Hello Everyone.

[Guest Rebecca Quentin]

Hello everyone,

My name is Rebecca and after a lot of searching around online, its great to have finally found a support site.

I had cross-dressed on & off for the past 14 years or so (I'm 33 now) but over the past year my confidence to be fully dressed has been greatly helped by my very very supportive close friends. They have not judged me, supported me, given me make-up tips and helped me dress up for a club-night just over a month ago (where even some friends did not recognise me...even after I had said "hello" to them!).

I honestly still don't know what I am on the transgender spectrum. Its not a fetishistic thing for me (well, unless I'm wearing seriously sexy undies, heh), I just feel far more comfortable when dressed en-femme. Mostly I dress when at home on my own, sometimes when in the company of close friends, and so far once (at above-mentioned club-night).

Anyway, its great to be here.

Rebecca.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Good morning, Rebecca!

I just got here and I would like to welcome you to the Playground!

I'll get you some nice hot coco that I make by the potfull and some nice pastry for you...

Well, I'm so glad that you are finding yourself...remember that the gender spectrum is BIG...lots and lots of different people are at different places there

Also it's nice that you dress in front of close friends...that is very comfortable, isn't it?

Well, this site is safe from meanies..we work hard to keep it that way and you can express yourself here as you like!

So, enjoy yourself and relax......OK?

Wonderful!

XXOO

Donna Jean

[Guest Zabrak]

Welcome to Laura's Playground, Rebecca.

You've come to the right place if you want more support or just looking for more friends that understand.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME

Hello - glad you found us. This site is full of really nice people and it is a diverse place. So look around and see what you think. POST POST POST. Like Donna jean says, we moderate it and try to keep it clean and sfe. It is G-rated (Laura says PG-13) and is non-judgemental.

So welcome - glad to meet you.

Lizzy

[Sally]

Hello, Rebecca,

It is so nice to have you join our family here at Laura's.

We have a very diverse group and as mentioned we are safe and non-judgemental.

We are also the friendliest group anywhere.

Sit back and just see how many people come to greet you.

Love ya,

Sally

[Paula ult]

Hey Rebecca, welcome to the Playground, see you have met some of the welcoming committee, DJ summed it up, the gender umbrella is large, just take your time finding your way, if there is a support group in your area that is a good place to start, you can contact your local LGBT center for info.

HUGS!

Paula

[Guest mia 1]

Rebecca the more you are here (on this site) the more you will appreciate what transpires here it is not ONLY a friendly site but most important a support site to keep you from going crazy trying to understand who/what you are..believe this site will keep you same and in those dark moments lift you up far more than you can imagine right now...stay with us and you will see the beauty of your new found friends.......Mia

[Guest Rebecca Quentin]

Thank you all so much for the very warm welcome.

[Guest joe0117]

Welcome to the playground, Rebecca!!!

It is very nice to have you here. It really is the friendlies place on Earth!

Joe

[Guest Alyssa Leigh]

Hi Rebecca

Welcome to the playground everyone is so nice here, so make yourslef comfortable and more will be by soon to greet you.

Alyssa

[Guest Anthelia]

Greetings Rebecca,

As others have stated this is a wonderful, helpful, and friendly place.

--Lauren

[Guest Pól]

Welcome to the playground, Rebecca!

[Guest Ashlee]

Hello Rebecca,

Welcome to the playground!

Lots of great people here, all willing to help you find your place on the spectrum.

Have you discussed this with a gender therapist yet? That is an important first step and will really help you to find out who you are.

Its soooo cool to have supportive friends, and to be able to have the confidence to go out, that must have been fun!

{HUGS}

Ashlee

[Guest Rebecca Quentin]

Thanks for the suggestion Ashlee. I haven't spoken with a gender therapist at all yet. I do have a friend who's currently doing a masters (research) degree in transgender studies. I speak with her regularly, but not sure if that would count so to speak.

Certainly I'm still pretty muddled about who I am. One of my other friends has said to me that she thinks that's OK. That's its OK to just be me, without definition or label. I agree that one shouldn't be defined by a label, but they can be useful.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Thanks for the suggestion Ashlee. I haven't spoken with a gender therapist at all yet. I do have a friend who's currently doing a masters (research) degree in transgender studies. I speak with her regularly, but not sure if that would count so to speak.

Certainly I'm still pretty muddled about who I am. One of my other friends has said to me that she thinks that's OK. That's its OK to just be me, without definition or label. I agree that one shouldn't be defined by a label, but they can be useful.

Yes and no - the friend was trying to be helpful - and was correct - nothing wrong with you as you are. But you seen still confused.

Self diagnosis usually does not work well. I would still see a gender specialist Therapist. They are really more like a friend when you get to know them and they have experience with gender dysphoria - and are trained to offer options to maintain your mental health.

Just some thoughts.

Lizzy

[Guest Ashlee]

Thanks for the suggestion Ashlee. I haven't spoken with a gender therapist at all yet. I do have a friend who's currently doing a masters (research) degree in transgender studies. I speak with her regularly, but not sure if that would count so to speak.

Certainly I'm still pretty muddled about who I am. One of my other friends has said to me that she thinks that's OK. That's its OK to just be me, without definition or label. I agree that one shouldn't be defined by a label, but they can be useful.

You know what, its taken me almost 40 years to be happy with myself. I'm OK with myself and accept me for what I am.

As crossdressers, I feel we are kind of special. We are for the most part, happy being male, and are happy when we can temporarily become "female." Some may call us a bit selfish. But, it does add to the confusion of what we are.

A transgendered person has a goal in mind - to live their life out as the gender they feel they should have been born as. Thats a pretty straightforward goal. What "end goal" do we as crossdressers have?

Thats why its OK to just be who you are, what you are and enjoy it! Accept that you may be a crossdresser and thats all fine and dandy! Maybe, after talking to a gender therapist, you find that there is more to it than just crossdressing and you know what? Thats OK too.

Don't get caught up in labels. It will drive you crazy! Just take it one day at a time and enjoy life the way you want.

{HUGS}

Ashlee