On
April 3rd, 2004 Laura's Playground was born. Its main mission
is and was to provide support for our transgendered brothers
and sisters as well as to try to reduce the high suicide rate
in our Community. As I built the site it quickly became apparant
that I could not fulfill the sites mission alone unless I cloned
myself. So I observed in the chatrooms to find the most exceptional
Moderators I could find who would all work from the same set
of rules for the same mission. I wanted to make this a safe
site. One by one I found them. This page is dedicated to introduce
those fine people who have become our staff members, All of
our moderators are dedicated volunteers who work for no pay.
They put in countless hours in the chat rooms and some in the
Forums. Between them they have saved thousands of Transgender
lives.
One
of the great benefits though, have been our users. As the moderators
started projecting their support it became infectious in a miraculous
kind of way. In a very short period of time Support seemed to
build from everyone. Even in the few hours that we are not covered
by moderators, visitors of our chat rooms are overwhelmed by
the support here. We also hold peer Online
moderated
support group meetings . More are planned.
Remember
that moderators are here to provide you with a safe site to
chat and they are carrying out and enforcing the rules of Laura's
Playground that I put forth. They deserve nothing less then
total respect and courtesy for their dedication. Please treat
them right. If you need to debate the rules write to me. I wrote
them, not the moderators. So don't argue with the moderators.
It is reason enough to be banned.
Many
of our moderators are training, or have been certified in Youth
Suicide Prevention. This is the same Professional Training that
suicide hotline personel receive. We are the only Transgendered
Support Web Site that provides Online Peer Counseling and Transgender
Support Group Meetings, as well as suicide prevention. In addition
moderator's go through a unique course run By our "Training
Director", Sharleah (MamaShar). If you are interested in
becoming a moderator for either chat or the forums contact Karen,
PetraJane or Laura.
ALL
persons featured on this page are unpaid volunteers working
for their community. Most have put in thousands of hours of
hard work for the sole purpose of supporting you our users and
our community. Only staff members who have been active
within the past year are listed on this page. Others are inactive
staff who are always welcome to rejoin at any time, and are
given special mention at the bottom of the page.
A
new position here is the Chat Crisis Supervisor. Their primary
job is to backup our moderators who are handling user crisis's.
They are well experienced in crisis management and suicide prevention.
Their crisis management skills have been invaluable. They usually
are online for long shifts in the background and are always
a mere shout away. While you may not always see them they are
always there.
The
staff here is a team working together for the same mission which
is saving Transgender lives. No one can do this job including
me by myself. Every position is important here and critical
to our mission.
In
emails below replace at with @. This is to cut spam mail.
The
Staff, Supervisors and Moderators
|
President/Site
Owner
|
Linda
S : Details Private |
|

Volunteer
News Editor
Author
|
Laura
Amato,
author of Laura's Playground and Laura's HBS site.
Laura
has a psychology and management background and is a
certified youth suicide prevention counselor. She is
not a therapist. She pays all site expenses out of her
own pocket.
Laura's
work is way too much for one person. Most duties have
been divided up. The staff below has been hand picked
by me for their talent and expertise in certain areas.
Without them this site could not exist. These team members
have helped make this site successfull.
Contact
info
|

Vice
President of Web Design and Forums Director
|
Petra
Jane has
run the forums
since the very beginning and still does. She is now
a vice president in charge of web design as well and
has a great knowledge of HTML. She has put in Thousands
of hours of work into this site.
She
is a Crossdresser from the UK who is also a Grande Dame.
Petra Jane has a site dedicated to Trans Fiction. She
is also a dear friend.
PJ
has been 100% active in site management since May of
2004 and was our first moderator. She has shown a willingness
to do the hard work necessary to put in the time and
effort to run this site and has the experience to do
so. She will be my successor in running this site and
making day to day decisions. She also plans to keep
the site design as it is and not get rid of our unique
features our users all love such as our Site Pals.
Email:
forums at lauras-playground.com
|

Vice President
Died
December 1st 2008
|
Georgia
Ann Hodnett
is a Vice President of Laura's Playground and Laura's
HBS Site. Georgia was the second to enter our realm.
She has been here from almost the start of our humble
beginnings and has been my mentor and a good friend.
She urged the founding of our Transgendered Daily News
Room which is now legendary. She has been an activist,
author and a spearhead for the Transgendered Community.
GeorgiaAnn
Died on December 1st 2008. She will be missed not only
as a staff member but as a friend, advisor and mentor.
Georgiaann
Hodnett Memorial
|

