Ten months ago, Bree H. let her hair down and began her transition from man to woman.
"It was a small step," said Bree, 54, of Gainesville. "All I did was pull my hair out of my ponytail. But looking back, it was a big step for me. I was a wreck before."
Now she smiles and drinks wine in the cafe behind Wild Iris Books as she swaps stories with other members of the Gainesville Transgender Support Group.
Founded in 2001 as a safe place for transgender people, the Gainesville Transgender Support Group (GTSG) meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to discuss issues resonating with the transgender community.
"It's nice to be around people who are like me," said 22-year-old Alexia, who asked not to disclose any of the members' last names.