Welcome at the TransSisters’ virtual home!
We are happy that you found us! Now that you are here, you‘ll certainly have a few questions:
Who are the TransSisters Berlin?
Basically, the TransSisters Berlin are a “merry bunch of trannies” (transsexuals, transvestites, cross-dressers and all others defining as trans* or transgender, as well as their partners and friends). The “original” TransSisters met in 1999 in the legendary (but no longer existing) Berlin transgender club “Carola’s Transentreff”. In 2001, they started a regular meeting open to all trans-people and their dear ones. This open meeting (“Stammtisch”) was especially meant to offer a safe and welcoming place for trans-people venturing out for the first time, as well as a place to meet like-minded friends. Since the meetings always take place on a Friday night, they soon became known as “Freitagstreff”.
This was 15 years ago, and a lot has happened since then: People came and went (and many stayed!), we have constantly grown in numbers, we have changed our location several times (for different reasons), and instead of once a month, we now meet twice a month. However, the basic idea is still the same: The TransSisters offer a regular, friendly meeting for all trans-people, newcomers as well as people who have been with us for a very long time, their partners and friends. People come to us from all over Berlin, all over Germany, and even all over the world (we have had visitors from as far as Australia!). Our meetings are not “organized” (no pre-defined topics, no club memberships or anything like that). We just sit, chat, meet “old” friends and make new ones, and enjoy our lives as transgender!
What we are not:
We are not a classical support group. But of course you can pick up useful advice at our meetings!
How can I meet them?
Where:
The TransSisters’ meetings take place in our “real-life living room”, the most charming Bar Voyage, which is situated in a quiet side street in Berlin’s popular Nollendorf quarter. Bar Voyage is a licensed smokers’ bar (for this reason, admittance is only for 18+), but for us, half of the place is smoke-free. The lovely couple José and Hans-Otto run this friendly and cosy place. Great for us, it also offers a changing room, and, in the summer, the opportunity to sit outdoors.
When:
The TransSisters’ meetings take place EVERY second and last Friday of the month (please check the current dates on the first page of our website).
People start to arrive at around 8 pm, and the evening ends when the last person leaves the bar (far after midnight). Attendance usually varies between 15 and 50 people a night (but we have also counted 70 at occasions).
Who:
Everybody who is trans* or has no problem with the topic trans, is welcome to attend our meetings. The only thing we expect of our guests is to treat the other guests respectfully.
While we cannot promise that everyone at our meetings will understand or speak English, some certainly will. If you feel unsure, just ask for me (Marlene) – I absolutely love meeting people from all over the world and will try to make you feel at home at our meetings.
If any questions have remained unanswered, or you would like to get in touch, please feel free to contact us.
We hope you have learned more about us and look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings!
For ther TransSisters-team
Marlene
