You’re very welcome.

Thanks for that info & yes it totally makes sense.

Yes, I'm one of the Baby Boomer generation you speak of.  I am proud of the "globalists" of the past, who accomplished things like the Marshall Plan, the creation of NATO, the efforts to bring peace to places like Kosovo and the efforts to fight the Taliban and free Qatar from Iraqi aggression, as well as the coordinated efforts in space exploration, and fighting worldwide hunger and disease, including Covid.   There were many, many mistakes made as well, and all my Boomer friends and relatives regret those.  But I don't believe for a minute that the U.S. would be better off isolating itself and turning back the clock 100 or 150 years.  Those were NOT the "good old days" for most people.   I'm not sure what kind of "new republic" you are hoping for.  But based on your prior statements about the world you desire, it is not a republic I wish to live in.  Isolationism is not the panacea you think it will be, @awkward-yet-sweet.  I'll leave it at that.   Carolyn Marie

Thanks for this first-hand account of the festivities, @VickySGV.  Congratulations to the Chorus and all who were recognized.   HUGS   Carolyn Marie

Wow, that is a sad story. I am so sorry you had to endure that as a child. As the others have said, yes, you can quite easily be trans and asexual, and many people are. Being trans is not a sexuality, and any suggestions to the contrary are considered fringe beliefs nowadays. Having said that, you would not necessarily “be classed as trans for liking to dress up in lingerie occasionally “. You may well be trans, but a habit of crossdressing now and then doesn’t necessarily make you so; the question of transness goes deeper than that. As the others have said, a good therapist (one who practices the gender affirming model and not so-called “exploratory therapy”AKA conversion therapy) can help you discover the true nature of your gender identity. Only you can know what this is, but it can take the right questions to uncover it.    Just to be clear, studies suggest that many if not most trans women have been sexually aroused by crossdressing at one time or another, usually pre-transition, but that does not mean they have a fetish. Studies also suggest — as do my cis girlfriends — that many cis women have been aroused by wearing certain clothes too. To me it makes perfect sense that this arousal might be greater in certain pre-transition trans women, due to both (a) the stigma attached to their so-called crossdressing, and (b) how rarely they get to glimpse themselves as women. Added to which, I hear that many bi/lesbian cis women are turned on by their own reflections (Billie Eilish is the latest to admit it), so why shouldn’t bi/lesbian trans women be too? 

I can give myself a sorta Byline on this one since I was there.   The Los Angeles City Council had its annual session where they recognize and declare June as Pride Month in the city today and The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles was both invited to perform for the council and received an official recognition for its service to the community.     Along with TCLA, a Trans Mariachi Orchestra by the name of Mariachis Arcoiris De Los Angeles  was also honored and did a variety of their musical numbers. Four other Trans community activists and the Connie Norman Center For Transgender Empowerment which is also active in the city through a number of Trans Health organizations and other services to the Trans Latine community and others for our Asian and Pacific Islander populations as well.  Along with some darn big poster sized certificates that were done by the L.A. City Calligraphy department, we also had a good catered lunch which was a combination of cultural foods of the recipients.    The only downside to the day was a group of people protesting a problem with the Los Angeles City Board Of Education which is not even in the City Hall there.  They were noisy but did not interfere or for that matter have any problems with the pride flagged luncheon going on the City Hall forecourt. 

I do like the idea of one quick shock.  Maybe with the rest of my social circle when I feel comfortable.  I am just not a very social person, lol.  Thank you for your input, it is helpful

Sounds ok to me.

I'm sorry you had to endure that trauma, dear. I also do hope you'll find a good and effective therapist to work through this as you're able. It's one thing to endure abuse and injury, and another for it to rule your life to the extent it does. I hope you'll find your way to greater freedom.   To answer your question,   1. Gender and sexuality are two different things. Yes, they affect each other and even therefore intersect in ways. But they are ultimately two separate aspects of a person.   2. Please be aware that any inference to cross-dressing or transgender necessarily being a sexual fetish is false. Indeed, some folks are sexually aroused by cross-dressing. But it is definitely not a prerequisite to being trans or a cross-dresser.   3. Each of us is free to identify our sexuality as we see fit. I just wanted to point out that asexuality as a "sexual" orientation is different from being sex-averse as the result of trauma. Seeing as you experienced the trauma you wrote about before puberty, that is before you became sexually mature, it may be the case your sexuality was as if suppressed by the trauma. I'm suggesting that as far as asexuality as orientation goes, you may or may not be because your sex-aversion seems to have velied that part of you some way or another.   If you're able to find a therapist qualified in treating trauma and transgender knowledge, it's within the realm of possibilities that many suppressed aspects of your personality may come to light.   And to disclose, I am trans and asexual.

