Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Anyone Else Tired Of Being A 'freak'?


Guest CharlesMonroe

Recommended Posts

Guest CharlesMonroe

Hey guys.

I haven't been here in ages. I used to post a lot when i was finding myself and beginning my transition, but **** really hit the fan in the last year and i haven't been up to talking about it.

I feel like talking now, even though i can't find the words to say how i feel.

I feel like these words are being wrenched out of me, it's been so long since i told anyone how i've been feeling. I was hurt really badly by somebody i opened up to, and i never ever want it to happen again. So, i shut myself off. There was a time i was more open about how i felt, but now i dont feel like i can bring myself to tell even my most accepting friend how i feel. The words just die in my throat, and are quickly glazed over with a joke. So, now i drink instead. It's taking every bit of willpower to not just delete this entire message, because to be honest, to seem weak when more than anything right now i have to be strong. Stronger than everybody else to get myself through.

I finally finished high school last year, the end of the worst, most helpless era of my life was finally over. So, i began college in the bigger town just an hour away from the one i live in. At first things were great. Things are still great, if you take into account my experience of school, i suppose i got my expectations up to high. I should of heard the warning siren when i noticed a few people who arrived at the college knew me previously. I just hoped the place was so big i'd be able to blend in, and a few rumours wouldn't upset things too much. Boy was i wrong. Of course, i got a lot of funny stares and stuff, i dont pass fantastically. It wasn't a big deal untill someone dropped the bombshell (ie 'Did you know that guy's really a girl?' or 'that person had a a sex change.'). So, the one place really felt safe has now become threatening to me. I'm constantly aware of the looks and stares, the whispers. My friends try and be nice about it, but they all know somethings up. It's got up to the point where a number of students have made it their mission to find out 'my deal'. In fact, i recently had some guy try and get me to sleep with him, just so he could tell everybody about it. Fortunately i'm not stupid and saw it coming a mile away, and a friend told me what was going on. Yeah, and people wonder why im so misanthropic. It's got to the point that im so worried about insecure ******** like that guy threatening me, i dont even want to go out. Usually i try and be strong, just brave the situation, but strong is the last thing i'm feeling right now.

To top it all off my Mum told me 'i suck at being a guy'. Apparantly, i'm just not masculine enough to cut it and all transmen and quite a few women are more manly than me. To be fair to my mum, she was drunk, but thats most of the time. I inherited her alcohol dependancy clearly. Anyway, she also clearly showed she had no idea of the difference between sexuality and gender ( i have explained it to her, many times) and thinks that i', not really trans, i just have 'psychological problems' or think that my dad is a 'role model' ( of course, she is completely forgetting my sister was raised by Dad as well, and is completely normal).

Now, i am the first person to admit i am not the most manly guy and never will be. It does not help that im actually very pretty. So, you see my dillema. I can see a bit more clearly now why so many transguys obsess over passing. Now, I am NOT picking at those of you who want to behave in a traditionally masculine manner. It's just really not me. I tried to be a traditonal guy, but while it was better than being a girl by a long shot, i still didn't feel right. I decided at some point that i did not just escape from one box to jump into another and close the lid. So i just started being me in all my camp glory. However, i feel happy about myself, but the rest of the world thinks im a complete freak. I've had numerous conversations with transguys about this and the message that seems to be coming through is, there is sacrifice involved in becomming a man and being accepted into that society. I just struggle to deal with the fact that in order to be accepted by anybody, i have to give up so many things that make me who i am. I know i have to be true to myself, but the sacrifice is that i have to give up nearly all chance of understanding or acceptance. It's all well and good as long as they never find out i'm trans. Because in wider society the idea of a guy in a girls body not being like Sylvester Stallone is too much to for them to get their tiny little minds around. I wish someday that the definition of man or even transman had space for me *sigh*

The thing that makes it all the worse is that i can't even get near a gender clinic. I can not stand this body, it makes me physically ill. Since im a teenager it just gets worse everyday. I'm on a race against the clock to try and stop things in their tracks, and the only way to do that is to get some T or at least some blockers. I know i'm old enough to at least get the blockers if not the T, as long as i pay money. Which me and my family do not have. Now i've been told that taking T will not give me what i dont already have, which may be true on one level; but on another level it will give me the missing bit of my life, respect as a human being. Maybe even respect for something i've accomplished other than being a mutant. Furthermore, it will make me a happier person and a more constructive one. Right now, i am not a person anyone wants to be around. My parents can't stand me. Heck, i cant stand me. Also, so much as i need to operate in a world with people, it would make things a hell of a lot easier if they were not confused by me. People are intent on putting me in a box anyway, it may as well be the right one. No, it is not fair, but thats the way the world works. As it stands now, i can't even find a job simply because of my appearance. I am upset so much by all this, i am physically vomiting. I am tired, and i dont want to fight anymore. I've been doing that so long now, and i just a respite, though it may be cowardly. Maybe, one day i'll fight again, but now is not that time.

