A crazy weekend

[Guest LizMarie]

I went to our local Renaissance Festival this weekend with a bunch of friends to whom I am already “out”. Getting there, one of my spiritual sisters, one of three women who have been there for me throughout, immediately started by disagreeing with me at dinner. What was she disagreeing about? In my own assessment (we’re our own worst critics, aren’t we?) I told her that while I was in in the gender “twilight zone” that I thought I was still more male than female. “Wrong,” she said, and insisted so. So she made a contest out of proving me wrong too.

I had already told her I had planned on “just being me” for the duration of the fest, whatever that meant. I was going to use my voice with male resonance suppressed, but I can’t raise pitch much because of that paralyzed vocal cord. I wasn’t going to overdress female, or focus on makeup, or anything else. I was going to let me hair hang out (it’s long except for the male pattern baldness areas on top), wear my silver stud earrings, wear a feminine hat, wear feminine jeans and either feminine or gender neutral tops. I also ended up wearing a white woman’s sweater both days as it was cool but not cold out.

Net result? Saturday I was not once gendered male and I was gendered female 5 times. Now this was with no facial makeup whatever to cover beard shadow. But I have to admit that the longer I am on HRT, the lighter the facial hairs are becoming. They’re not gone, just lighter in color. Anyway, in a crowd of 10 people, I was gendered female multiple times.

Then came Sunday. Sunday morning I decided to swap to my silver hoop earrings and wear a neutral lipstick but still no other makeup. Saturday I’d gone au naturelle under a gender neutral t-shirt but Sunday I wore my bra as Saturday turned out to be more abrasive that I’d expected! (Lesson learned!)

So what happened Sunday? On Sunday she and I went shopping, just the two of us, and I was gendered female 12 times by 2pm, at which point we rejoined the larger group. And I used the women’s restroom for the first time. My friend was right about that too – no one noticed and no one cared.

Suddenly I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about being able to target full time in the July-September 2014 time frame as I’ve been planning. Oh, and when I relay this story to my therapist, she is just going to laugh and laugh at me.

[Guest Nicole B]

That's awesome Liz. It's very affirming to be gendered correctly. As for the restroom...I too, find it to be a non event. Glad to hear you had a great experience.

Nicole B

[Drea]

Cool Liz, sounds like a good time.

Too bad we didn't cross paths, but I wouldn't want to disturb your friend time.

.

[JenniferB]

That is cool Liz. It's nice to get gender affirmation. It's only going to get better.

Jenny

[VickySGV]

Some bets are great to lose!!

[Guest LizMarie]

Here's a photo of old maid Liz (also in my gallery) at the Ren Fest, in what I thought was fairly androgynous mode but which my friend proved, over and over, was definitely on the female side of the line. One thing that I realized when she told me to really look at myself rather than just glancing at myself as I've been wont to do was that my hips are now wider than my chest. I confirmed this with the measuring tape too. My bra band size remains a 38 inches but the hips are now 38.5 inches.

Oh, and Drea, I gave you our Sunday times in case you might be there. I didn't want to crowd you but I wanted you to know we were there if you were going to be there. I'm sorry I missed you! *hugs*

[Guest]

Sounds like you had a really great experience Liz.

Congratulations on the Male Fail.

Huggs,

Joann

[Carolyn Marie]

Great report, Liz. I'm glad you had a great time, and not at all surprised at how things went. Looking at your photo, I would take you for female 10 times out of 10. Like Jennifer said, more good things to come.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Mia J]

Sounds like you had a great time Liz.

Glad to hear it.

Mia

[Guest]

Wow Kiddo! You look great! Soon you will never have to go into the men's room again. Three cheers and cartwheels on your progress. Hug. JodyAnn

[VickySGV]

From that picture, you did not just lose the contest, you had already lost your mind for even thinking about it!! Shucks!

Looking good!!!