Welcome to Trans Pulse, @Wisp!  You made a good choice by joining us, and I hope you find the forums helpful and our members friendly.  Please look around and post wherever you like.  If you need support, we'll be there for you.   HUGS   Carolyn Marie

i did my name change a couple days ago :) very happy about that. it was a very busy day and i also had to work yesterday, but today i'm off work. im glad i finally got around to it. my friend went along with me since i was nervous which meant a lot to me, i haven't had anyone do something for me like that before

Mr. Trump has been a godsend for liberal parties and politicians all over the world, except those already under the totalitarian thumb.  I think it may even affect Germany, where backlash against the AfD is growing, in part based on support for the AfD from Vance and Trump.   Carolyn Marie

So, I'm still kind of in the closet it. I've come out to my best friend, and she was super supportive, as I knew she would be. I've learned that coming out can be 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳 stressful! I'd heard that it is, but I'd never thought I'd go through it myself. But here we are. I've of course gotten my friend's full support, but that's now's the bigger challenge: coming out to my family. I only plan to come out to my closer family members, at least until I start feeling more confident 'n stuff, but it's less of that I'm going to do it and more of 𝘩𝘰𝘸 I'm going to do it. I'll probably write letters. I live with my parents, but I have bad anxiety, and I don't think I'd be able to do it in person. But I also don't think I'm gonna come out to my parents first, I'm going to come out to my older brother first. I'm going to tell him over text, on his day off of work (Tuesday). I already have something written out. I wish I could see the future and automatically know how he's going to react, but I can't, so really I can only hope it goes well. We have a decently good relationship, so I hope he'll be at the very least open minded.   I don't think I need tips, though if anyone thinks they have any useful advice, I wouldn't mind taking it. I guess I just needed a place to rant. Document my progress. I'll update on how it goes when I tell him. Have a good day/night.

Good afternoon, morning thread!   My local library did their annual fundraiser which included a 'silent auction'. One of the items was a spray tan/makeover/photoshoot. I bid once, then twice, and won. (I usually donate to the library since I used it so much, but hadn't for a while, so nice little bonus).    I've actually done the spray tan at the same establishment as the one that was won, and was glad to see that the photographer's portfolio categories included one called "Pride". No idea when it will happen, but should be fun. 

Hi, Wisp! Welcome to TGP!! You'll find lots of information and many, wonderful people here. Most of all, you're in a safe space and among people who accept you for who you are. Wander around, ask questions and jump in where you're comfortable.   Take some time to read through our Community Rules that may answer some of your questions about what's permissible to post. Also, there's a forum for teens where you might find more info and people your age who can help and provide community.   Best wishes on your journey!

Hi, I'm new here, and figured I'd introduce myself.   My name is currently Wisp (though that may be changed in the future) and I'm a transmasc guy (He/him pronouns) in my early teens. I've been looking for a support group since I discovered that I'm trans, so I was certainly happy to find this place and be able to join! I don't really know what I can share in this forum, so I'll keep it short for now and leave it there. Thanks!

Congratulations on the good sense exhibited there. 

That is great MarieChelan that you have made that next step in your coming out !  Congratulations !!

I agree. @Heather Shay is loved! ❤️

'twas a rhetorical question. 😉   Things are getting a bit weird here. Less than a month from winter and we're still getting warm days. It's lovely and all, but jeez, it's dry. Nights are cccold too. Nothing compared to what most of y'all get in equivalency, but yeah. One thing that happens around March/April here is switching from occasional barbecue dinners to barbecue lunches instead. Just every now and then, a sausage in bread with onion and ketchup x2, washed down with a glass of red or more, staring up at a blue sky with zero risk of sunburn, thinking How Good Is Life. It just seems like the season for that is already extended. We're going for 25C/77F on Tuesday!   @KymmieL I'm so glad that things are working out! Onwards and upwards!!! 😀   @Willow dogs are way smarter than humans! 😆

Hey all -   Thank you so much for the wonderful greetings !  For those of us who found ourselves later in life it is a shame that we could not have discovered and enjoyed our true selves much earlier in life, guess myself it was a combination of not understanding entirely what I was feeling along with being in a less secure and self confident place. I also had a few things in my way that made it hard to see this side as it was and is.    

May the forth be with you

G'day @Jaye, welcome aboard. I'm also in my 60's, but towards the lower end.   I also describe myself as Bi-gender, but this is only a personal observation. I have never sought an official diagnosis, and I am not undergoing therapy.   That said, I totally get it! There is just something so special, so right, about letting ourselves be who they need to be. It's like a natural high. It is euphoria! Like you, I don't experience a relative level of dysphoria (the opposite of euphoria) that makes me feel compelled to permanently act on impulses either. We are who we are.    My situation is slightly different though. I can blur things and live as both at the same time. Simplistically, it could be described as some form or androgyny, but I prefer to consider myself as the simultaneous type of Bi-gender. I can still totally understand what you're feeling though!    

The whim of the king is the new science.     Hugs,   Charlize

Just for everyone's information, we had a federal election here this weekend. The incumbent party had a skinny majority leading in, but it is now much larger. This ties in with the recent election in Canada where the conservative side of politics was also rejected. It also signals a global pushback amongst American allies against Trumpism.    The center-right party here (perversely known as the Liberal party) ran an absolutely schemozzle of a campaign. Besides coming out as anti-worker, they also promised higher taxes, believe it or not. They also looked for every opportunity to engage in culture wars. Their willingness to emulate King Donald (oh wait, that was last week) Pope Donald cost them dearly.   I'm not even going to pretend that our Labor party is perfect. But they are openly more inclusive than the remnants of what was once a proud organization that has lost the middle ground, who couldn't help trying to pander to the extremes instead.    

Heather, just know you are loved.