This has been, for once, my true thoughts and impressions. I actually feel a little better now, just kind of numb. I apolgise if anything said in here was offensive etc, but it was written in a moment of deep distress and so i did not take the time to be PC. That's all i have to say really, and any advice or comments are appreciated.

~Sam

Link to comment
Guest Little Sara
To top it all off my Mum told me 'i suck at being a guy'. Apparantly, i'm just not masculine enough to cut it and all transmen and quite a few women are more manly than me.

Yeah, I feel you there...just got to love parents thinking they know *everything* there is about the world, or heck, the first thing there is about being trans - that it's NOT about gender roles. You can be a femmy guy and still be a guy, that doesn't change it. It's your subconscious sex that matters, the deep-knowledge of being male or female.

Heck, I've known a FtM who dressed drag queen-like because it made him pass (as weird as that may sound). That didn't make him 'really a girl'.

I hope things get better for you. If there's any sort of LGBT org at your college, it might be a good idea to contact them to get help in dealing with all this. Maybe they can get the administration involved so people give you a break (if only in the name of the right to privacy). Seeing a counselor or therapist might also be a good idea as you seem overwhelmed by stress, reading this post.

Link to comment

Hey, I'm not sure what help I can offer on this. Long ago I secluded myself to my room and became a nerd. I have no friends in real life rather then the few who live far away from me and my school is private. I have few convos with those people in school. Everyone who loves me and keeps in contact with me are online. It seems easier to reach out for help across the world then to the people right beside you. Maybe this was a good choice to post here.

All I can do is say when I read your post I could see the pain you're facing and understand it. Though, all I can offer you is to be here on the forum, make some friends online and open yourself up to some of us and let us be your shoulder to lean on. When you get older and out of school...perhaps you will find a more accepting group of people but right now doesn't seem the time. You could also try the chat room as its more instant then here.

You could always press the school to get these people get off your back because this is called harassment, but that doesn't always work. Its up to you to see if you think it'd be worth it. Maybe you could make a notebook of peoples names who are doing things to you and if they keep this up for too long then press charges againts them. I know that sounds extreme but thats incase this gets to a extreme point.

I wish the best of luck to you and hope you find some kind of peace.

Link to comment
Guest Linus Thomas

Charles, totally sympathize and understand. Try not to let all of this overwhelm you.

As someone who is transitioning late in life (I'm 39 and started transitioning last summer) and in full view of work, I can appreciate some of what you're going through. But remember one thing: this is all about you and only you. Other people may have issue with it but that is, ultimately, their problem that they will have to address, with you in your life or without you.

Your mom is assuming that man = macho, which isn't true. There are some very feminine men out there. I wish you could come to NYC to the support group that I'm a part of. In my support group there are at least 5 guys I can think of that are feminine, are guys and are proud of both. Whether you present as a man, a woman or neither, fitting into society's little round hole with your square peg isn't you. I can tell you that as someone who has done that for 38 years --- and it nearly killed me. If they are your true friends, they aren't going to focus on how you present -- there going to focus on the actions you do. It sounds like many of those around you are rather "immature" and more interested in the shallow gender presentations of life than life itself.

T isn't the be-all, end-all solution. But I will say this: because of T, I like my body (save for the need for surgery still). And that has been a profound thing for me. I would suggest, however, that you may want to see about finding a gender therapist in your area (if there is one). It sounds like there is a lot more going on than just this and perhaps having someone who's not invested in your life can provide a better sounding board.

Anyways, at the very least you'll always have a home here and an extended family to lean on. Embrace the "freak" you are and smile about how wonderful life is becoming. It will come at the right time, right place. Just got to have patience.

Link to comment

the night must get darker before there is a sunrise

things will only get better believe me, or the worst is yet to come, but i doubt that

atm for me im living a double life like some secret agent because of my family, and i had to present as female to get a job so im pretty much present as female 70% of the time which i totally hate, but i also know from september will be more like me being the real me Leo 99% of the time i hope

im sorry for your heart ache and hope things get better for you

Link to comment
Guest Jackson

I'm not sure how liberal your country is since I've never been there, but it sounds like everyone is a little closed-minded. You and your private life is no one's business but your own. I know that it's difficult right now. I wouldn't take anything your mother says to heart considering that she says it while intoxicated. Even when she's not, I still wouldn't take it to heart. I don't know if you do have much money, but I do remember seeing that there is a gender therapy link until the Transgender Links on Laura's website for a service in the UK that provides online therapy.

