Guidance for starting a lesbian support group

[cumbres]

I would like to get some ideas and recomendations about how to start a lesbian support group. Basically the support is for women to feel proud of being lesbians no matter what. This will hopefully take place in my home town, Guatemala City, Central America. We do not have any meeting places beside a couple of lousy bars which are not to popular and everything there goes aroud booze. The long shot is to also start legal counseling and have legal support. Also I have the idea of having a healthy lesbian hangout, where you can meet other lesbian in order to have friends, share and to improve self esteem. Have workshops, lectures, teather, coffee, tee, musik and respect.Most women groups here fight mainly for minorities like prostitutes, indigenas, domestic and street violence but straight oriented. Lesbians are rarely mentioned, less adressed. If any more info is needed, please, tell me and lets get started!!!!!!! Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marutidas]

OOPs, sorry about my previous post, I unfortunately didn't read it too carefully.
As for starting in another country, I dont know to much, I do pray you get the help you are looking for.

[Vanessa White]

Welcome cumbres! THis sounds like such an awesome, and needed, idea. I absolutely agree that healthy space is needed, bars just encourage some of the negative behavioral choices that base even friendships on being under the influence of some substance. Some of the ways local to me that gay and lesbian persons have gotten together in a more healthy social way, is to issue a newsletter/press release of sorts of activities, and have anyone interested meet at a location at that date and time. For example, meeting in a local parking lot on a Sunday morning to go for a hike on a local trail; meet to follow one another to a pride event; meet for a meal at a restaurant or each person in the group take a turn to sponsor a meeting in their own home. Locations can be a challenge so you may need to get creative. Good luck and hope it works out. I also forgot to ask: Are there safety issues regarding the local community/government that could make it risky for public meetings of any kind? I am ignorant to that issue in your home country so I was just wondering. Peace to you, Vanessa

[Jennifer5]

Welcome cumbres! Glad you're here!

[Zerbie]

Hello and welcome!

I had the same immediate question/concern as Vanessa. I am completely ignorant as to how safe it is for gay/lesbian identified groups or individuals to meet, in your area. There are parts of the world where such meetings are even criminalized. What do you know about your legal status in your city? That needs to be answered first.

[cumbres]

Well, first of all, thank you all for such a nice welcome and also for your helpful input. In Guatemala is legal to be gay. The problem as I see it, is the low selfesteem and shame glbt people live with. My main concern regarding the possible meeting, is if there come people to bug and look for trouble. To put an open add about a gay meeting....never happened before...maybe this is the way. But still, bet you the lesbians won't show up because this fear of being outed. Gay men are more relaxed...don't know why, but happens. Please, more ideas will be greatly welcomed.

[Jennifer5]

Do you know many lesbian women yourself... that you could start the group with?

[tdogg]

Welcome Cumbres, what a great idea! I'm not sure what to add at this point (long day, low brain activity), but I wish you much luck and if can think of anything substantial, I will definitely get back to you.

Glad you are here, please keep us posted on the progress on your group. Sounds like a great place!