Getting my Footing

I have led four meetings now as president of my support group. I am finally beginning to feel like I have some authority and have earned some respect.

The turning point was a couple days before the most recent meeting. As you may know, I work evenings and don't get to bed till 5am. That night about 1:45, a curse-filled tirade appeared on our listserv. This was from a frequent poster, but out of character, especially the length of the missive. She was going on about our most prominent local endocrinologist, and questioning the dosing habits of said doctor. The post was long and repetitive, and essentially accused anyone supportive of the doc's methods to be idiots.

Within fifteen minutes, I had a reply posted. I told her that she had made her point several times. That I don't have a dog in the fight, as I have never started HRT, but that the doctor is a friend of the group. That I don't question her right to dissatisfaction and even anger. However, if she cannot share her feelings with a civil tongue or without insulting her peers, then she would lose her posting privileges. Given no immediate second salvo, I was hopeful that this was someone having a bad day, and was now sleeping it off.

Early the next afternoon, there was a response. This time her ire was directed at me. She questioned why I supported this doctor. She wondered how I could be president if I am allowing people to see this horrible doctor. She said that I don't care enough to warn new transitioners away from this doctor. That is when something in me snapped. Maybe I grew a pair.

I wrote a long post of my own, sharing how I really never wanted the presidency, but as the last tran standing in leadership, I had it forced on me. This group's existence is way too important for me to walk away and leave it rudderless. I wrote about the many challenges that I face in my regular life, and that I get no reimbursement for this thankless job. I bit my tongue several times, and kept the message coherent and civil (no small challenge).

Later in the day, she quietly asked to be removed from the group. I won the battle without disgracing the office. I felt...presidential.

This was reiterated at the meeting. I decided to mention the event, as everyone had been reading it, and many had weighed in. Several supported the view of the banished party regarding the doctor's practices, but they did so in a tone that was respectful. Mostly, though, I was complimented on my tactful but forceful handling of the situation.

I even got to try out my new status at the meeting, when two members got into a shouting match regarding Trump and Clinton. I yelled over them to knock it off, take it outside or stop arguing about politics.

The only way I could feel more presidential is if I tweeted my order at them.