It took me almost all my life (all 37 years of it) to finally get to the point that I really don't give a darn what people think. Now I'm not saying that there aren't times when I am down or feel like an outcast. But I try to keep reminding myself that ultimately that the most important thing is my happiness and sanity. I need to do this. So I just try to say 'screw it' and just go ahead and do what I want.

Don't worry about being PC. At times like this, don't worry. Take care.

Link to comment

First off, I want to commend you on your courage for posting here. I know how hard it can be to be honest about your emotions - especially fear. I'm sorry you're having such a rough time and have to deal with so many jerks. I hope things get better soon.

T isn't a cure all, but it can help off-set feminine traits. Androgynous clothing looks masculine on someone who is clearly male and the same goes for many other things. It's awesome that you're trying to be true to yourself. For me - let me repeat, FOR ME - there had to be a balance between being recognized as my true gender and expressing all of my other traits and likes. I eventually cut my hair because I got sick of being called "she," but I found a more "masculine" hair cut I actually like. If T had done more to give me masculine features, I probably would have kept it long. I still play flute, squee over cute animals, and am polite/not intimidating when I talk to people. I just also show more "masculine" aspects. The further I've gone with transitioning, the more this works out for me. I look and act like a somewhat androgynous guy which fits my own gender identity. Depending on how feminine you are, you might find the same true for you. Just make sure you're okay with each compromise in either direction. No matter what your gender, there's people out there who are like you and people who will like you.

Is there any way to transfer to somewhere nearer to a gender clinic (assuming you need one to transition)? If so, you could get away from your past and start working on your future. Otherwise, you may want to find a therapist who is at least accepting of trans issues. You can always call and ask. Seeing someone might help you get a handle on your drinking and help you diffuse the immense stress you're under.

*hugs* if you want them

Link to comment
Guest MrAwesome

okay #1- you can get hormone blockers at 11 in some areas... T at 16 with parental consent, and then 18 on your own.

#2 - I understand how you feel about the "pretty" thing. When I was in 5th grade the teachers thought I had mental health issues, and I was always being complimented on my complexion, and my eyes, and my voice they just always were telling me about that. and my face is chubby, which is more feminine. I was told the other day that the rest of me looks like a guy but my face doesn't :(. so yeah totally understand how you feel.

#3 - There's a lot of guys that aren't really the definition of masculine, there's Goth, and Emo, and there's guys like musicians and stuff, and in general people more Artistic and intellectual than masculine and stuff. You don't HAVE to be the picture of masculinity. You just have to find other guys out there that are like you, with the same interests. I don't really know ANYTHING about you, I'm sure you fit in some were. :) The only thing is that being trans, it's kinda harder to not be totally masculine. Cause it's kinda like we have to prove we're not "Lesbians", or "Tomboys" (wells this is my opinion anyway)

#4 - the best advice I could probably offer at the moment, is bind, maybe pack , keep your hair short, no bangs. Walk with your head up high, with confidence, shoulders back. (basic stuff) Find a therapist, a therapist can probably also give you information on providers in your area that can be in charge of your T, make sure you have money saved up. And I'm not sure how much stuff you know really, but try to expand your interests a little bit, and in general try new stuff gain new knowledge. Maybe you can get involved in some activities and meet some people like you. It's only a sacrifice of time. :)

~ hope this helps... Mr.Awesome

Link to comment
Guest Elizabeth K

Wow - hard for you right now! I see the guys are to the rescue already - and I would really like to have you keep in touch with us here - PLEASE - PLEASE - PLEASE???. I suspect you need some support BIG TIME right now. This is the best place on earth for you right now.

YOU AREN'T A FREAK! YOU AREN'T A FREAK! YOU AREN'T A FREAK!

Lizzy

Link to comment

Sometimes I still do. I'm not gonna lie. It's hard bein' a Birl.

That's what I feel like sometimes, a Birl. I'm so much a girl inside yet still have some boy things about me.

What makes my dealio a bit harder, or so it seems based on most I read and hear, is that not only am I a girl inside, I'm an atypical tomboy like girl.

Crazy, huh?

