Social Butterflies

Latest News

  • Save the date: May 23rd

    We are returning to our usual schedule of the fourth Friday of the month. That has us meeting on the 23rd of May.

    Raid your wardrobe and bring anything quality that deserves a new home as the Clothes Swap is returning! This popular new feature we introduced in January 2025 is in hot demand. We have donated all the clothes from this year which have appeared multiple times without finding a new home so expect a fresh round of offerings!

    “It’s my first time out in public in women’s clothes and I’m scared”

    If this is you, be you a cross-dresser or a closeted trans woman coming out for the first time; you’re in the right place. DT’s Hotel provide the perfect place to debut. It is not on a major road like most queer venues, so it is possible to park discreetly and enter the corner hotel without being seen. Inside it is relaxed and friendly and most importantly, the majority of the crowd are AMAB (assigned male at birth) femmes and non-binary people. They are just like you and have been there before making their own shaky first steps.

    It is perfectly ok to come completely dressed as a man if you are still scared. Please note that if you approach the girls in man-mode, make it known to them you are also one of the dolls. The majority of the guests are femmes seeking friendship of other femmes, if a man approaches, they may fear you are a chaser. But once we know you are one of us, we are happy to provide you the advice and motivation to come next time as the real you. At worst it will be like going to the swimming pool without your bathers. But at least you will leave knowing the water is warm for next time!

    See you soon! Put it in your diary: May 23rd!

  • A message from Natalie Bryan on Trans Day of Visibility

    Image Credits: Jemba Photography 2025

    Hi everyone,

    Thanks for taking time today to mark Transgender Day of Visibility.

    This day is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the lives, contributions and achievements of transgender and gender non-conforming people, as well as raising awareness of the issues we face.

    Overall, it’s intended to be a positive and uplifting day – offering a stark contrast to Trans Day of Remembrance, when we mourn those we’ve lost to transphobic violence and suicide.

    However, it’d be remiss of me not to highlight that Trans Day of Visibility holds even greater significance this year. With ongoing efforts by governments around the world to roll back transgender rights and visibility, and a rising tide of anti-trans sentiment, things feel particularly bleak right now.

    Trans people in the US are facing exceptionally dreadful circumstances, so please spare them a thought today in particular.

    Here at home in Australia, whilst things are thankfully more tolerant, we are not immune and there are powerful forces working to erode our rights too.

    The Queensland government has recently banned the use of puberty suppressants for trans youth – medication that has been safely used, for a variety of medical reasons, for over 20+ years.

    Billionaire, Clive Palmer and his “Trumpet of Patriots” party are pouring money into countless TV and newspaper ads that directly attack and mock our community.

    Politicians have been involved in organising anti-trans rallies right here in Melbourne on the steps of Parliament.

    With a Federal Election on the horizon, I can tell you that trans people are scared and anxious right now.

    We’re scared we’ll be used as political pawns, as we saw happen to great effect in the US election.

    We’re scared about the rise of anti-trans sentiment and what it means for our ability to go about our daily lives safely and in peace.

    We’re scared about actions future governments may take regarding our access to gender affirming healthcare, as well as our right to bodily autonomy and self-determination.

    But, even in these increasingly dark times, there is hope.

    Trans people have always existed – the Hijras in South Asia for example can be traced back at least 2,000 years. Right here in Australia, gender diverse Brotherboys and Sistergirls have been part of Aboriginal culture for thousands of years – long before European colonisation.

    And trans people will continue to exist, as we always have, no matter what presidential orders are signed or what laws are enacted by cynical politicians.

    Importantly, whilst there are many who continue to harbour hate towards the trans community, there are countless allies standing shoulder to shoulder with us.

    And, right now, we honestly need that allyship more than we ever have.

    If you’re trans or gender diverse, please know that your community has your back, and we will support and care for each other no matter what happens.

    If you’re an ally, please know that you have immense power and that every little action you take to uplift and protect the trans community matters.

    Whatever comes next, I have no doubt that we will get through it together – as we always have.

    Natalie Bryan

  • The March Meet is Approaching

    The trans femme, non-binary and cross-dresser friendly socials continue in March. We are returning on the fourth Friday of this month: the 28th of March to be exact. Note that while this is our usual schedule, we can shift. Due to scheduling clashes: our April event will occur on the 11th of April. This will involve us teaming up with our friends at Melbourne Leather.

    This is a perfect time and relaxed environment to meet new friends, connect with old ones, or if this is your first time being in public dressed as a girl, the perfect place to debut the real you.

