New Aussie On Site

[Guest jayke]

Hi my name is Jake or Jay depend on my headspace. Im 30 and just working through my stuff.

I neither identify as male or female currently, and never have. I need to work out whether I am androgynous or male???

My (illegal) wife is a woman and we have two kids. She is VERY happy to support me either way and identifies as pansexual (loves the individual)

I have always been ashamed of my body, from as young as 2 apparently, hiding it and always dressing in "tomboy" clothing, like it was not my own. I dont like my breasts, they dont seem like they are mine. I dont like people touching my body. My sex life goes up and down based on how im feeling about myself. (not confidence, but how I feel about my body)

Some days im shocked that I have a female body.

I am considering going to counselling about this stuff. But, I hate counsellors.

I want to cross dress, but am too afraid. I dress in lesbian style clothes anyway, so whats the difference.

It has taken me this long to think about because my family are pentecostals, it was hard enough coming out to them.

[Guest Charlene_Leona]

Good Day Jake

I nice to have you here, you will find the playground to be a wonderful and support place to come to. We are moderated to keep out the haters and the chasers. If you need anything please ask one of us may just have the answer for you. If I were you I would defiantly find yourself a counselor with the dysphoria that you experience over you body, one could do wonders for you and your piece of mind.

Take Care

Charlene LEona

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

Hi my name is Jake or Jay depend on my headspace. Im 30 and just working through my stuff.

I neither identify as male or female currently, and never have. I need to work out whether I am androgynous or male???

My (illegal) wife is a woman and we have two kids. She is VERY happy to support me either way and identifies as pansexual (loves the individual)

I have always been ashamed of my body, from as young as 2 apparently, hiding it and always dressing in "tomboy" clothing, like it was not my own. I dont like my breasts, they dont seem like they are mine. I dont like people touching my body. My sex life goes up and down based on how im feeling about myself. (not confidence, but how I feel about my body)

Some days im shocked that I have a female body.

I am considering going to counselling about this stuff. But, I hate counsellors.

I want to cross dress, but am too afraid. I dress in lesbian style clothes anyway, so whats the difference.

It has taken me this long to think about because my family are pentecostals, it was hard enough coming out to them.

Welcome aboard, there are a bunch of great people here who can offer advice to you. However to the best of our knowlege none of them are clinicians and because of that we cannot diagnose conditions. I am not sure how the system works in Oz but here it is the therapists who control the letters for hormones and surgery. If your therapist and Dr follow the Harry Benjamin (WPATH) standards it will be

1 letter for hormones

1 letter for top surgery

2 letters for bottom surgery

The only safe way to transition in either direction is under the care of a therapist and Dr. The transgender umbrella is a big one and covers lots of possible diagnoses. A good Gender Therapist can help you figure our where on the spectrum you fit and help you along the right course for where it is you fit.

I understand and appreciate that you dont like counselors but there really is no way to do this without their help.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Good morning, Jake!

Welcome to the Playground, Hon!

Let me offer you a slice of pizza and a cold drink....OK?

You know....we're all going in different directions on this site, yet we all have a commonality...

And, we're all in this together....we're a support site and we help one another...

Also, we're moderated and keep everything safe for everyone.

I'd like you to get comfortable and learn ...find answers and maybe just figure things out.

We do care...

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest jayke]

Thanks all for your kind welcome. Much appreciated.

I am on the way to enlightenment and wholistic confidence

Good morning, Jake!

Welcome to the Playground, Hon!

Let me offer you a slice of pizza and a cold drink....OK?

You know....we're all going in different directions on this site, yet we all have a commonality...

And, we're all in this together....we're a support site and we help one another...

Also, we're moderated and keep everything safe for everyone.

I'd like you to get comfortable and learn ...find answers and maybe just figure things out.

We do care...

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Carolyn Marie]

Hmmm, I smell pizza. That usually means there is a new member around and Donna Jean found him already.

Hi, there Jake, and welcome to Laura's.

If you're confused this is a good place to help with that. As Joanna mentioned, we can't diagnose anyone here, but you can still find a

lot of good information and get advice from those with experience. Look around the forums and you will see for yourself.

After five posts you will have private message (PM) capability and can chat via PM with other members. If you haven't already,

please check out the forum rules too. There is a link at the top of the page.

