T-MAC has a robust online community that's grown rapidly. Our online groups include a private Facebook group and a Discord server. To find out about upcoming T-MAC events and other trans-related events in Chicago, we encourage you to sign up for our monthly email list.

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Facebook Group Rules

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The T-MAC Facebook group is intended for Chicago-area only members, and for topics related to trans issues or Chicago-area queer issues specifically. Off-topic discussion, selfie-posts, etc, should be taken to our Discord server. Our full group rules are below.

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1. No off-topic posting. 

   • Okay: Looking to give a binder, doctors in Chicago, trans-friendly sports league.

   • Not okay: Looking for a dog walker, how to change gender markers in MI, where can I find girl scout cookies. 

2. No personal fundraiser posts. Unless the mods have made a post or event specifically designated for personal fundraising we ask that you share personal fundraisers elsewhere. This includes fundraising for businesses or organizations, unless that organization is specifically trans services related. Our community is often limited financially. We may occasionally post fundraisers for T-MACs operating costs (website/zoom fees). We ask that you share them with cis allies for the same reason.

3. No using the group for personal unrelated self-promotion.  This includes sharing your own unrelated content i.e. blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, personal business’ unrelated to the trans experience. (That said, even if it’s on-topic if you post incessantly, or it is your only engagement with the group it may be removed).

4. No going “live” on the page. 

5. Search before you ask. Click “topics” or use the search feature before posting questions. There may already be an answer. “Has anyone gone to Dr. Shore” “How do I file a name change” “trans-friendly hair salons” etc etc. There are also groups already on Facebook dedicated to specific topics like “Chicago Queer Job Board” “Chicago LGBT apartment listings” etc that may better fit specific needs.

6. “What happens at T-MAC, stays at T-MAC.” Do not repost personal text, images, or other content originally posted here without the express permission of everyone involved. Respect the different levels of “outness” of members and do not out them outside of the group. This includes adding someone to a public trans/LGBTQ page or event that will show up on their feed without their permission. Reposting content without permission may be grounds for an immediate group ban.

7. Trigger Warnings and Nudity Rules

   1. Put warnings on potentially triggering content, including discussions of sexual assault or severe dysphoria. If you aren't sure if your content is triggering, err on the side of caution.

   2. While bare chest photos are often relevant to the group topic, they may be taken down by Facebook because of their ridiculous nudity rules that are inconsistently and unfairly enforced. We apologize if this happens, but it is out of our control. We will not specifically delete them, however.

8. Research Inquiries. Posts looking to recruit for research-project/studies, interview subjects are allowed but they must be posted to the Facebook group itself. DO NOT DM members about them unless they have given you permission. Requests that offer compensation are even better.

9. If you’re not sure, ask. Message a moderator first if you aren't sure. Posts which include 'delete if not allowed' will be deleted on sight.

10. Post Respectfully

    1. No gatekeeping. There is no ‘right way’ to be trans or nonbinary. Posts about 'transtrenders' or suggesting other people are not properly trans/nonbinary may be grounds for deletion or banning.

    2. No hate speech. Do not post hate speech, slurs, or personal attacks. If you feel someone is not posting in good faith, report the post or contact a moderator. Bigoted or hateful comments may result in your comments being deleted, or your account being removed from the group.

    3. Check privilege/yield to minority and BIPOC voices.  Don't whitesplain, don't speak for communities outside your area of experience. When members express their feelings of being erased, dismissed, silenced, or invalidated, listen to them. Acknowledge it, apologize, and change the behavior. Refusal to listen to other members and mods on this is grounds for removal from the group. 

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These rules are in place to make navigating the Facebook page for information, meetings, and local events easier, and may be altered to better fit these needs in the future. Our Discord server allows for specific Text Channels that better serve the disallowed posts above and for more general social posts, memes, and socializing. 

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How to contact a moderator on Facebook 

1. Non-Urgent: Click the “…” in the upper right-hand corner of the original post. -- This will open up your options for this specific post/comment. Click "Report to Admin" -- This will report the post/comment directly to the admins. Most of us get notifications for this, and it pops up into a special section of the group page for us to see immediately. While we may not be able to handle it right at that very moment, someone will see it soon. 

2. Urgent: You can tag an admin into a post that needs review with @ [name]. Tagging multiple admins is a good idea, as we all have different schedules. You can also message an admin directly by going to one of our profiles and sending a message. Due to Facebook’s multiple message filters, we sometimes don’t see messages. Again, sending it to multiple admins increases its chances of being seen.

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Discord Server Rules

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1. You can join our Discord by clicking here. Elliot Besmann (Captain SaveABro#8184) is the main moderator on the Discord, so contact them here if you are having trouble getting in, if the link isn't working, or you have questions/concerns. Please introduce yourself in the introductions channel once you arrive in the server. Once you've shared your name, age, and pronouns, a moderator will let you into the rest of the server.

2. Post in the appropriate channels. Please keep all 18+/nsfw images and discussions in the 18+/nsfw channels.  "Highs' is for wins, victories, and happy things. "Lows" is for misery, heartbreak, and unhappy things.

3. “What happens at T-MAC, stays at T-MAC.” Do not repost personal text, images, or other content originally posted here without the express permission of everyone involved.

4. Honor the diversity of people's identities and opinions. There is no ‘right way’ to be trans or nonbinary.

5. Practice respectful dialogue and assume positive intent from other posters. Do not post hate speech, slurs, or personal attacks. If you feel someone is not posting in good faith, report the post or contact a moderator. Bigoted or hateful comments may result in your comments being deleted, or your account being removed from the group.

6. Put warnings on potentially triggering content, including discussions of sexual assault or severe dysphoria. If you aren't sure if your content is triggering, err on the side of caution. Use || on either side of an image or link for potentially triggering content.