Girlfriend Power!

[Guest DianeATL]

One of the things that I have long envied are the close girlfriends that women enjoy. They get together to laugh, share, or cry but they are there for each other. They tell each other everything and put their problems and emotions out there on the table for all to see.

Well I guess I am starting to transition, I now have girlfriends. Knowing how rough my post shopping experience was the other day, when I put out a call and said I needed to get out last night, two of my girlfriends were ready to join me. It was a magical night for me. Again, checking off baby steps like doing a lot of driving, eating dinner, and just hanging out. We shared a lot of laughs and giggled as one kept flirting with the waiter. But we also tackled tough issues. They cared about me and we had a serous sharing about where I am and where I want to go. BTW they are both girls like us, one is on HRT and full time over 5 years and the other is just ahead of me going out for the firs time earlier this year, but already scheduling doctor's appointments wanting to get on HRT, which should be interesting as she is already so darn feminine she passes with no problem. It was the deepest and most heart to heart conversation I have ever had in person with anyone about my feelings, status, and plans. She was counseling both of us newbies and most importantly, trying to protect us. She really cared and wanted to make sure we were not rushing into things and were prepared for what was yet to come. She shared her own journey with all of the good, bad and ugly.

I have always kept my feelings and emotions bottled up but I had no problem pouring out everything to these great girls. They listened, they probed, they UNDERSTOOD, and they CARED. I was feeling a sense of comfort like never before.

I didn't get home until about 1:30 but I had to take a few minutes to soak it all in. So I fixed a night cap and went outside onto my patio and just basked in the glow of the evening, feeling the breeze on bare legs. I am so blessed to have girlfriends.

[Charlize]

Thanks for sharing,

Having caring friends is such a blessing. I have been fortunate to be able to share with cis women but also with the people here. This is never the same as real life adventures but as i read through others journeys i can see how much we share. Doing that is so important either here or in real time.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Cyndee]

Girlfriends are the best, I love the depth of converstations I have with mine. It's makes a huge difference not being alone in this journey. Nice picture Diane !

Enjoy and giggle

Cynthia -

[Guest]

Thanx for Sharing Diane.

You are so blessed to have such special girlfriends.

I hope you will have many more successful outings.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest Carla_Davis]

_{Hi Diane,}

_{I agree with you about how caring girlfriends can be.}

_{You may find what I am about to say unusual , but when I was at the LGBT Community Center of NYC, I belonged to 5 different Lesbian Support Groups.}

_{All of these ladies accepted and respected me as female.}

_{One reason that I joined these groups was to be accepted as female and also, I had a severe need to "Unload" my inner feelings to caring women and one of these groups met weekly which was a big help to me. I shed Many, Many Tears in these groups and they were always there to Comfort &Support me.}

_{I never had any Sexual Attraction to any of the members, I only felt more comfortable and at ease around female.}

_{One of the groups invited me to there Annual Dance. I attended but was very shy and just sat and listened to the music.}

_{2 of the women grabbed my hands and pulled me onto the Dance Floor. I became so happy, I danced all night and enjoyed myself.}

_{I was never Happier, I was always concerned that everyone would watch me because I was not a good dancer.}

_{One group even wanted to make me an "Honorary Lesbian".}

_{I wouldn't recommend my choices to others, but it was Very Helpful to me in Coming-Out and Transitioning.}

_{At the time, I was experiencing terrible conditions at home and I needed to be around people who Cared About and Loved me because my family was not.}

_{Even thou my Trans Groups helped me earlier in my Transition, The Lesbian Groups were more helpful to me in Transitioning Happy.}

_{One other reason it may have been so successful to me was that I was a Volunteer at the Center and everyone knew me.}

_{Also, being a volunteer helped me because I had to get out of my house, take public transportation, and be around the public.}

_{I was never discriminated by the public, and every day I went out, My Self-Esteem and Confidence increased.}

_Hugs,

_Carla

[Guest Kontessa]

Hi Diane,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful evening, and conversations, with us! You look great in that new photo. I've found that having true girl friends is AWESOME. Way more so than boy friends - with guys you had to 'man-up' - and it was always a coach and player type of atmosphere with them. With gals, it is more social then sporting - discussing personal things that guys would never consider talking about with other guys. Guys have a tendency to compete with each other while gals are far more supportive of each other. Glad you had a great time!!!

Be Safe Out There & Have Fun!!! You deserve it! In fact...WE ALL DESERVE IT!!!

Many hugs and best wished to you, and your loved ones!

Kontessa

[Guest DianeATL]

Thanks for your responses - Carla - great tip - if the lesbians accept us they could be a great resource.

Kontessa you are so right.- everything is a competition with the guys, they are already thinking about how they can one up you and not listening. And the depth of most guy talk is Sports Center. I've never been around guys sharing any real feelings or even listening. I love my besties.

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Diane,

I do not have enough words to describe how much My Lesbian Support Groups helped me.

I even was involved in a Lesbian Speed Dating Group. I was not looking for a date, but was looking forward to speaking to all the ladies.

Not 1 woman had any complaints with me being in the group. You only get to speak 2-5 minutes with each person and there must have been 30-40 ladies in the group.

I really got to know their personalities. I DID get 1 date, but we never went out only chatted on the telephone.

At one point, I was a volunteer for the Center dances, and I became interested in a man.

When I returned to my Weekly Lesbian Support Group, I broke down in tears because I told then that I didn't think that I should continue with the group because I was interested in man.

They were so kind to me and told me "You can stay with the Group" but I felt it wasn't fair to the other members of the Group.

Answering these posts are bringing back Wonderful Memories of Support for me when I was Suicidal from the way my family was treating me.

Hugs,

Carla

Hugs,

Carla