New, And Happy To Be Here :)

[Guest tvc444]

Hi everyone! I'm 27, and in the past few months, I think I've finally been coming to terms with my gender issues for the first time. My story is so similar to so many others, it seems cliche, but i'll tell it anyway.

Some of my earliest memories were of wanting to be a girl. I remember in kindergarten, a friend of mine who had earrings, and I was SO jealous. I remember wanting them so badly. As time went on these feeling came and went, sometimes strong, and sometimes not so strong, but always there. When I was 12 or so, I tried crossdressing. It was something I did whenever I could throughout my teens. On the outside, I was a normal guy. I fit in well, and somehow managed to convince everyone (and even myself to some extent) that I was a pretty ok guy. I was never very masculine, but not girly either. I just did my best to hide that female side of me, and no one was the wiser. In college, I started dating seriously. I've always been attracted to girls, although i've often questioned how much of it was genuine attraction, and how much was jealousy... Anyway, in college, I had my first serious girlfriend. In retrospect, although I loved her, I think she was an easy way for me to divert my gender issues, and I did for a long time. Over a year ago now, we broke up. I was devastated initially, but got over it much faster than I thought. Now, I'm living alone, and for the first time i'm finally trying to focus on myself, and deal with an issue that has been part of who I am for my entire life. I've managed to repress it for so long, but deep down, I knew that someday it would be back and I would have to do something about it. Now, I don't want to wait any longer. I want to live authentically. I want to be 100% me, and 100% happy. I know that if I don't try to transition, that I will regret it for the rest of my life. I only have one life, and to me, its gotten to the point where I simply have to do it. So here I am, 27, not out yet, but I finally did make an appointment for a gender therapist, and I'm so excited to take the next step. I'm scared shitless, but I know i'm finally doing the right thing, even if it does seem surreal. The time is now!

So hello to everyone, thank you for sharing your lives on here, I hope to meet some great people, and hope I can add something here as well. Anyway, I always like to put a face to the story, so here is a pic of me (kinda crap photo, but you get the idea at least) http://i.imgur.com/hEZMx.jpg

-Chrissy

[Sally]

I would like to welcome you to the forums Chrissy.

Yes your story is very familiar, ours all are but with differences along the way much like ourselves all pretty much alike but distinct and different and somehow unique.

I am all too familiar with trying to fool yourself and others about being masculine - I was apparently pretty good at it - but when you decide that it is time to let go of all of that there is no way to go back - it just doesn't work.

I am so glad that you have made an appointment with a gender therapist - one of the best possible moves.

Now as for support, you have come to the right place so why not come on in and have a seat, I'll bring you some hot cocoa and a plate of fresh baked cookies and you can glance over the rules at the link on the top of the page while we wait for the others to come by and say hello.

You are about to meet a wonderful group of people that I consider to be my family, welcome to Laura's.

Love ya,

Sally

[JenniferB]

Hi Chrissy and Welcome to Laura's Playground

IMO you pass well right now. You have come to the right place and believe you are moving into transitioning at the right time, mainly because your life isn't as complicated.

I'd like you to read the terms and conditions found in the upper right hand corner of nearly every page, if you haven't already. We keep this site PG-13.

I believe you will like your stay hear and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also the information found in the forums can be extremely helpful and info you are looking for is probably there.

Good Luck on your journey.

Jenny

[Carolyn Marie]

Welcome to the Playground, Chrissy.

All I can say about your story is that it is like mine, except that I went another 28 years or so before taking the steps that you're

taking. So good on you, girl, for having the courage, the knowledge, and the wisdom, to do this now.

We have a lot of resources here, including the Forums, Chat, and the Resource Pages. But the most important resource are the members.

We think of ourselves as family, and we care about each other. Stick around for a while, and you will see what I mean.

Post in any forum, and someone will be there to answer. You are among friends who understand you.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest tvc444]

Ahh wow, what a nice welcome already. I will definitely stick around, thank you so much!

[Guest miss kindheart]

Hi Chrissy,

<<< 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 Sugar! And a warm welcome to our family here at Laura's! Your story is like that of many of us who have struggled knowing that on the inside we were female and longed for the woman locked up within us could be free so we could be the women we were always meant to be. Your picture is darling---you are a lovely young woman indeed! You are going to find acceptance, encouragement, understand here and most of all you will find you are not alone.

Miss Ricka

[Guest tvc444]

Hi Sugar! And a warm welcome to our family here at Laura's! Your story is like that of many of us who have struggled knowing that on the inside we were female and longed for the woman locked up within us could be free so we could be the women we were always meant to be. Your picture is darling---you are a lovely young woman indeed! You are going to find acceptance, encouragement, understand here and most of all you will find you are not alone.

Miss Ricka

Thanks you! I'm really happy to be here. It feels so good to finally be making a bit of progress with this and I need all the support I can get:)!