Hello

[Guest EmilyA]

Hello, I'm Emily. I am a mtf just starting out on my path. I'm in the process of finding a therapist in my area so if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations for therapists in Minnesota please let me know. I don't want to go to one just to find out later that I would have to see someone else for an HRT letter. I also don't want to see someone who is going to try to "cure" me.

I am currently dressing feminine in public and at school and am "phasing" it in more by the day. I have also told my mom, sister, my mom's lesbian partner, and several friends about me and so far I am supported. I haven't told my dad yet but he knows I've been dressing feminine (it's hard not to notice since I live with him) and he doesn't seem to mind.

Both Duluth and St Paul/Minneapolis are within range for me so any recommendations would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[Guest viv]

Hello Emily,

Hun, you are so welcome to Laura"s . Sally or Donna Jean will be along to

invite you to cocoa and a nice chat shortly and I am sure there will be plenty of advice

re a good GT etc. So hun, in the meantime it might be a good idea to have a quick look

at our terms and conditions ((top of page)) and then have a look around . I look forward

to your input , luv,viv

[Guest A.S.]

Welcome to Laura's

[Guest sarah f]

Welcome to Laura's Emily. You definately know what you want with a therapist. That is a head start for you. Hopefully someone on the site will give you a good one to go to. Good Luck on finding one. I am happy for you that you already have a support group. Keep on posting and I look forward to reading more about you.

Love,

Sarah F

[Carolyn Marie]

Hi, Emily, and welcome to the Playground!

Have a comfy seat in the Member's Lounge and I'll get you fixed up with some hot cocoa (I bet you drink

a LOT of that up there ) and some of Sally's chocolate chip cookies. There you go!

It sounds like you have lots of support, which is as wonderful as it is rare for us, so I'm really happy

for you, hon. You're a very lucky girl. You know what you want and how to get it, so good on you.

Laura has a list of gender specialists and I noticed there are quite a few in Minnesota. You can find the

list here: http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm. I hope you find a good one.

We are a moderated site and all posts are reviewed. If you wouldn't mind reading the Forum Rules

I would greatly appreciate it. There is a link at the top of most of the pages.

I look forward to reading your posts.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[gennee]

Hi Emily and welcome to the family.

Gennee

[Guest Amanda joan]

Hello Emily,

I am very happy to make your acquaintance. You have come to the right place. I would recommend my GT to you but, I live in Maryland. I am sure the resources the Carolyn Marie showed you will be helpful as our members have compiled the list. You need a GT for more than a prescription. That is important, but there is so much more you need to work out than how to get hormones. I have been on them for a month and I feel great about it. It did take me a longer time than I expected to get to the point where I would feel comfortable with people seeing the results of what they will do. I had to work out in my head how I would handle the summer. What was I going to do when it gets hot and I have started to develop breasts? I have worked very hard on my mental state and have been able to get ride of some opposing mindsets that have been ingrained in me for over twenty years. I have had to stop myself from bashing women while I am around men who are doing that. It came to me as an Ah Hah moment and then I started looking at everytime from a different point of view.

My Gt has had 20 plus years experience in the transgendered community. She says that transition is like getting on a train from New York to LA. You have a great sense of relief when you climb aboard. You may take the train straight to the end without any diversions. You may stop along the way for some time and be happy there. You may decide that Denver or Salt Lake City is far enough. The scary part is where you decide to go is completely up to you. When you are an adult that is your call. Slow and steady, this is not a race. There is no prise fo finishing early. Getting to your destination does not solve all your problems it just presents you with additional ones. There is much joy along the way and I hope that you find your fair share.

Peace & Love Amanda

[Guest EmilyA]

Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome. It IS warm in here. I will be checking out a GT at the U of M. It seems like they have a good program and are one of the few that seems to have a website. Hopefully the cost isn't too much since I don't have insurance right now. But since I'm a full-time student right now I should be able to get on MN Care and from what I understand they cover the therapy and hormones. So that's a huge plus for me.

I'm fairly sorted emotionally. The hardest part was the denial, conflict, and acceptance. Atfer all that I've become fairly happy with myself. Life has a lot more meaning now and I've been able to actually appreciate the things around me. Fortunately, I have been able to test out my appearance a bit. I have a little extra weight to work with so when I wear a corset it actually looks like I already have breasts and slims my waist a bit too so I have a fairly feminine figure. So far I'm liking how I look as a woman although there are the obvious changes I need to make such as electrolysis.