    Our clothes swap has been a huge success the last two months. We are grateful for every donation we have received, and overjoyed by the joy these free clothes have brought to our members. Together we raise ourselves up!

    Despite some logistical challenges, the clothes swap is very much returning for March but will not in April. If you want to donate, please do so this month as there will be a wait till our June event. Otherwise we recommend you send your donations to the TGV Affirmation Station in Brunswick.

    “It’s my first time out in public in women’s clothes and I’m scared”

    If this is you, be you a cross-dresser or a closeted trans woman coming out for the first time; you’re in the right place. DT’s Hotel provide the perfect place to debut. It is not on a major road like most queer venues, so it is possible to park discreetly and enter the corner hotel without being seen. Inside it is relaxed and friendly and most importantly, the majority of the crowd are AMAB (assigned male at birth) femmes and non-binary people. They are just like you and have been there before making their own shaky first steps.

    It is perfectly ok to come completely dressed as a man if you are still scared. Please note that if you approach the girls in man-mode, make it known to them you are also one of the dolls. The majority of the guests are femmes seeking friendship of other femmes, if a man approaches, they may fear you are a chaser. But once we know you are one of us, we are happy to provide you the advice and motivation to come next time as the real you. At worst it will be like going to the swimming pool without your bathers. But at least you will leave knowing the water is warm for next time!

    See you soon! Put it in your diary: March 28th!

  • Midsumma March

    The Social Butterflies members who marched down Fitzroy Street St Kilda in the Midsumma Pride March

    At Social Butterflies we are proud to be us. Our strength comes from the support we get when we meet, so naturally we marched in the Midsumma Pride March. This was our 3rd time marching and we have grown in number. This year we had seventeen marchers, from a total of over 7,000 who made their way down Fitzroy street St Kilda. Given the extreme and oppressive 38 degree heat, we appreciate every Social Butterfly who joined us.

    As with every daytime Midsumma event, every attendee loved it but wondered “why do we do this in the middle of summer?” Every day out has been extremely hot and sunny. Still the girls and they’s looked fantastic! You can see more of us in QNew’s Third Midsumma March Gallery.

    We will certainly be back. Keep an eye out on this space as we will advertise how to join us next year.

  • The Trans Femme Socials Return In February

    Social Butterflies’ brand of social nights for trans femmes and gender queer people are set to return this February.
    This is a perfect time and relaxed environment to meet new friends, connect with old ones, or if this is your first time being in public dressed as a girl, the perfect place to debut the real you.

    This event occurs after the end of the Midsumma Festival. It is therefore a typically more relaxed than usual enviroment as the summer social period comes to a close.

    Back by popular demand will be the clothes swap. This was not advertised widely before the January event, for fear of being swamped with supply. This certainly happened and we recieved mountains of generousity from our girls n themmes. Still demand was huge and the joy on the faces of the girls who scored new clothes was enough to ensure a repeat.

    For any crossdressers or closeted trans femmes coming out for the first time, this is a brilliant opportunity to not just be yourself in public, been seen and appreciated and recieve the massive confidence that comes with that. Now you can head home with a more complete wardrobe!

    Please just take what you like and redonate anything that does not work. DT’s Hotel does not have adequate change room facilities, so please do not block the limited toilets to try on a new dress.

    We can’t wait to see you this February!

  • Thank you Butterflies

    Trans women, queers and allies assembled for a group photo at the Social Butterflies Midsumma 2025 event

    On January 24th, 2025, we celebrated our 3rd Birthday with a cast of new faces and old friends.
    This was a fantastic night and another milestone for our community.

    We had way too much fun in the clothes swap, so now what was meant to be a one-off for the Midsumma Festival, is tendatively tiptoe-ing ahead towards being a regular feature. Keep an eye on DT’s back room at our next event for a room full of free clothes! Above is Francine and Bee, showing off with Bee’s absolute win in these outrageous thigh high boots. Her joy alone is enough for the clothing swap to return.

    Here’s to another fun year of new friends and helping trans femmes and NBs experience their gender for the first time.

  • Social Butterflies Turn 3 at Midsumma

    This Midsumma 2025, Social Butterflies will meet again for our 3rd Birthday!
    We were founded online in 2021, but met for the first time at DT’s Hotel on January 22, 2022. Every month since, at least one person has appeared in public, dressed femme, for the very first time.

    This month, we meet again for our largest event ever with the backing of the Midsumma Festival!
    Come make new friends or support someone you love in this relaxed and welcoming environment.

    Find Us @ Midsumma Festival