It's good to hear some positive notes through all the negativity about at the moment. I am not religious but do see a lot of positivity in many things they do, outside of the normal media attention.   Tracy

From what I understand, my GF's early life was influenced by supremacism.  She sniffed around the edges of a couple of groups, and ended up for a while as part of an armed communist organization.  Mostly, just looking for a place to belong, and something to struggle for (and against).  She's told me about some of it, no doubt just the heavily edited Cliff Notes version.  But she did say that hatred takes effort.  It isn't something you're born with, its something you learn or that develops, often through suffering.    I think perhaps it is easier for children of supremacists to leave and do something different than it is for people who come to it through their own experiences.  When they are shown kindness by folks who are different from them, it begins to crack the wall. 

Agree.

^^ THIS ^^

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-opposes-gender-affirming-care-hormone-therapy-minors/   No surprise whatsoever.  He has seemed very anti-science from the get-go.     Carolyn Marie

I've come to the understanding that most Angry and Intolerant people are that way because they haven't discovered their True Self.  So they lash out at others instead of seeking internal discovery ... whatever that is.  So for me ... it is not a Surprise but a welcome Celebration of the individuals Humanity.

https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/nintendo-introduces-transgender-character-in-american-remake-of-mario-game-video-games-super-mario-brothers-bros-vivian-trans-lgbtq-gay-lesbian-gender-identity-wok-life-american-japanese     Carolyn Marie

Bravo! @Vidanjali!   Their objective is to steer 'the Youth' in a different (and more conservative/intolerant) direction, but they don't realize they will actually push them away and lose them in the long run.

Me too @EasyE.  But we are ALL on our own unique Journey.  That's what makes it both Difficult and WONDERFUL. Your Journey is SPECIAL - Only you can experience it and appreciate it.  Speed On, Dear EasyE!!

That's good, glad things will resolve on their own. 😉

@awkward-yet-sweet, bummer about the road trip that isn't. Next time!   @KymmieL, good luck with the job hunting, you deserve it.   @Birdie, I'm happy for you that you have a new connection who seems so supportive!   @Ivy, enjoy!   The issue I referred to in my little grizzle the other day looks like it will resolve itself without conflict. Everything is good. 🙂

+ 1

cute skirt April   yup I always keep perfume n mascara n panties with stud earrings even in boy mode

One of the reasons that I hesitated to sign up to this forum originally was because I couldn't think of a femme name for myself. That stems from the fact that I wasn't seeking one, and still don't, although lately I have become a bit curious.   My username has geographical and astronomical connections. It is an indigenous word that describes the Southern Cross constellation.

Again, thank you for these posts @Sally Stone. As a person just embarking on their own exploration, seeing through an eagle’s eye is invaluable. I can understand the desire to compartmentalize. I’m coming out at 47 and have several military affiliated friends. I never served myself but know them via hobbies we share. I’d be nervous about coming out to those whom I didn’t know very well, but some I do know better are openly ‘queer’. Meeting these people definitely challenged my existing stereotypes about the military in a positive way; more regarding those who comprise the services as opposed to stated protocol/mission. 

I had heard a little about this, but not much. Thanks for posting it.

Can definitely relate. I always have something going on, whether it be painted nails, capris or just ‘a walk’. Just a reminder ‘she’ is there. 

A denim above the knee belted button-down shirt dress with sandals.  

Sounds delish so far. Today I made sourdough bread for the first time. My friend gifted me starter grains she got from etsy which came with a recipe. Giving someone sourdough starter as a gift is like giving a pet as a gift. Kind of a weird thing to do - somehow enriching, but, "here's your gift, more responsibility!" Anywho, it's a 3 day process to make this bread on top of feeding the starter weekly. It definitely needs some tweaking. The bread consistency came out great. Crusty crust and soft inside. But it didn't rise enough despite seeming to be proofed well. And I followed the instructions to make it as sour as possible which I prefer, but it's only mildly sour. I plan to try other recipes and compare. But my cousin who (willingly, lol) took some of my starter told me she recently made pancakes with it which were delicious. So I'll definitely try that soon too.