I look forward to reading your posts.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Misa]

Hi Jake welcome! Another Aussie This place is so great your going to love it, it has helped me through allot of hard times, I always find if your experiencing a tough time go straight here and talk about it, don't wait just vent it out.

My given name is Jay also... but I was born a boy, its a gender neutral name woop!

*Huggs*

[Guest jayke]

thanks so much for the great welcome. More than appreciated! I cant tell you!

[Sally]

Hi Jayke,

I am so sorry that I arrived so late but it is that time of year and I work in retail so I finally made it here so G'day!

You have been given pizza and good advice so all I really have to over is my best wishes, a hand when you need it and my love should you want it.

I am here often and I love to offer support because it helps me to grow.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Shane_82]

Welcome

~ Shane

[Guest van-na]

Hi Jayke,

<<hug>>

Welcome to Laura's Playground.

Please feel free to come over and chat sometime.

The Chat room does require another registration that is separate from from your forums one.

Please read the chat room rules before coming in, and expect a short interview with one of the chat room moderators.

One of the things that they will ask you is if you read the rules.

We have Andro meetings -Wed 7pm est and you are welcome to attend.

We all look forward to seeing you.

vanna

[Guest SusanKG]

Hi Jake,

Welcome to the Playground. It's wonderful that your wife is so open and accepting. That is a major benefit as you work through this.

SusanKG

[Guest julia_d]

Hi J

My husband is from Sydney .. shouldn't be hard to find the support you need there.

heres a starter http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Communi...LBTServices.asp

http://www.gendercentre.org.au/index1.htm

Hope to be home myself soon.

[Guest jayke]

hey all. Julia I have minor issue which makes it difficult and that is that I work for City of Sydney with the homeless population. So, anything in the city would not provide the anonymity I need at this time. And I am a leader in Metropolitan commnity church and some of our attendees are involved or reside at the gender centre... so Im not sure..

Gender centre is looking more promising. I did email them, but I might have to give them a call. I'm scared about that.

[Guest julia_d]

OK .. just trying to help out. The anti discrimination and privacy laws are real strong. Only issue I have with NSW is the lack of recognition for Gender Recognition Certificates.. everything else seems a lot better than where I am currently.

Guess we will be off to Qld soon as ..

Heres a thing.. Immigration advised me as a TG person to apply for work within city and state departments because of the non discrimination legislation, but it's however you feel comfortable. If you start cross hormone treatment that will immediately flag on your work required medical reports.. just something to think about.

Give them a couple of days to email back.. I only picked Syd because that's where you say you are from and I don't know of any out West offhand. (Mick calls me a Parra girl, but I'm a Panther really XD) that I could suggest as possible alternatives.

There are a group of girls up in Brisbane who might be able to give better advice.. I will give my friends a buzz later (after teatime etc) and see if there is any better info.

Anyway.. the ball is in your court.. do whatever you feel comfortable with. No hurry, take your time. I do understand how it feels taking these first steps (been there too y'know *winks*) Don't tear yourself up too much.. it does get easier after the initial leap of faith. What you could really do with is a nice small group well out of town I guess.. somewhere nobody knows you and there is only a miniscule chance of bumping into somebody you work with or who knows you..

It is perfectly fine to use an alias when booking appointments with state run helathcare in certain circumstances to ensure privacy.

Good Luck anyway.. I'm here if you need any support or somebody to have a rant at.. whatever really. Oh.. and it's going to be hot the next week my guy says. Bit of a biter by all accounts.

Hey.. you work around that side of life.. any news on the murder in Centennial Park a few months back? Have they caught anybody yet or are the cops doing their usual "ignore the queerbashing, turn a blind eye" routine? Last I heard they were "keeping an open mind" as to motive.. which means (to us anyway) that they have decided the motive and filed it away in the "maybe if theres no footy on" cabinet.

[Guest Adrian]

AN AUSSIE!!

My goodness, I was beginning to think there were none.

I suppose our time zones just don't match. Or maybe we don't hang in the same 'rooms.

Anyways, welcome!

[Guest jayke]

hey julia. re the murder- it was not a gay guy as first thought, just someone on there way home from work. Its funny I go there everyday for work, we have a few rough sleepers sleeping in the park there.

Thanks for the support, I may well lean on you as I work through this thing!

Ive contacted the gender centre, so here goes