ABOUT US

who we are

The River City Gems are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the lives of transgender individuals and their families by providing social opportunities, peer support, education, resources, outreach programs, and other services focused on the specific needs of the male-to-female transgender community.

OUR MISSION

Our primary goal is to create opportunities for transgender women to get together and socialize in a personally affirming, safe, and supportive environment. We also strive to raise awareness and understanding of the transgender community through our online presence and our positive interactions with the public at our events. We’re all about changing lives and changing perceptions.

OUR MEMBERS

We’re a warm, caring, and fun-loving group of girlfriends who happen to be transgender! We range in age from our twenties through our eighties and come from a variety of backgrounds and professions. We may be married or single, and may describe ourselves as gay, straight, or bisexual. What we have in common is a desire to celebrate who we are and to support each other.

OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS

Our group is open to anyone who identifies as transgender, including crossdressers, those who have fully transitioned, those who are currently transitioning, and those who are questioning or exploring their gender identity. We also invite partners, family members, friends, and allies to join us. Our spirit of inclusiveness creates a welcoming space where all of our members can enjoy themselves, and most importantly, be themselves.

NEW & NERVOUS?

We get it! The thought of stepping outside your front door for the first time can be scary. We aim to make those first steps as easy as possible. Remember, we are here to help, advise, encourage, and support you.

  • Would you like to talk to someone before attending your first event? Contact Us

If you are not quite ready to join us en femme, you are welcome to attend any event in male mode. We even have a monthly gathering called the Drab Gab, which is perfect for first-timers who may be more comfortable meeting with a small group of Gems in male attire.

what we do

We sponsor a variety of different activities throughout the year, and we are constantly exploring new ideas and new venues for our events. We know that our members have different interests and varying degrees of comfort with public exposure. That’s why we offer a broad range of options, from private gatherings to mainstream outings.

FEMME FRIDAYS

Femme Fridays are casual social mixers that give you a chance to get together with friends (and make new ones) over drinks and appetizers. They’re a great way to meet new people and enjoy some quality girl time.

DRAB GABS

Drab Gabs are casual lunches held on the 4th Friday of every month at different Sacramento area restaurants. Come in male attire for good food and friendly conversation with an understanding group.

SPARKLE

Each fall our signature event, River City Sparkle, draws attendees from all over California (and beyond) to join us for an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing. This is the night to dress to the nines!

PARTIES

The Gems love a good party! Our Spring Fling, Picnic, Paint and Sip Social and December party are always memorable. Come celebrate with us.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

We are active in the local and regional transgender community and support other groups that share our goals. We participate in a wide variety of events such as Pride, Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Gender Bender Ball, and the DVG Fall Dinner.

SUPPORT FOR PARTNERS

Spouses and partners are an important part of the Gems, and the Gems are an important social and support network for them too. We have a large and active group of significant others who participate in events, help with organizing and running the group, and serve on our board of directors. They often form lasting personal friendships that extend beyond their involvement with the Gems.

get involved

Newcomers can always expect to feel welcome at River City Gems events. When you are ready to attend your first event, just RSVP. We’ll give you directions to the event and answer any questions you may have. It’s that easy! View upcoming events.

COMMUNITY GROUP

If you are thinking about getting involved in the River City Gems, why not start by joining our online community at groups.io? You’ll be able to exchange messages with the group, ask questions, view photos of past events, get event reminders, and more.

Learn more

MEMBERSHIP

We strongly encourage attendees to become supporting members. It’s the most important way you can “give back” to the group, and you’ll also be entitled to discounted entry fees and your support enables us to continue serving the needs of the transgender community.

Learn more

frequently asked questions

  • The Gems take your privacy, safety, and security very seriously. You are not required to give us your legal name, address, or telephone number. If you do provide us with any personal information, it will be kept strictly confidential. It is up to you how much you choose to reveal in your conversations with other members. View our privacy policy.

    In addition, our code of conduct states that photographs may not be taken, posted online, or shared without your permission. View our code of conduct.

  • Paid membership is not required in order to participate in our activities. However, if you enjoy our events and attend regularly, why not help support the group by becoming a paid member? Visit our membership page.

  • There are no hard and fast rules on dress, but we ask that you dress appropriately for the venue and refrain from behaviour that might make others uncomfortable. For more details, view our code of conduct.

  • Our group is focused on male-to-female crossdressers and trans women. However, trans men are always welcome at our social events, which are open to everyone. If you are looking for female-to-male resources in the Sacramento area, you can check out our listing of local support groups.

  • For privacy and security reasons, we do not publicize the location of some events on the website. Complete details will be provided when you RSVP.

  • We are focused on the needs of transgender women and their significant others, including the need to be protected from unwelcome attention. Our group environment is intended to be one in which even the most vulnerable members can feel completely safe and secure. For that reason, we do not admit those looking to date transgender people. If you are interested in a relationship with a transgender woman, try the local nightclub scene or personal ads.

  • You must be over 18 to participate in River City Gems activities, unless we have written permission from your parent or guardian. If you are a teen, check out our list of local resources for trans youth.

  • What comes to mind when you think of a gem? Rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and emeralds are beautiful, precious, and rare. They come in many different hues, but all sparkle in their own way. Sometimes their inner beauty is hidden within, but it is there all the time, waiting to be discovered. Gems have many facets, with each facet contributing to the whole. We believe that nurturing and developing the feminine facet of our personalities enhances every aspect of our lives.

our board

The River City Gems is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors who are dedicated to serving the transgender community and nurturing the Gems vision. For details on each of the Board members, visit the Our Board page.