All in all I'm happy and I know that this is right for me. Most of my girlfriends accept me already and have even asked me what I wanted them to call me. There are a couple that I gotta tell yet but I don't see them much. I will have to post an updated photo when I get one. I'm gonna see if my sister can take one for me this week.

Emily

PS: The cocoa is delightful!

[Guest AshleyRF]

Sounds like you know what you want and are well on your way. Congrats!!! This is something that often takes many of us years to do.

Hugs

Ash

[Guest EmilyA]

Well it did take me a good 20 years. I was happy being girly at five until my family intervened. I would through massive fits when my grandmother would refuse to paint my nails. I would hold my breath until I actually passed out. After that I started getting the boys don't cry, paint their nails, and have tea parties treatment. That's when all my problems started. So I had my share of battles with myself but now I realize who I am again and stopped caring about the elitist social norms. I'm set on being me and nobody can stop that except for God himself/herself (had to throw that in there) and God loves all his children regardless of who they are. Which is something that unfortunately cannot be said about most families.

New photo is on its way.

Hugs,

Emily

[Guest casper]

Hi Emily,

<<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 MTF meetings-Mon & Sat 9pm est, and you are welcome to attend.

We all look forward to seeing you.

vanna

[Guest ricka]

Hi Emily and welcome to our family here at Laura's. Sounds like you are well on your way in your journey to become the lovely young woman you already are on the inside. Transitioning isn't so much about taking the few big steps like hrt and srs but it's all the tiny steps we take along the way that over time take us to our destination and taking the time to be mindful and savor each small step as we become who we truly are.

Hugs, Ricka

[Guest EmilyA]

I am in the process of making my first appointment. So far I haven't been able to get a hold of the intake office. It did snow so they might not be there. Today was my first day at school dressed completely feminine. Of course class was cancelled but the few of us who didn't know and showed up hung out for the two hours and chatted. It was me and a few girls from class and I'm sure they noticed but they didn't say anything or treat me any different. That made me feel comfortable. I am kinda going out of order as far as what most do first but it is working for me so far. I can't afford electrolysis at this point but forunately my beard isn't too think and doesn't really start showing until later at night when I'm already at home. I'm looking forward to tomorrow which I'm still a little bit nervous but I did get the confidence I needed today. I'm sure more people will notice tomorrow though since I have my Psych class but I think they'll be mature about it, more curious than anything.

Hugs,

Emily

[Sally]

Hi Emily,

Sorry I took so long to get here but I see that you have been taken care of and greeted properly.

We are sort of a family here and I love that feeling.

You are doing things the right way so good for you.

Let us know how things are going and never hesitate to ask any questions because the only dumb question is the one unasked.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Shane_82]

Welcome

~ Shane

[Guest EmilyA]

I just got my first two appointments made at the U of M. It's kinda pricey but I should be able to get on MN Care and from what I understand they cover therapy and hormones. So hopefully at most I'll be paying co-pays. If that doesn't work, the U knocks off 20% for on-time payments so that'll help a little. I'm very excited but the appointment isn't til March 12th so I have to wait til then.

In the meantime I'm debating on whether or not to tell my dad. He does see how I dress but I don't think he knows exactly what's going on. I'm just not sure how he'll react. He does accept my sister who is a lesbian so I'm hoping he can handle this too but I'm a little afraid he'll freak out. I'm thinking about maybe waiting another week to give him more time to get used to the clothes and see that I'm serious. I should do it way before I forget my laundry and he sees my panties floating in the wash, lol.

Thanks again for all the warm welcomes and hospitality.

Much love,

Emily

[Guest Natalie92]

Welcome to Laura's Emily!!!

Natalie

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Emily

I think you have a good feel about yourself. You are certainly at a good place here at Laura's. I hope to see you stay and help out our younger people here - especially those starting college as you are doing. Keep us posted!

Also - we are here for you should you need us!

Lizzy

[Guest Chandra]

Dear Emily,

Relax sweetheart you are now with your family, and we take care of our own.

I hope you will find your true inner self here, the sincere caring and love here is

for real. I hope you will find the answers you seek, at the least you found many

new friends. The more you get involved the more satisfaction you will recieve

You will be amazed at how much support you will receive so get involved

and you will feel the love, which is life's sweetest gift, and you are right we are all Gods children

You certainly know where you are at, and seem very together, and your personal style will evolve here

So be yourself and magic will happen, hats off to you sweetheart for living your dream.

If you want something bad enough you will find a way of making it happen

Love and hugs, Chandra

Best Wishes, Take care, Love, See Ya Chandra