I'm complaining less and less each day though, it seems.

I got my sweet stuff and I have my tough stuff. I'm just thankful the sweet stuff outweighes the other. Stop laughing! Kidding. Ha!

From what I read, you are far from a freak, Charles. Keep your chin up.

Link to comment

Please try to take this seriously because I mean this.

You are not a freak - everyone else is!

By that I mean you are and should be the center of your world - that's the way people are.

Imagine that you are an alien exploring a new planet - you have six arms and eight legs and to you this is normal, along with eyes in the back of your head. You land on a backward planet with 'bi-pedal, ape descendants who think digital watches are a cool idea' (a tribute to Douglas Adams) to you they are freaks! You report back as such - this backward and underdeveloped species is missing four arms, six legs and the rear view eyes.

They see you and scream because you have too many arms, legs and eyes.

Much like beauty it is in the eye of the beholder.

Don't let anyone with only matching sex and gender make you feel like a freak they don't have that power if you don't let them!

They are the freaks!

Love ya,

Sally

Link to comment
Guest CharlesMonroe

First of all, i would like to thank everyone for their supportive replies. It has made me feel a lot better :)

Believe me when i say if their was anyone, a GLBT group or even a therapist existing in my area that would be willing to support me as a transsexual person i would be there. I note that a lot of you are posting from Canada, a very liberal country in all regards. My brother is canadian and is suprised at the lack of human rights on the Isle of Man. The fact of the matter is that up untill about 3 years ago there was NUMEROUS anti gay leglisation in government, including laws preventing PDA between gay couples and forbidding it from being discussed in schools or other public areas. After immense public pressure (and threats)

from the EU they are now changing their policies, including laws regarding trans rights. However, take a look at this lovely little article here:

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Houghton-ca...over.4972533.jp

Now, on the upside they are bringing in laws and most of the emails have been positive (although i can't say the same for the local papers). However, this guy is a complete cup cake and should be deposed swiftly. I am starting a letter writing campaign and petition with my father (who is more supportive).

Despite, what the other FTM says in his interview ( i would really love to meet some trans people here, and have tried, but they are all deep stealth, for obvious reasons) i have encountered discrimantion from the psychiatric/medical community; not just on the grounds of being transsexual, but having a disabilty as well! Currently, i am going it alone without the support of the medical community here on the island, and reffering myself to the best transgender clinic in London, where i am more likely to get a fair review. The clinic is run by a transman who is obviously very open regarding gender identity/expression. The other clinic you have to wait on at least a five year waiting list and turn up with your cisgender girlfriend to get a look in, especially considering my age. I was, in fact, so disgusted by the handling of my case by the local psychiatric department, that i am reluctant to seek medical help on any issue, in fear that my identity will be taken away from me again. I definately fall withing the margin of those who will simply die without transition and i am not willing to take that risk with my life.

On the postive side, my college is liberal and i can count on them to take care of any bullying. At this stage, as it is all behind my back, i really dont have enough evidence to get the people taken care of. I am reasonably happy in my education at this time, after the hell i went through in my small town high school (bullying from students and teachers) this is a huge improvement, the staff are so wonderful.

I had a conversation with my Dad about the comments my Mum made. He says it is quite likely she may never really accept my identity. :( He thinks that she feels she failed to socialise me properly as a Mum because she is always working. I have tried to explain to her that my condition iswholly biological and that for me man does not equal macho. I;m thinking of sending her some websites and maybe getting her to talk to some people on the boards here. I dont know if it will help or just upset her more. My Dad thinks it also may be easier when i get on T, as she will be able to see the difference. That really is not making my wait any easier, although my parents say they are going to try anf help me get to London by the end of March.

I apologise if this is a crazy long rant lol. Thanks for listening guys, i'll check in and let you know how it all goes.

Link to comment

As was said, I also am glad you did have the courage to post. Keeping yourself attached even in emotions to your allies and support systems is always helpful and healing.

