Hi

[Guest cc1987]

Hi, I'm new here so thought I would do a small introduction.

My name is Chris and I'm from the UK.

I joined here as I am currently training to be a mental health nurse with a intrest to going into youth with gender related problems. So I joined to try to get a small bit of insight and guidence for what I want to do.

Thanks

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Chris

We welcome you - as you know we do have some rules and as you are not necessarily gender dysphoric yourself (I assume so anyway) it may take some practice to get into the idea of how we interact. Obviously, this site is very G-rated (Laura says PG-13) and it is also a site where we do not go into personal information (which can be dangerous - such as our identities and where we live, stuff like that). We also don't not discuss hormone treatments, dosages or other detailed medical and treatment information, as there are a lot of impressionable younger people here. An Laura's is somewhat set up as a site focused upon suicide prevention and crisis management, so we always need to check to see our postings are as positive as possible - which is not to say we DON"T have people who will communicate their saddness, depression, frustration and general seemingly unsolvable problems (unsolvable to them anyway).

The pronouns are simple - look at the name of the poster. Female names deserve female pronouns and male names require male pronouns. If a person's gender is not apparent, it is okay to ask - and you probably know most of the jargon, but FTM is female to male, MTF is male to female, Cross dressers usually go by their fem name if male (female cross dressers are rare but do occur). Also, this is my opinion, not a rule, many here classify as androgyne - and they seem to have generic names, so you have to take a cue from their use of pronouns.

Trangender is not necessarily the same as transsexual. Gender Dysphoria covers a tremendous group of people. Sexual preferrence is rarely an issue as the rules don't seem to apply. This site is GENDER-GENDER-GENDER. You will not find much about the transitioning people who are advanced. For whatever reason, Laura's seems to attract the earlier stages - a lot of questioning about identity.

Also - the site has many international people - and GB ideas don't always get clearly stated - in the USA we are trying very hard to have the medical profession consider transsexuality as (1) not a life style choice (2) not a sexual preferrence (3) not a mental condition. This may be a slightly different view from elsewhere.

Okay - that said - whew

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME - please look around and ask away - state an opinion or two - help a few people out if possible - post often!

After 5 postings you can also private message (PM) anyone who has 5 or more postings also. You may find a few of us seriously senior types here. You will also find a few spouses of gender dysphoric and sometimes a parent or two. Have fun - be sweet - and see what you can learn... yikes, a mental health nurse

OH I forgot - the teen forum? You cannot start a topic, but you can respond to them. We ask that you remember their vulnerability as they don't always have empowerment or life experience - and Gender Dysphoria is HARD to face.

Please let me know if I can help. I am age 61 - MTF - in therapy - on HRT - and transitioning fully. They sometimes call me Dizzy Lizzy, but I tell those younger that I am their Great Aunt. ha!

[Guest Zabrak]

All I have to say is dont down talk the parents of youth who have GID. I read a post on a poor mother who went through it...She is such a great mother, too. I have a bad history with a therapist too - who acted all high and mighty and downtalked me.

Anyway, I don't want you to feel unwelcome. You're free to browse the forum, of course. Enjoy you time here as you'll find lots of great people. This forum is also loaded with tons of information. Laura and her staff are amazing.

Welcome to Lauras Playground!

[Guest cc1987]

Trangender is not necessarily the same as transsexual. Gender Dysphoria covers a tremendous group of people. Sexual preferrence is rarely an issue as the rules don't seem to apply. This site is GENDER-GENDER-GENDER. You will not find much about the transitioning people who are advanced. For whatever reason, Laura's seems to attract the earlier stages - a lot of questioning about identity.

I have been there myself, quesitoning my identity (still in a sort of 'closet' with my sexual preferrence for quite a few reasons).

Also - the site has many international people - and GB ideas don't always get clearly stated - in the USA we are trying very hard to have the medical profession consider transsexuality as (1) not a life style choice (2) not a sexual preferrence (3) not a mental condition. This may be a slightly different view from elsewhere.

I agree to all the points that you have made with that, to me personaly it is something that no matter what you can not change the way that you feel.

OH I forgot - the teen forum? You cannot start a topic, but you can respond to them. We ask that you remember their vulnerability as they don't always have empowerment or life experience - and Gender Dysphoria is HARD to face.

