Hello!

[Raven Moon]

Hello everyone, I'm Raven (MtF)

 

After putting it off too long I've decided to proceed with my transition. I'm currently 64 years old. My story is probably kind of typical... I knew something was "wrong" when I was about 4 or 5. I remember asking my mom to paint my nails red "like the other girls" I played with, and her telling me I was a little boy, and me telling her I wasn't! 😆 I have another empty of her putting a frilly while dress on me... I don't remember where it came from... but she asked me if I wanted to try it on. 🤷‍♀️

 

I never liked getting my hair cut, and by the time I was in middle school I stopped cutting it. By the time I was in high school it was almost to my waist. The whole glam/glitter rock thing was popular in the early 70s, so I got away with polishing my nails and dressing androgynously. I'm surprised I never got beat up, but I'm also small (5'4") so I guess I wasn't a threat to anyone. lol

 

As older members will remember, things were different back then. I had heard about Christine Jorgensen when I was a kid. But that was something you had to go to another country for, etc. There was no HRT or FFS, etc. 

 

I've been a musician since I was around 12 or 13, playing guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. Being in bands in the 70s afforded me the opportunity to continue to dress androgynously and keep my hair long. But in the late 70s, during the punk/new wave movement I cut it short and spiky, as was the fashion.

 

I've gone through phases of appearance with short and long hair. I was married for 9 years, and been divorced almost 10. After I got divorced my dysphoria kicked in hard, and I decided to look into transitioning. The problem though was money. I'm a graphic artist, and the the whole graphics and printing industry took a nose dive. I went from making a lot of money to barely paying my rent. I was also homeless for a short time. Currently I'm very androgynous looking again. My BFF told me I dress like a butch girl. I do get addressed as "miss" or "ma'am" if they don't see my face... It's the hair and my small size. But I don't mind! lol 

 

While I have an ok figure (for my age) and nice legs (I was never very masculine looking), I'm half Italian and as Ive gotten older have heavy beard growth, which I've always hated. I can shave and still have a 5 o'clock shadow eight away. 🙁 And while my face isn't extremely masculine, I do need FFS. Mostly my nose. After a while it seemed hopeless and I gave up on the idea. 

 

I have quite a few trans female friends, and even play in a band with one. One of my friends recently told me that NY now pays for trans surgeries via Medicaid, which I'm already on, so I just switched my health plan to Amida Care which specializes in trans healthcare. I wish I had known this in 2017 when the this coverage started, but better late than never I guess! 

 

Anyway, happy to have found this place. 

 

Raven 

 

 

[Mmindy]

Hello Raven,

 

You'll find that there are quite a few band members here on TransPulseForums. I'm also a late bloomer when it comes to transitioning MtF. I'm 65, semiretired from Public Safety, and the Chemical Tank Truck industry. As you stated, I also felt as though I should have been a girl as early as preteen. I have always be a nurture, empathetic and caregiver for my younger siblings. I hope you find this place as helpful as I do.

 

Best wishes, stay positive, and motivated.

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Robin.C]

Wonderful to hear you have found a way forward.

There are quite a few musicians as well as those who play in bands.

 

Hugs

Robyn

[Charlize]

Welcome Raven.  I went full time at 63 and at 74 i can only say that life has been better than i ever thought it could be.

Enjoy your time here.  Between being here and seeing a gender therapist i've found peace.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Ivy]

Welcome Raven 

[Delcina B]

Welcome Raven! Glad you're here! Hope you find the wonderful support, advice & acceptance here as I have.

 

Hugs!

Delcina