Also, I'm glad that you realize a lot of what you are experiencing is location-based. Canada is very liberal. Even in comparison to the U.S. In some places "especially" in comparison to the U.S. Where I live -the midwest of the U.S.- (know that the term "midwest" in relationship to the United States tells you "provincial, traditional, conservative") I can imagine you having exactly the same experience you're having where you are. So my take is going to be from that kind of locale. a) Be glad your school is supportive. Know where the help is there in the event you ever need it. ie which members of the administration will respond most strongly in your favor. b ) While (I admit) my first thoughts where "if your brother is in Canada why not think of relocating?" I also applaud your actions geared at changing where you are instead. Perhaps its "time" for change to come to the Isle of Man. c) For your own sense of confidence, please know that if you've been being accepted prior to those old schoolmates arriving as male at the new school you make a perfectly fine male as far as public acceptance as such. Screw what your mother says and forget it. She's an angry alchoholic who's unhappy with her own life -even angry at how she feels she performed as a mother- and bent on taking someone else with her. d)While we are entitled to all define "being a woman" and "being a man" for ourselves (and you'd better not loose what your definitons of yourself are if you have any hope of surviving the world) none of us are going to get 6,706,993,152 (thats the last world population count) people to "roll over" to "the transitioning persons" definitions of what is male and what is female (a physiological state more or less) because "we say so" or "it alleviates our dysphoria" or because "its the right thing" or any other reason than a widespread, scientifically irrefutable, statement made by the medical community outlining the new "sex determinants" and acknowledged by the major religions of the world. -Sorry, but thats darn near what you're gonna need. Or you'll always find one bumhole caught up on what his neighborhood taught him as a kid, his minister taught him in sunday school, or his mother taught him as she whipped his behind for wearing sisters underslip, who wants to try to tell you what someone else is. For that reason, whether you choose to "partake" of them or not, there will be certain "cues" read as "member of the male species" vs "member of the female species. And there's a big difference between "selling out" and faking mannerisms and beliefs you don't have (the ultra macho thing) and recognizing that those cues are generally accepted. When genetic girls become cisgendered women, along the way they learn what "the cues of woman are". They get to decide whether to embrace them or reject them. But they always "know what they are". So too it is with men I would speculate. Then so too must it be with transmen. Yes you can choose what you "don't want to do" but you have to learn what those things are first because like as not it gives you a "foundation" that still gets picked up as "male". And the acceptance without conflict just makes life easier to live. Unfortunately, we do not have that "third box" for anybody to check between male and female. The options then for anyone become "move to the more liberal place" but be limited to places like that, "learn to live in that two boxed world" understanding that while you can choose to be outside it that still is the system or "live in the two boxed world fighting every second for the third box to exist and be accepted". I'm supportive but I'm also pragmatic. Know what your real options are.

I am VERY glad that you found that clinic in London. I think you should check it out. Especially if its run by a transdude. For some reason I like the idea of being helped by someone who actually knows what these shoes can feel like. No matter how helpful or accepting a professional is I always know deep down that they're just "speculating" on how I feel and what this is all about for me, y'know?

Anyway, last thing I wanna say (cause its turning into a litany) is "you are not a freak". I almost want to "laugh" at the end, because the idea that you are is almost laughable; how is a human being a "freak" for not satisfying another persons desires for them over their own?

Anyway, I hope we see you around. And I didn't miss the part where you were drinking. It never "makes it go away" and you can apply that to any situation in your life you can come up with. Don't b.s. yourself with "I inherited it" alibies. You sound smarter.

Gah, I really better end this or it'll be the next great american novel :P We'll save it for the alchohol abuse thread.

Your friend in another close minded locale,

Ev

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
Guest MikeTravis

I have kind of the same problem in that I'm starting to feel more like a freak..My parents see all transpeople as confused and say that none are "well adjusted or happy" and they just want me to be an "educated lesbian." Yesterday I had it with alot of things going on in my life, so I used a tip that i think I got from "Hello Cruel World" by Kate Bornstein. I took a marker and wrote all over myself. I crossed out those really depressing and disturbing things (in my opinion) and wrote lots of things. Then I took a pencil (not sharp although I had to file it several times with a nail filer) and I drew in facial hair and took pics. Just today in fact, I was talking to my most supportive friend. She tells me that she thinks I'm a guy no matter what anyone says and calls me "sir". She's really cool; then I said "you don't really wanna see the pics, do you?" and she said no..she did notttttt. At that point I felt like a huge freak because I know if I was a bio-guy and she knew it, it would be funny, but now I went and did something really queer or freaky or whatever. I think I look KIND OF good in the pics but I don't know. I'm tired of being in-between or cast out or whatever the heck I am..

Link to comment

This rant is to Charles and Mike and anyone else who thinks that they are freaks,

I understand how you feel and having doe something that has made an awkward situation with your supportive friend underlines that point, the problem that drove you to that point was and still is controlable by you.

If you allow others to dictate normalacy to you then you must change how you perseve yourself with each person that you talk to - the word normal should be stricken from our language - there is no such thing as a normal person.

