My all time FAVORITE live performer.....  

First Friday Pride and Saturday gig.

What Is Emotional Healing? Emotional healing is the process of acknowledging, allowing, accepting, integrating, and processing painful life experiences and strong emotions. It may involve empathy, self-regulation, self-compassion, self-acceptance, mindfulness, and integration.

Good morning.    well it rained this morning. That’s good, we need the rain. It’s been hot and dry.     Not much to say urologist appointment went as expected.  But I have another appointment in July for a cystoscope.  Now those are rather unpleasant if you’ve ever had one.  And if you haven’t, we’ll bless your heart sweetie.  lol. And if that is positive then surgery if it’s negative then who knows.   went out to dinner last night. Eating in today.   They go to Atlanta Friday sometime Friday for a Wedding. Eyob and Paul. Eyob was my son’s college roommate.   we’ll time to take the dog out and make my lunch.   have a good day.    

Mirrabooka, I more than accepted my old life, I often wondered if I was dreaming! Except for nagging dysphoria I was able to control for many years, I was living my dream. When my dysphoria increased and made me sick, I was persuaded to transition to survive, but my dream life was gone. I live comfortably without dysphoria effects, but nowhere near as happily.    Hugs,   Allie

Welcome to the forum, Paula, from another "older" woman. You'll find lots of information, ideas and support here as well as an amazingly wonderful group of people. Jump in where you feel comfortable. We are happy that you found us!!!

In a county that is 75% ultra- conservative, the Alliance Ithat is 3 years old takes it's next step in the community with Pride signs all around oyr biggest town's downtown area. I'm proud to be on the Board of Directors.  

I will be in Minneapolis from July 10 to the 15th for the GALA Choruses Festival  with about 40+ other Trans people.  The festival is a gathering of LGBTQ choruses from North America and points even further.  I know the folks in charge of the festival are doing heavy security work-ups which are sadly needed since as I said the choruses involved are Gay, Lesbian, Trans and Non-binary.  7 thousand people are currently signed up for it.  I hope the person who made the assault gets a good look at what will happen, 7K to one are impressive odds.  Hopefully someone there sees this and invites the victim as our guest to see how they can be supported.    A theme song of this gathering goes "We are a gentle. angry people and we are singing, singing for our lives!!"

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/06/05/alleged-assault-on-transgender-student-inside-hopkins-high-police-investigating     Horrible crime.  Students shouldn't have to fear assault, and that goes for cis-gen students as well as trans.  As someone who themselves was assaulted in school, I feel great empathy for this kid.   Carolyn Marie

Things are movin'!    

To what degree am I a binary woman and what does this mean in terms of surgery. 

I’ve just read most of this thread on a quiet day at work, and this quote from right at the start stuck with me. I agree, this is hard; it’s the hardest part of transitioning. It’s a paradox: the better I feel now, the more heartbroken I feel at the thought of how long it took me to get here.    Also the poem about grieving for your former self. Sometimes I feel that too, though generally I realise I am not grieving for someone who *was* but whom I always thought I might become. I kept waiting to grow into myself as that person, but it didn’t happen.    Oh, and I agree, that’s a very cute photo.

Congratulations!  I hope this one works out for you! I felt that way years ago, when GF caught me....or rather, a bit after that, because initially she was kinda scary.  But I figure if somebody like me can find love, anybody can.  So, here's to you!

What a great photo! Thanks for sharing! 

I do think hoping for rapid, dramatic physical changes from feminising hormones can be unrealistic. I’m 50, so I don’t know if really big physical changes are likely without surgeries. For me, the biggest changes have stemmed from the way I present in public and the way I feel on the inside, which is helped by my presentation in public. I have been on HRT for two years.

You look wonderful, Mae! I learned most of my make-up routine by watching YouTube videos and thru experimentation. Generally, less is the way to go, especially with foundation. I keep mine pretty simple.   Have fun with it! One of my looks I jokingly refer to as my raccoon look. 🤣

Thank you for sharing your story Kay and for sharing yourself with us. You are very courageous! Many blessings to you and your family as you take steps to being your more authentic self...