Queer Menopause and other fckery - a Quintimacy 'Extra' call

Have you noticed Menopause is having ‘a moment’? It is being talked about more than ever before.

Or, perhaps we have been ignoring it from a place of denial because we were 20, 32, or 43 years old and it was something that was ‘over there’ and happens to ‘other people’.

Or, maybe it happens to ‘other genders’. Because, anything that is ever said about Menopause tends to be horribly gendered and erases queer and trans experience of menopause.

And maybe we don’t want to look at ageing, especially when anything to do with ‘ageing women’ is doubly loaded with negative (sexist/ageist) connotations.

And then the signs and symptoms start to happen to you, and suddenly it really is ‘having a moment’ in your life!?

And it is well reputed to have an impact on libido, genital wellbeing and comfort, energy levels, sleep quality, cognitive functioning, not to mention confidence, sense of self and mental health.

Many trans folk experience a form of the menopause much earlier than average too.

Yes, that is a thing. And so are Pre menstrual syndrome (PMS) and Pre menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), experienced by lots of queer and trans folk.

Then there is the convergence of queerness with neurodivergence and the convergence of neurodivergence and sensitivity to our own (endogenous) hormones.

And a whole load of other conditions and situations where hormones cause us unwanted fuckery!

There is a lot to share and talk about here!

I am holding This Quintimacy ‘Extra’ call as a supportive and empathic peer sharing and learning space for us to share experiences and be heard, and learn from each others knowledge and experience. All are welcome, those with direct experience or who want to learn more and to be allies to other queer and trans folk who are experiencing these transitions and fuckery!

What happens on call?

The call will be structured in the same way as a monthly community call.

1. Introduction and confidentiality agreement.

2. A quick round of introductions including hearing what topic you might want to talk about in a timed slot.

3. Timed slots of about 10-15 minutes per topic, including sharing and focussed group discussion and peer support.

4. Wrapping up and self care/after care reminder - end.

Confidentiality

Like all Quintimacy online spaces, we ask that you respect the privacy and confidentiality of the attendees and the stories and sharing, and do not share outside of the call who was here, and what they shared.

Screens

We ask that screens are on, at least until you have introduced yourself.

Recording

This call will NOT be recorded.

Who can attend?

• Existing Quintimacy attendees known to Beck.

• Other interested queer and trans folk (18+) who send Beck an email (before or after buying a ticket) telling me your name, pronouns, identity and why you want to attend this call.

Refunds/cancellations

Free cancellation over 3 days before the event. Otherwise, no refunds are available, sorry. No refunds will be given for any reason once the call has started.

Boundaries

• This is a clothes on Zoom call.

• No sexual activity on the call.

• Listen to others and respect their views and experiences.

• Take responsibility for yourself and your self-care needs.

• Come with a ‘risk aware’ attitude that you might hear about things you disagree with or feel uncomfortable about, and that can be acknowledged and sat with.

• Our views and discussions do not happen in a social or political vacuum and we take into account that power, culturally embedded advantages and structural inequalities inevitably inform our experiences in different ways.

• If you are behaving in a way that is disrespecting boundaries of the call or disrupting the experience for others, Beck reserves the right to remove you from the call (no refund would be given in this case).

Important disclaimer

Please note, this is not intended as medical or endocrinological advice, nor is Beck or anyone present there as an ‘expert’ in this subject (except ourselves). It is a peer sharing and learning space.

(This is in a loose pairing with another earlier call I am holding called Queer Hormones - see https://buytickets.at/quintimacy/1375119)