Everyone no matter how 'normal' they are seen by others have something about them that is abnormal to somebody.

You are normal for you, and that is all that really matters!

If you walk around thinking that you are a freak, then others will pickup on the 'something is wrong with me vibe', mush like animals we can sense some emotions and feelings - we just aren't as good at identifying them.

Think of who you are on the inside, that nice caring and sensitive man - those are all good qualities, you are a good person, either male or female, a good person and that is waht really matters isn't it?

You are a man, because you know you are, remember that and be proud of who you are don't walk around in 'full applogy mood' and no one will think anything odd about you.

Be confident and it will free you from these feelings, you must love yourself before anyone else can love you.

If you think you are a freak, you will be one - I chose not to, so I am not a freak I am a wonderful lady with a heart of gold who just happens to be in appearence male so I am fixing that little problem and getting on with my life, the one that I deserve - don't you deserve to live your life as the man that you know you are?

You have to get your mind straight and if it means ignoring most of what others say - do it, they haven't studied anything about this so why yield to ignorance?

Time to put my soapbox away again.

I love you, isn't it time that you gave yourself a chance and loved uourself too?

Sally

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 184 Guests (See full list)

    • Carolyn Marie
    • VickySGV
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.8k
    • Total Posts
      769.9k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,085
    • Most Online
      8,356

    blakethetiredracc00n
    Newest Member
    blakethetiredracc00n
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. FullyHart
      FullyHart
    2. MariPosa
      MariPosa
      (65 years old)
    3. pechenezhka
      pechenezhka
      (17 years old)
    4. Rubycd
      Rubycd
      (59 years old)
    5. Yana
      Yana
      (31 years old)
  • Posts

