it brought home the realities of being trans, of being part of a group with a higher suicide rate than combat vets. For others it was a wake up call. Jayden, a long time friend of Jeff’s, was unequivocal, “I will not let another trans person die.”

For the entire group, Jeff’s death and the turmoil it left in its wake has been a time to reflect. We have spent many hours discussing the group, what Jeff would have wanted to see done, and how his untimely demise motivated us to reach out to each other in new ways.

It is from this pain that growth has come. At our August meeting transformationsDsm voted unanimously to become Transformations Iowa, a state wide support and outreach organizations for transgendered people. We will continue to love and support each other locally as Jeff taught us. But we will now also be reaching out, online and in person, to people all over Iowa.

As remarkable as he was, Jeff was but one of many in the local Trans community. They all defy the stereotypes that critics cast of us as a group. We are a witty, lively, lovely collection of human beings who have shown great courage and wisdom by finding our true selves and living everyday of our lives honestly. I am incredibly pleased to be able to introduce this group to a larger audience.

We are working on a stronger web presence and currently have members developing pages on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Jayden (the transgender outreach coordintor for the Center) is another availbe contact person for this group.

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