Welcome to TransPulseForums @Mwm684   It’s nice to meet you and I hope you.   Best wishes, stay positive and motivated.   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

Thank you all for your kind replies! ☺️ I should have started I went to therapy on my dysphoria several years. Also, I very briefly mentioned feeling transgender to my dr and that I had been to therapy but wasn’t super talkative about it. That was like a year and a half ago. Since it’s my family physician, I suppose that’s why I feel unsure how to go in. As I have had therapy, plus live in Canada where informed consent will allow me to start hrt, I truly feel it’s my next step

Once again, we have been asked to bring the following Research Study to your attention which we are happy to do.   Purpose and Scope of Research Study My name is Chloe. I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist studying on the Clinical Psychology Doctorate at Lancaster University UK. I am reaching out to ask for support regarding a research project I am undertaking to understand how menstrual and gynaecological experiences / difficulties such as Pre-menstrual syndrome, Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, endometriosis, PCOS etc impact transgender and gender diverse people (assigned female at birth & above the age of 18). This study has gained appropriate ethical approval and experts by experience have been consulted in the process. The study seeks to amplify personal stories and accounts of the impact of such difficulties. By completing this published research, I hope to add to the knowledge of health care providers so that the care and support available to transgender and gender diverse people is improved. By taking part in the study participants will also be entered into a draw to win a £50 amazon voucher. The study will require a short interview via microsoft teams - the questions have received ethical approval but will be semi structured to be more conversational and to ensure no pressure to answer any question Institution Supervising Research Study Lancaster University - clinical psychology doctorate programme Web Address for Study Participation https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3n6uRj1kojcZuqq

That is entirely up to you.  How much trouble it is worth is something that only you can judge.   In my reasoning, I figured that one quick shock to everyone was less painful to me (and them) than a lifetime of what-the-heck? moments.  My HRT took only about four months to  make significant changes to my face and body.  Had I waited any longer to come out, people would have been puzzled, and some of the questions and comments would have been unkind.  By standing up at a community meeting, or sending out a mass email, I created peer pressure to normalize my transition ("Everyone else knows, too, so it's no secret.").  They could get their gossiping over with quickly and I could get on with living my life normally as the new me.    I took the same approach with my documentation.  Once I was "out", I applied for my name and gender change at the earliest possible moment, so all my paperwork was consistent with my presentation in as short a time as was bureaucratically possible.   But what works for me isn't necessarily what will work for you.  You are in a different country, though it appears to be a less hostile part of your country than some.  You will have to take into account the political and social atmosphere where you live, as well as your own goals and needs.

My hope Is that this event will finally convince some of our Republican brethren that Trump is not going to save America. The Baby Boomer Generation's idea of being polite and voting for the "lesser of 2 evils" and tolerating globalists has led to all of this. The fix is in, and it is time for a new republic.

In Putin's Russia, you don't dare get near a window. There is no reality any more. I suppose that is the point.

I am sorry you had such a traumatic childhood experience.   There are many of us trans folks who are asexual.  It is not at all uncommon.  Sometimes it is due to traumatic childhood experiences, sometimes for other reasons, sometimes for no discernible reason at all.    As Carolyn Marie said, you get all sexual variations in both trans and cis people.  I strongly second her recommendation to see a therapist.

My whole approach to this has generally been telling a handful of people very close to me, and nobody else.  I feel they don't really need to know?  Is that a wrong assumption?  I was just going to do my HRT and if they see changes in me they can ask.  I don't really like sharing info with people.  Will this approach be more trouble than it is worth?

Yes, you would still be considered transgender if you are asexual.  Sexuality and gender preference are separate issues entirely, so one can be trans - desiring to be or dress as someone of the opposite gender (including cross-dressers), and also be Gay, Lesbian, bi-sexual, asexual or pan sexual.   I am also very sorry that you had to endure such mistreatment as a child.  That must have been a horrifying and traumatic time.  I hope that have been or are now seeing a therapist to help with those experiences.   Carolyn Marie

Looking for a bit of advice or encouragement really. I'm 5 weeks on T and excited about any new body hair. I'm not getting much, but I've noticed more around my pubic area and bumhole lol, sorry if tmi. I've also a got a few more thigh hairs and lower leg hair is growing longer.   I know it's very early days so I wasn't expecting facial hair at all for a few years, but I definitely seem to have more longer blonde peach fuzz hairs. Pre T I had some anyway and I used to use hair removal cream and pluck, because I did get some darker hairs I didn't like. So I don't know if this is my natural hair because I haven't been plucking so much and using hair removal cream. I really want to have facial hair, but also I am worried that I look like a cis woman with some facial hair. I certainly am far from passing at the mo. Basically I'd love to embrace the hair and not shave. I'm already excited by more moustache hair that's growing through, however the hair is only on the sides frustratingly, rather than the middle also. I think shaving could be a euphoric experience, but could make me look more fem. I'm not sure if I should leave peach fuzz or shave. Do teen boys shave or leave their chin hair? I'm 34 and don't want to look like a teen. Want did anyone else decide to do?

Well, those are his besties after all, as he is very fond of saying.  He was/is even "in love" with Kim Jong Un.  They do very much want him to win in November.   Carolyn Marie