Vice President TG Welfare
Chat Room Director
|
Karen_H
is now a Vice President in charge of TG Welfare. She
is part The New Hope Foundation and is working on TG
housing in the Houston area. She also is the Director
of our chat rooms and the Senior Supervisor. Karen has
our hardest job trying to keep users, Moderators, Supervisors
and Laura happy.
She is a certified youth suicide prevention counselor.
Please direct all Chat problems directly to Karen.
Email:
Karen.Simpathi at gmail.com
|
Vice
President of
Chat
Operations
Director
|
Ashley
is
a PreOp MTF. She is certified in Youth Suicide Prevention,
and runs the MTF Group on the chat. Oversees the Assistant
chat directors and day to day chat operations. Reports
to the chat director. |
Vice
President of Communications
Assistant
Chat Director
Transman
Director
|
Stu
Is a pre-op FTM Transsexual. He is The Assistant Chat
Director with experience in crisis management. He is certified
in youth suicide prevention. Stu is head of FTM Chat And
is in charge of our Transman section on the site. |

Vice
President Crisis Management
Supervisor
and Training Director
Assistant
Chat Director
|
Sharleah
is now Vice President in charge of Crisis Management
And Moderator Training and has saved hundreds of lives
here. Those she has trained have saved thousands more.
She is also a part of the New Hope Foundation working
to eradicate TG homelessness.
Sharleah
is a MTF/Intersexxed Transsexual. Sharleah is a certified
Youth suicide prevention counselor and Trainer. She
hosts the Intersex meetings and co-moderates the Parents
of TG Children meetings. Sharleah also trains our new
moderators and is in charge of our Suicide Prevention
crisis training program. Her work here is an important,
critical job that anchors this site. She has brought
Professionalism to a whole new level.
Email:
capricemama1 at yahoo.com
|

Vice President and Chat Crisis Supervisor
Back-up
News Editor
Special
Projects and Resources Director
|
Monica_Jennifer
is a MTF Transsexual who has been on hormones
since 1996. She is certified in youth suicide prevention,
and is a Chat Crisis supervisor. She is also a Wiccan.
Monica co-moderates the Parents of TG Children meetings.
She
supports the staff reviewing the daily transcripts and
crisis's in an effort to help us to improve our crisis
handling. In addition she is training to be our News
Editor.
Monica
is also Special Resource Projects Director. She manages
our lists like the Gender therapist list and other new
ones being created. She is the creator of both the Endocrinologist
and Electrologist resource lists.
|

Chat Support Supervisor
|
Jess
is a PreOp MTF Transsexual. She
is certified youth suicide prevention. She handles Chat
Technical Support Issues and Feature Updates, as well
as Holiday Decor. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Jen001
Jen Is a post-op MTF Transsexual. She is a chat room supervisor
with experience in crisis management. Jen is certified
in youth suicide prevention. |
|

Couples
Moderator
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Kasandra
is a GG or Genetic Girl who lives with her Crossdresser
husband Darla.
Kasandra
holds the TG partners, wives and husband's couples meetings.
|
|

Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Sakura
is a Chat room supervisor and is certified in youth suicide
prevention. She is currently in the Real life test RLT
and very knowledgable about Transsexuality. She is the
Significant Other of Tony_D. |

Chat
Crisis Supervisor
Forum
and Chat AA/NA Moderator
|
Bobbi/Robin_P
is a self described T girl and helps moderate our Drug
and alcohol abuse meetings. You can also catch her on
our substance abuse forums. |
Significant
Other, Wives Partners Chat and Forum Moderator
Chat Crisis Supervisor
|
Anyushka
likes to be called Anne (not Annie). She is the
GG (Genetic Girl) wife of a MTF who is on hormones. She
is very supportive. She will be running our S.O. and wives
Support Meetings. She also moderates the Partners Forums. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Justin
is
a 25 year old FTM. Certified in Youth Suicide Prevention.
Plus, holds a Bachlors Degree in Psychology. He helps
to run the FTM meetings. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Kaylee
is
an MTF transsexual and supervisor. She is certified in
youth suicide prevention. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
NickJ
is
a PreOp FTM. He is certified in Youth Suicide Prevention. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Alyea
is
a PreOp MTF who is also Intersexxed. She is certified
in Youth Suicide Prevention. |

Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Rita
is
a CD and is certified in Youth Suicide Prevention. Rita
runs the CD Support group on the chat. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
JaymeAnn
is
a PreOp MTF who is also Intersexxed. She is certified
in Youth Suicide Prevention. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Samantha
is
a MTF/Intersexxed individual and she runs the weekly Intersex
Group Meeting on the chatroom. She is certifed in Youth
Suicide prevention. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Danielle
Michelle (aka) Faerie Princess
is a PreOp MTF Transsexual. She is certified in youth
suicide prevention. |

Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
Rebecca
/ Becca is a MTF Transsexual currently in the
RLE. She is certified in youth suicide prevention. |

Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
vanna
is a PreOp MTF Transsexual. She is certified in youth
suicide prevention. |
|
Chat
Crisis Supervisor
|
DarienJames
/ DJ
is a FTM Transsexual. He is certified in youth suicide
prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Devils_Daughter
is an MTF PreOp Transsexual. She is presently
taking the Youth Suicide Prevention course. |
|
|
Buzz
is our FTM Forum Moderator and is currently on
Hormones. He helps run our FTM weekly support meetings.
He is certified in Youth Suicide Prevention. |
|
|
Bernii
is a MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the Youth
Suicide Prevention course. |

MTF
and AA/NA Chat Moderator
|
Sarah1
Sarah is a Post-op MTF Transsexual and is very
knowledgeable on transgender issues. She co-moderates
in the MTF meetings and in our Alcohol and Drug Abuse
support meetings. Sarah is certified in youth suicide
prevention.
|

Chat Moderator
|
TraciDeanne
is a Post-op MTF Transsexual with much knowledge
on Transgendered issues. She is certified in youth suicide
prevention. |
|
Assistant
Forum Director
|
MaryEllen
is an MTF transsexual and moderator.in the
forums |
|
Forum
Moderator
|
Sophie
Jean is
an MTF transsexual and moderator.in the
forums |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Abby
is a Post Op MTF
transsexual and a moderator. She is certified in youth
suicide prevention.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Dionne
is
a MTF Transsexual. She is certified in Youth Suicide Prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Brianna
is a MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the Youth
Suicide Prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Aarianna
is a MTF Moderator. She is certified in youth suicide
prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Melissia
is a MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth Suicide
prevention. |

Chat
Moderator
|
Tony_D
is an FTM Moderator. He is certified in youth suicide
prevention. He is the Significant Other of Sakura. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Jd_1008
/ JD is a FTM Moderator. He is certified in youth
suicide prevention. |
|
Forum
Moderator
|
Jennifer1
/ Tinkerbell is
a MTF Transsexual and moderator.in the
forums |

Chat
Moderator
|
Leazabeth
Elizabeth
is a MTF post-op Transsexual who openly transitioned while
working as a research scientist for the US government.
She is certified in youth suicide prevention and has been
semi-active since beginning her transition in 2005. She
is a success story here and hopes to help others in transition. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Libby
is a MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth
Suicide prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Samantha
is a MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth
Suicide prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Andi
is a Significant Other to a TG partner. She is presently
taking the Youth Suicide prevention course.
|

Chat Moderator
|
Paula
Ult
is
a PreOp MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth Suicide
prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Samantha_C
is a MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth Suicide
prevention.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Jamie A Holly
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth
Suicide prevention.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
DeShanna
is a GG Parental Advisor. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention Course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Missundaztood
is
a Chat Moderator who is presently taking the Youth Suicide
Prevention Course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
ZoeyOh
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth
Suicide prevention.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Matthew41
is a Pre Op FTM Transsexual. He is certifed in Youth Suicide
prevention.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Alissa
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is certifed in Youth
Suicide prevention.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Lonewolf
is a Pre Op FTM Transsexual. He is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
jessica_282
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Cathie
is a MTF Transsxeual, and is presently taking the Youth
Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Veronica
Young
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Semolina
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Seriana
is a MTF Transsexual, and is presently taking the Youth
Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Constance
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Ashton-Bradley
is a Pre Op FTM Transsexual. He is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Emma82
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course.
|
|
Chat
Moderator
|
BriannaMarie
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
WonderWoman/Jengirl004
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Michelle
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is certified in Youth
Suicide prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Raydub
is a Pre Op FTM Transsexual. He is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
zelane
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual who is also Intersexxed. She
is presently taking the Youth Suicide prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Nadine
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is certified in Youth
Suicide Prevention. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Nikki_C
is a Pre Op MTF Transsexual. She is presently taking the
Youth Suicide prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
jj
is the father of a Transgendered individual. He is presently
taking the Youth Suicide prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Wolfy
is a Androgynous individual and is married to a MTF partner.
Shewolf is currently taking the Youth Suicide Prevention
course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
chad-army
is a FTM Moderator. He is currently taking the Youth Suicide
Prevention course. |
|
Chat
Moderator
|
Bear30
is a FTM Moderator. He is currently taking the Youth Suicide
Prevention course. |
The
following staff have now been inactive for a year or more
and may return to the active staff at any time: Katherine,
Rachelcrown, Jake, Oz, Betty B, Kieraleanne, Brina, Sondra,
bobbie, Brittany, BeckyAnn, Diane, AJ, Beth, Shelby (lil shar),
ashley4262, jessica72.
Forum
Moderators
Teen
Mentors
Moderators
behind the scenes