Significant Others Program

At Esprit we realize the difficulty our Significant Others face in coping with a transgendered partner in a committed relationship. How many young girls do you know of with a burning desire to spend their lives with a partner who wears their clothes? We also realize that the health of the relationship, as well as the mental health of the partners in many cases, depends upon the ability to smoothly assimilate this unusual behavior into the relationship. For this reason, Esprit demonstrates a fundamental commitment to our wonderful Significant Others and to couples. At Esprit the Significant Other Program is a fundamental part of the conference and educational program and this program is recognized as the best program of its kind in the country, if not the world.

Several of the scheduled classes are for Significant Others only. These classes are designed to ensure your privacy and comfort. We make every effort to provide a safe place to share feelings, ask questions and discover that you are not alone. These classes are generally "closed door" and are conducted with the understanding that what is said in the room, stays in the room! Our classes are led by professionals with many years of experience.

This year the SO Program has reserved a large and comfortable room for the SO's. This room is where all the classes will take place and is reserved before and after classes for SO's to rest, relax, and regroup.

Be sure and check the weekly schedule for the classes you are interested in! The program coordinator for this important part of Esprit is Lorraine (contact). Dotti Berry is an experienced relationship and life coach who has worked with the Esprit SO program in the past and she returns to facilitate this year's many sessions for SO's and couples. Her biography contains detailed descriptions of the SO program classes.

Special activities for this year include:

Oceanside Morning Walk (open to all)

Port Angeles has a wonderful walk that meanders by the ocean. Join us at the crack of dawn (7:30AM) for about an hour's stroll. Meet by the registration desk at 7:30 and let your feet do the walking. Lee, an avid outdoors person and a knowledgeable gardener, will join us on some mornings to talk about some of the flora that we'll see on our walks.

Chick Flick Frenzy

Loud music not your style, but you're not ready to go to sleep? Come on down to Room 248 (SO Lounge) around 8:30. We will have a relaxing movie night complete with popcorn. If you have a movie that you'd like to share with us, bring that along (DVD only, please). The only ground rule is the movie cannot be horror or war (blood and guts). All feel-good movies are welcome, as are really bad science fiction. Bring yourself and your sense of humor for this relaxed evening. (No movie on Friday evening).

A message from the Esprit Chairwoman

Esprit is not just for the transgendered but also for those of you that significantly share in their lives. It is therefore that we welcome you with open hearts and minds and will do our best to provide you with presentations and other events especially tailored to your needs. We want you to be in a position where you may, without trepidation, share your questions and experiences with each other and have the opportunity to develop nurturing friendships as well. Most importantly we want you to have fun and enjoy yourselves. If we can do anything that will enhance your Esprit experience please don't hesitate to let us know. Welcome to Esprit!

Love to All,

Jacqueline Allan
Chairwoman
Esprit Committee

A message from the Esprit Significant Other Program Coordinator

Esprit is a wonderful event for both the Transgender person as well as their spouse. I am very proud to be a part of setting up Esprit to include the Significant Other/Spouses/Wives in joining their partners for a week long event that includes classes, luncheons, music, dancing and fun for all. It is a week filled with hugs, tears, laughter and every other emotion that can be felt. I enjoy being a part of Esprit and hope you will too!

I feel that it is essential to make sure that the partners of transgendered people are taken care of. I hope you will find Esprit to be a safe haven where you can express your feelings and find lasting friendships and a community of SOs who are ready to lend support. If you need to ask questions or just want to talk with someone who as been there, please contact me. We all welcome you to Esprit!

Lorraine L. (a GG ["genetic female"] SO and wife of a CD)

Esprit SO Coordinator

Comments from Significant Others attending Esprit in previous years:

I had a great time. I am so glad to have other SO support.

D. Knudson, Clackamas, Oregon

I had a great time. I think Esprit is gradually getting better about handling the SO.

C. Pernaa, Auburn, Washington

I had an excellent time. I learned a lot. I made many new friends. I want to come back next year!! Thank you for making me feel very welcome. It was nice meeting other wives in the same boat. The immediate connection was like meeting members of your family you didn't know you had.

N. Coleman, Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada

I had a wonderful time. This was one of the most important experiences of my life. It deeply affected me. It also had a profound and positive impact on my marriage and the marriage was very good already!! Thank you for setting up the SO options.

S. Nelson, Spokane, Washington