Well you mention youth, that is the area that I am planing to going into, youth with gender problems, though do to my age (early 20's) I have been advised not to.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I have been there myself, quesitoning my identity (still in a sort of 'closet' with my sexual preferrence for quite a few reasons).

I agree to all the points that you have made with that, to me personaly it is something that no matter what you can not change the way that you feel.

Well you mention youth, that is the area that I am planing to going into, youth with gender problems, though do to my age (early 20's) I have been advised not to.

Sweetheart - go where your heart tells you to.

Well - I am a moderator - not really staff. I didn't want you to feel you had to get my approval - ha! No - I think you should look around. I wanted you to get off on the right foot so to speak (I have always wondered about that expression - is it an americanism?)

Zabrak for example - is one amazing person in my opinion.

Hey - let us know what you learn.

Elizabeth

[Sally]

I just want to toss in my welcome as well. I am always happy to see someone who is wanting to help transgendered youths. It is a very important field. The people who advised you to work with older people may have forgotten, you don't get these kind of degrees and education over night. You're in your mid twenties now so by the time you could realy get going and start a practice that would put you in your early thirties and most people wouldn't have a problem with you helping - they might just feel like you would relate better not being an old fogie.

Anyway,

Welcome,

Sally

[Guest Jo-I-Dunno]

Hi, I'm new here so thought I would do a small introduction.

My name is Chris and I'm from the UK.

I joined here as I am currently training to be a mental health nurse with a intrest to going into youth with gender related problems. So I joined to try to get a small bit of insight and guidence for what I want to do.

Thanks

Hi there. There was I time when I thought maybe I wasn't transgendered myself, but I was fascinated with the topic. I would read and read and read, and I considered becoming someone helpful like a rights advocate or a mental health professional or anyone who could help people with gender issues. I've since realized I'm really only fascinated because I identify as transgendered, but I understand wanting to help without necessarily being transgendered yourself.

If there's one thing I've learned in the past few days since joining these forums is that everyone is different. Even with all the different categories of transgendered people, someone is always going to feel a little left out or a little in-between, and question the legitimacy of their feelings. Let them know that if they can't find a label for themselves, that they are an individual and can have individual feelings that are legitimate.

Welcome!

[Guest Kelly Ann]

Hi '87...Welcome to the forums...there's a wealth of info for you to peruse...an amazing number of highly intelligent people from all over that are extreemly friendly...Zabrak is especially gifted...the hair cut is looking good too dude! So thanks for popping in...and being interested in helping as a professional. Normally there's cookies and things but I might be persueded to make some Greys and biscuts...one lump or two? Theres milk and lemon as you wish, Kelly Ann

[Guest Irielle]

Hi Chris , welcome! It's nice to have you here. Lots of great people and we all learn a LOT from each other.

I made some baklava for my SO's office party but stashed some away for us. Here, have a piece and pass it around!

[Guest Magan]

Ello Chris

Hope you find the forums helpful. We need more good nurses and other professionals out there to take the time and look for insight like you are.

Thank you

[Guest Amanda L Richards]

Hi Chris,

I would like to welcome you to this forum. You basically have met quite a few others already, I hope that you are getting the feel that they are a great group of people.

There is nothing but respect fostered here by the users, and that is the direct result of a very professional moderating team to ensure that everyone is comfortable and safe.

I think that choosing this forum to learn something from the real world, is a great way to get some insight into it in a safe and clean environment.

I am glad that you have come so like Elizabeth (a wonderful moderator) said, look around, and post an opinion.

What you plan to do by getting into the youth area, is a great service to the upcoming generations that will be lucky to find you in your professional field. I know that if I for one had found someone like you when I started out, I wouldn't have had such a hard time accepting myself. I would have done it long time ago, and gotten on with my life.

To direct them in the right direction when they are starting out gives them an edge on their lives. This is of utmost importance if they are to lead happy and fullfilled lives.

Bless your efforts.

Looking forward to talking with you more.

Luv

Amanda LR

[gennee]

Hi Chris and welcome to Laura's.

Gennee

[Guest Emily.SoCal]

Heya, Chris!

Welcome to the Playground! If this site has anything, it has diversity (and it has quite a few other things too like really, really awesome people) and that includes our younger members. So I'd say you came to the right place for insight!

It's good to have you with us. See you around the forums!

-Emily