A newbie's first post...

[Guest Purplez]

I have been reading through various thread topics for a couple hours now. I only joined today... Just thought I would go ahead and say, "Hello" now. I don't know how supportive this site is yet; however, I hope it is very supportive. I look forward to getting to know you all.

[Charlize]

Welcome to Laura's. Sometimes i think that we get as much support here as we need. It certainly has been my experience that i've gained by reading and responding to others as they go throughout the highs and lows of gender issues. I found the support i need here and i hope you find that as well.

Hugs,

Charlize

[MaryEllen]

Hello Purplez,

Welcome to Laura's Playground.

MaryEllen

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Hi Purplez,

Welcome to the playground! There are lots of nice people here, and they are very supportive. I have had my share of problems, and besides my best friend who is also trans, Laura's has been my primary support (I simply cannot afford the gas to drive to the nearest trans support group). I find it really helpful to read other folks posts, and to post a few myself. I look forward to more of yours.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Guest Faith gibson]

Hi Purplex,

I'd love to hear somethoing about you. Welcome and tell us a few things.

Faith

[Carolyn Marie]

Welcome to the Playground, Purplez. I'm glad you've begun to look around already. Please post any comments or questions in any thread, or start one of your own. We'll try to help in any way we can.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Purplez]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Faith, I don't really know where to start... There is a lot to my story to be honest...

[Guest]

Welcome to Laura's. This place is filled with alot of info and nice, supportive members. No worries there! Hope you enjoy your time here.

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Hi Purplez,

I would start with just a few basics, do you have a name that you would like to be called? I have found it easier to tell about myself a little at a time since I have a long history. So feel free to give us details as you like, no big rush.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Guest April63]

Hi Purplez,

I hope you find this site to be helpful. I know a lot of us have.

April

[Guest saoirse]

hi purplez .there are some great people here .

[Guest ravenhawwk]

Hi Purplez,

Welcome I am also new to the forum and wanted to say "Hello"...

Alex

[Guest princessofdarkness]

Hello Purplez! I'd love to learn more about; on your time of course. Share it when you want, I know it can be hard to start introducing yourself. What are some of your interests? How did you come around to discovering your true gender identity? If it wasn't always clear to you, that is.

I hope I can do my part to make you feel as supported and welcome as possible. I hope we can be friends!

Princess

[Guest Purplez]

First of all I want to thank everyone else that has made me feel welcome.

Stephanie: I have not picked a name just yet... All I have is my given name at birth, which I don't really like being called... So I am officially nameless I suppose. LOL

Princess: I enjoy playing World of Warcraft when I have time or expanding my knowledge in physics, math, or astronomy.

As far as when I knew I was trans, I guess I had signs leading up to this discovery that didn't seem clear until my MtF friend (one of my best friends) and I were talking one day and she asked, "are you sure you're not trans?". Then it all kind of clicked from there... I started remembering all the signs that didn't seem to register till then. I remember between ages 5-10, I use to pray I would be a male. I also use to think I wasn't living in reality that I would wake up one day in another dimension (which would be the real world- kind of like the matrix I suppose...) and realize I was male all along and the parts I was born with in this dimension was just an illusion. I always had this satisfaction as a kid and even as a teen and up to now, when I dressed/dress like a male, I feel better about what I look like than if I were dressing like a female (do NOT feel comfortable in female clothes though I have tried in the past). When I was about 16-17 I came out as a lesbian, because I knew I liked females. I thought that was what I was since I had never even heard of trans before. Although, over time I hated to be touched in a sexual way, because I didn't like my body parts. I fell in depression in my teen years but it never truly ever went away... So again, more signs. Then over time I reflected on all these things more and more and realized things like; if I did transition, I would be more comfortable with being touched when being intimate, etc.

So I guess I just always wanted to be a male, I just suppressed a lot of it trying to accept what I was born with in the physical form thinking there was nothing else that could be done to change it... However, now I know I can change those things and it makes me very excited about my future. Although at times I do feel depressed, but I do try to keep positive the best I can till I can start the process. I plan on starting therapy very soon...

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Hi nameless guy,

I had a similar matrix kind of feeling when I was young, wow, that seems to be common with us, since you are not the only trans person to say the same sort of thing. I thought that I must have been a changling, or an alien child dropped off without proper memories or something. I just knew that I was not like my parents at all. My fantasy life has always been strong, and my daydreams always had me turning into a girl by some powerful scientific or magical means. Yeah, I am a sometimes gamer geek as well. I have always liked playing female characters in RPGs myself. I also really like wearing skirts. I even took a utilikilt with me to the Persian Gulf, just so that I could wear a skirt occasionally. It helped me a lot. I still have that well worn Utilikilt, but now I am sitting at the computer wearing a real honest to goodness skirt, and I do wear it to go shopping and stuff now. It is amazing how that makes me feel.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Guest April63]

Hey Nameless (lol),

I played World of Warcraft back when it first came out a bit. I didn't like paying so much for it so I stopped. About a year ago, I started playing a little bit. It was nice being able to make female characters. Especially the really feminine ones, like Blood Elves. But I still don't want to be paying so much, so I switched to Starcraft II. I'm sure there are some more WoW players here.

I was kind of like you, in that for a while I wanted to be a girl, but didn't think it was possible. I didn't know about transgender people, so I just buried it until one day I found out. Then I started asking myself if that was me, and the journey continues. I hope you find a good therapist!

Oh, and I'm sure you'll find a name, and as long as it's not a legal name, you can change it pretty easily.

April

[gennee]

Hi Purplez and welcome to Laura's.

[Guest miss kindheart]

Hi Purple Z,
<<< 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 all look forward to seeing you.
vanna

[Guest Jenny_W]

Hi Purplez,

I think you'll find the folk around here to be very supportive and ready to listen.

Welcome.

xx Jen