Dear Jessica and Emma,
Agree with both of your definitions of "inner circle of friends."
One of my greatest disappointments was when I was accused by the Lesbian community of being a bisexual (I am not), when I was the only Lesbian volunteering for the Tampa Bay LGBT Hotline (mostly Gay men).
Another great disappointment was when I came out to my family, and they rejected me, and I am still estranged from them.
Have redefined "close friend" and "inner circle" to include GROUPS of friends, such as a Bible Study, a women's support group or a drumming circle, as well as my TGGuide friends.
As I age, (I am 60), my definition of the above seems to change. If I find myself in a minor crisis in between meetings, I call a warm line, which happens about once every three months.
Every so often, we have to reevaluate our definitions.
Your friend,
Monica