    • Carolyn Marie
      I've been looking forward to the legitimate medical groups coming out strongly against Cass' biased and one sided report, so I'm really glad to see the article you posted, @Davie.  Unfortunately, it won't get nearly the coverage that Cass has gotten.  She has done her dirty work.  Hopefully the pushback and investigative reports on her and her support network will result in her work being shown for what it is.  She is a fraud, and sooner or later all frauds are found out.   Carolyn Marie
    • KayC
      CONGRATULATIONS, Jessica!!  That's really BIG! I myself did not experience a huge emotional roller coaster.  It was more like a smooth slide into emotional comfort.  The biggest effect I felt is when my Dr put me on T-blockers first.  I felt a bit 'empty' for a couple of months, but then realized it was just because the 'T-monster' was no longer running around inside of me.  Then I felt it was my new 'normal'. I feel like the estradiol was the 'frosting' on my transition affirmation.  It's been only positives.  I do cry a lot more, but it's only because I finally feel free to allow my emotions to come out.  To me it's not 'hormonal' ... it's FREEDOM!   Everybody is different but it sounds like you are under great care.  I hope you have a beautiful first year in transition on HRT (keep us updated if you can).
    • Desert Fox
      Yeah, whatever happened to “good morning”?  I think “hey you” can also work to address people without offense…”you” can be single or plural so that works for any gender, non binary, or any group of people, and can be pleasantly offensive or neutral.   And I am very familiar with the experience of being “ma’amed” while in boy mode, particularly on the phone by customer support people located outside north America for some reason. 
    • KayC
      I'm hoping this election cycle might finally cause 'that' party to pay a price for such nonsense.
    • Desert Fox
      So nice to hear things are going well for you. Support is huge and that is especially great when it comes from your SO as well as your family and son. I think being happy with one’s own life’s direction can set the stage for not only other successes but attract others who are in alignment with one’s own ideals. it sounds like you are definitely on a positive trajectory!
    • Desert Fox
      There is some progress being made, some positive awakening from those who understand the difference between biology and the societal roles and rules that have been created by humans to separate, restrict and control other humans. Unfortunately so many people are still set in one way of thinking about gender, whether it benefits them directly to do so or they just fail to think about things for themselves for whatever reason, and they often cite religious or other historical sources to try to back up their argument, sources which typically could be open to various interpretations.   Pushing boundaries is what makes progress and it’s what we are meant to do…but most everyone that has pushed a boundary also gets pushback. Most everyone who has disagreed with conventional thought is called a fool or worse; those who invent something get ridiculed and laughed out, then their ideas are stolen for someone else’s profit. We suffer tremendously to push boundaries but ultimately it’s what society needs to evolve.
    • Ashley0616
      Goodness! You sure have been busy! That's really crappy of what your oldest pulled. That part about the talking about getting asked if it's an enhancement was funny. I guess your boss is going to miss you and just has a funny way of showing it? 
    • Desert Fox
      I read this thread with great interest…thank you, Sally for sharing your life in this detail. As I too identify as bigender, I suppose I am also looking for validation of my experience because I don’t know many transgender individuals that stay in a long-term part-time situation. For most, bigender seems to be a temporary step to fill-time transition or it is more of something someone puts on, as in cross dressing or drag. I have always struggled to explain how someone could legitimately have two identities sharing one body, yet that’s basically how it has been for me for my whole life, all the way back to early childhood.    You and I are roughly in the same era, and growing up with gender variance was different than it is nowadays. Some of our experiences were similar, but generally your life went quite differently than mine.   Back in the day, a part-time person was called a transvestite and a full-timer was called a transsexual (often committing to bottom surgery as well), but I’ve really come to dislike the cross dresser/transvestite label because it tends to be associated with those who are fine with being cis, but like to dress in drag for fun or fetish. And that doesn’t describe all part-timers. I would say that I’m actually a transsexual who chose never to transition, and presenting female part-time is how I have coped with lifelong gender dysphoria. I don’t like myself being male, and never did, I simply accept that I am and have lived most of my life that way and just don’t care to put in the effort and money to transition.  I’m naturally a pretty girly male but I have to add hair, makeup and clothing to present female and I also try to “tone down” my girliness in male form. True androgyny never worked for me; I always switched between male and female looks, but at least that allowed me to use public bathrooms without issue.     I’m very curious - did you have a set of people, ie friends, family, coworkers, who only knew you as “male” and another set who knew you as Sally, with only a few (like your wife) knowing both sides? Such was more or less the case with me. 
    • mattie22
      I feel like a fake sometimes I am not really transfeminine WELL UNDER THEAT UMBRALA but whatever i call it. Like i do not deserve it others know ealer than me and did not identify as their gender at birth well It is more like just enough of me did to get by growing up and there were not many other options on what else i could be and when i got older i just found out about the standard trans people feel like they're born in the wrong body and i saw my self as a male so this could not be me even though it did not comply fit me. even though there is a part of me that likes to be seen and treated like a woman and ideally would probably like to live at least 70 percent of my time as one and perhaps the rest as male but what does this make a freak. also, I am around people who do not like people like me and they are family and do not know. this makes me feel even worse. Sometimes I wonder if I m just some gnc male, who is just using this as an escape if I become a woman for real I do not have to deal with all the crap that comes with being a feminine bisexual male. There are so many layers.
    • MaeBe
      I bet you looked every pennies worth of that million! I'm sure, even beyond the courtier's interactions it was a very fun evening.
    • MaeBe
