Choo-choo, Newbie Train's A-comin' In.

[Guest Zeke]

Hey there ho there. I'm Zeke, I'm a transdude, and I'm bad with introductions.

I'm sixteen and I live in the Wolverine State, which is nowhere near as awesome as it sounds. I enjoy a wide variety of hobbies, such as digesting food, slipping into a brief rest period each night in order to recharge my energy, utilizing my legs to manually move from one place to another, and strategically pressing the buttons on my keyboard to communicate with others. As you can plainly see, I have an exciting life filled with adjectives. Nothing is stale when I'm around, not even old bread.

Until last year, I had no idea there were others like me, or even that there was a word for it. (Thanks, ABC channel-- your late-night documentaries never fail to enlighten.) I've been living full-time for only a few months, even though I came out to [almost] everyone I know about a year ago. My friends were amazing about it-- they accepted me without question, which was a massive relief given how anxious I was then. My parents didn't really react the way I'd have liked them to: they didn't kick me out or anything, and even though they're being mostly level-headed, they're kinda avoiding the subject unless I specifically bring it up. At first they went through a phase of denial like pretty much all parents, telling me that I "might just be confused" (God, I hate that word now) but I think I've driven some sense into them now. Still having trouble getting them to call me by my chosen name, though. I'll convince them with time.

I'm pre-everything right now. Haven't started T yet because finding a decent therapist is way harder than it should be. So far every gender specialist we've called has either not returned our calls, or said that their offices are too full. (And then there was the child psychiatrist who had no idea what he was doing and thought I was insane in the membrane, but that's a different story.) Someday when I have the funds I plan to go the whole nine yards-- HRT, surgeries and such-- but for now, I'm passing and feeling well enough to get by.

So yeah. Hi and all that.

[MaryEllen]

Hi Zeke,

Welcome to Laura's Playground. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

MaryEllen

[Guest Jack Solomon]

Nice to meet you, Zeke, I liked your introduction. You have an entertaining style of writing.

That's great that you've been living full time. I hope to be able to do so soon. I just started HRT a few days ago, but I'm not passing yet.

Anyway, welcome.

Solomon

[Guest Sheila]

hi zeke, wow, you sure have a way with words. for the longest time i thought i was all alone. a rarity if you will. like i was the only person like this. people either hid it well, i know i did, or there's something in the enviroment that's making this condition more prevailent in our world. or people are becoming more accepting to our condition. i don't know. when i was your age i could have never come out. people just weren't aware or not educated enough to be at all accepting. in my 50 years, i've seen it go from extreme prejudice to, well, a more accepting society, sort of. i didn't understand my condition until i was a teenager myself when i first heard the word transsexual or transgender or whatever word they used back then. then i knew that, wow, i am not alone. it's great seeing more young people stand up and say, hey, this is who i am. more power to you !!! i had trouble with my sibling. she was in denile too, always trying to avoid the subject. now that she's educated herself she's more willing and able to talk about my issues. she understands i was born this way and there's nothing she can do to change me.

sheila

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Hi and welcome, Zeke! It sounds like we have many of the same hobbies. Good to meet you!

[Guest Shaun.Olsen]

Welcome to Lp my friend, come and pop into chat some time and say hey to all the wonderful peeps

[Guest Drew]

hey Zeke welcome to the forums. congrats on being able to go full time

[Guest Zeke]

Heh, thanks everyone. Nice to be around like-minded people for a change.

[Guest CharliTo]

Heh, thanks everyone. Nice to be around like-minded people for a change.

Hehe, I understand how that's like

Welcome to the forums!

[Guest Just_Call_Me_Nick]

Welcome to the family.....

Nick~

[Guest Seth]

DUDE;

You kinda remind me of myslace. Anyway, welcome.

[Guest GoldenKirbichu]

Yo, Zeke! You sound like quite the cool dude. We're in basically the same spot in our lives right now. Welcome to the good ol' gang.

[Guest raydub]

Zeke! Glad youve found the Playground!

Welcome!

Ray