      I haven't been posting much, it's been a bit of a whirlwind: My wife took a job in WA State, meaning we're moving halfway across the country by the end of the Summer. I was told "it would be good if you had a new job by the end of the month", meaning I'm getting laid off at the same time. My eldest snuck booze while we were at our friends' house, had a bad interaction with his anti-depressants, and then had the huevos to lie that he wasn't drunk while accusing us of not trusting him. There's been a lot to process lately.   That said, I got called ma'am for the first time today while out. Twice! I can't stop thinking about it. Later, my dad showed up without plan to watch the Liverpool match and I was way more girled up (see ma'am) than he's ever seen me; hair, makeup, tight top, skinny jeans, and brand new sandals. At one point he pointed at my boob and asked, "is that 'enhancement'?". If you call a t-shirt bra enhancement, I guess? "Nope, that's just me!". Later, my boss came at me all passive-aggressive via chat after hours, too. I'm kind of tired with his -crap-. I won't have a job in two weeks, so it's cool to just assume I'm sabotaging things? K. /eyeroll   It's been an interesting day.
    • Sally Stone
      Post 12   “First Kiss”   It was October 29th, 2003.  My dear friend Willa had purchased tickets for the two of us to attend “Red Hot Halloween,” a public Halloween party held at the Sanctuary in downtown Pittsburgh.  The event was a fund raiser benefitting the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force.  It was a great cause but it was also the perfect opportunity to let the adventurous side of my feminine persona have a little fun.    My first question to Willa was: “What should I wear?”    “Are you kidding?” She responded.  “This is your opportunity to be the Sally of your dreams.  I suggest you dress to impress.”   My first thought was to dress naughty.  It was Halloween, so it could be the perfect venue for something with an erotic edge to it.  I thought about going as a dominatrix or a naughty French maid.  After we talked about it, and weighed the pros and cons, Willa and I decided against naughty, and instead, chose to wear the fanciest evening gowns we could find.  Willa bought an expensive, silver sequined gown, and matching high-heels just for the event.  Me, on the other hand, I couldn’t justify spending big bucks on an evening gown for a single event, so I took a less expensive route.  It is amazing what you can find on the sale racks at big department stores when you look hard enough.  For a mere 30-dollars, I found a black, sleeveless column gown with matching bolero jacket.  The dress had a slit up the right leg, and it went all the way to my upper thigh, very sexy.  Being a column dress, it was form-fitting, and hugged my curves like a glove.  To complement my dress, I wore black patent high-heel pumps, a long blonde wig, and a set of long red fingernails.  As I recall, it took me three-hours just to do my makeup.  The end result, though, was worth the effort, because I felt like a million bucks.  It’s so obvious, why girls love dressing up – it’s an unbelievable high!   Inside the club it was a sea of bodies and the costumes were amazing.  At one point, I was standing on a balcony that overlooked the dance floor.  I was nursing a cocktail and watching the crowd.  Suddenly, there was a gentleman standing next to me; I didn’t notice his approach.  He told me I looked fabulous and he offered to buy me another drink.  I declined his drink offer, but we struck up a conversation.  Being a little slow, it took me a while to realize he was hitting on me. I never imagined anyone would ever actually be attracted to Sally, which I think contributed to my cluelessness.  So, I was shocked, and initially, a little creeped out as well.  After all, I wasn't into guys, and this was new to me.  As we continued talking, and he kept throwing accolades my way, I went from being uncomfortable to actually being flattered.    The event, being an AIDS fund raiser, had me assuming this guy was hitting on me because he was gay, and he thought I was, as well.  I wanted to set the record straight, so I casually mentioned that I wasn’t gay.  To my amazement, he responded by saying: “neither am I.”  Okay, now what was I supposed to do?  I didn’t want to be rude, but I didn’t want to send the wrong message either.  While I was trying to decide how to tell him I wasn’t interested, he asked if he could kiss me.  Not sure what I was thinking at that moment, I said “okay.”  He kissed me, and as strange as it was, I gave into it, not pulling away or disengaging.  It wasn’t a super passionate kiss, but it was more than a friendly peck on the lips, and I actually enjoyed it.  When we separated; however, I got the sense his passion had cooled.  I could only assume that my response to his kiss sent some kind of message that I wasn’t interested.    Whatever it was he picked up on, it let me off the hook, and I didn’t have to rebuff any further advances.  For this I was grateful, but at the same time, I was actually a little disappointed.  Clearly, I wasn’t going to lead him on, but it was so gratifying to know I had sparked his interest.  Despite his diminished passion, and his obvious realization I wasn’t going to be his girl, he remained the perfect gentleman.  We chatted for a few minutes more, then he gave me the nicest smile.  Again, he commented on how terrific I looked.  Then he added, “maybe I’ll see you later.”    It was hard for me to reconcile how I could have garnered the attention of a man.  In my mind’s eye, I knew my feminine presentation didn’t completely mask my birth sex, so why would a self-proclaimed straight guy actually be interested in me?  Had it been the only time something like this would happen, I would have chalked it up to random chance.  But it wouldn’t be the last time a man would hit on me.  It doesn’t happen often, but it still occurs more than I would have guessed, and I'm always surprised.    I have never asked, but I have always been curious to know my would-be suitor’s motivations.  Were they hitting on me simply because they happened to be fond of trans women, or was their attraction triggered by connecting with my inner woman?  And, however unlikely, did they mistake me for a cis woman?  I guess it really doesn’t matter much one way or the other, because ultimately, I’m not looking for any kind of a relationship.  However, I’d be fibbing if I said I wasn’t at least a little interested in another opportunity to get kissed.   Hugs,   Sally
    • Ivy
    • Betty K
      Thanks Davie! And don’t worry, I didn’t take it that way. It’s just such a big topic I can only hope to tackle it one bit at a time.
    • KathyLauren
      This is not uncommon.  I started out going to the therapist in androgynous clothing: from the women's department, but plausibly masculine.  What made it easier was when I started going to a trans peer support group.  Most of the people there were presenting fully feminine, so I looked out of place in my androgynous clothing.  The peer pressure made it easier to dress in skirts.   I started out changing in a gender-neutral bathroom near the meeting room.  But I soon started wearing skirts in the car to and from the meetings.   Yes, it was nerve-wracking at first, but I soon realized that no one was looking and no one cared.    You can do this.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...