Second Intro

[NB Adult]

I've often noticed how most have had some gender issue leanings at a very early age, to be honest I don't recall anything like that in my own childhood. My earliest twinges about my own gender situation was when I was in a paratroop organization doing combat operations in SE Asia. I had a chance to take in a Bob Hope USO show at a local airbase there when the dancer/actress Joey Heatherton appeared on the stage and was dancing around in a skimpy and very cute outfit. Her feminine persona just stuck in my inner being afterwards. After a long search and destroy operation where temperatures were 100+ with humidity to match, I went to our "Beer Tent" and quaffed down a few cold icy Australian lagers when someone said wouldn't you like to "do" her? I said h - ll no, I want to be her. 

 

Here I was just stifling in the insufferable heat, dirty and sweaty, acting out this initiation into manhood that made no sense, while this pretty thing in the photo was safe, clean, fresh smelling, beautiful, pampered and adored and I might die here in this god forsaken sh*thole. That was when it all started for me internally. It would be years before I actually acted on my convictions.

[Jackie C.]

OK, totally admit I had to look her up. I found a youtube video of a USO show she did as well. While I wish I could move like that, I'd personally never wave myself in front of a group of men like that. I'd be terrified. I'd also never want to be blonde or wear my hair that short. Yuck. ?

 

Different times and different strokes though. I had no earthly idea you were that old @NB Adult. I find her act a little sexist, but I realize that that was kind of the point. I guess I was raised feminist or something. Also, I was being born about the time you were in the service. Again, differing views on what's cool for a women to do based on the time period.

 

I'm also not the type to join the military. Ever. Not even if I was able-bodied enough to be accepted. Just no.

 

I'm also in the camp that knew early on. Three or four. I'm pretty sure it started while we were still in the condo in Wayne and I can place my 3rd birthday there. I remember my Grandmother's card. Not sure if the part where I started wishing to be a girl started before or after that though. It was a long time ago. The memories are fuzzy. I think getting the crap slapped out of me for getting into Grandma's closet came later.

 

I think I'm oversharing (and rambling, I'm avoiding my NaNoWriMi project) here, but the point is despite the very, very different experiences we've had in our journey: Thanks for sharing that. It gives a bit more insight to where you're coming from.

 

Hugs!

[Jani]

She was a popular actress and dancer.  They were different times and those USO shows were unique.  I'm sure they are nothing like that now.  The comedy show portion was different as well since political correctness wasn't a thing back then.

[ToniTone]

That's an amazing story and experience! I kinda consider myself an old soul, I was always fascinated by the legacy about those USO shows... 

 

~Toni

[NB Adult]

I'm 76 and come from a good gene pool, the adults in my life on both sides of the family all live into their 90's, my aunt in Connecticut was 102 and still had all her marbles. Having been on estrogen for over 20 years has given me a youthful look for my age and I'm in exceptionally good health in spite of being poisoned by excessive Agent Orange contamination. I do have all the usual aches and pains that come with age though. Glad you all enjoyed the commentary, it was a better time back then, people didn't concern themselves with labels like sexism and weren't constrained by political correctness and the group-think mentality we are experiencing today. Men and women dealt with their expected roles pretty well. I was 20 back then, it was a different lifetime in a different world.

[ShawnaLeigh]

I tend to agree with you NB.  I have little memory of anything no less feelings from my childhood. I recall when my first feeling I was different around my teen years.  Reinforced by a few trips to the doctors to “fix me”.  I remember the.  “Your a boy. You should be doing boy things” talks too.  I don’t remember not doing boy things to be honest.  Or doing girl things.  I was a kid. 
I got tired of the doctor visits by my late teens so I decided to just hide it and be the male everyone wanted from me.  Not the wisest choice I know.  

[NB Adult]

52 minutes ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

I tend to agree with you NB.  I have little memory of anything no less feelings from my childhood. I recall when my first feeling I was different around my teen years.  Reinforced by a few trips to the doctors to “fix me”.  I remember the.  “Your a boy. You should be doing boy things” talks too.  I don’t remember not doing boy things to be honest.  Or doing girl things.  I was a kid. 
I got tired of the doctor visits by my late teens so I decided to just hide it and be the male everyone wanted from me.  Not the wisest choice I know.  

 

We dutifully do as we are expected. Long after military service when in the civilian workforce someone showed me a nude trans woman standing against a doorjamb totally perfect in every respect except for the (ugh) male package and I went WHAT...REALLY? It opened a new door of reality for me!

[ShawnaLeigh]

On 11/11/2019 at 8:22 PM, NB Adult said:

 

We dutifully do as we are expected. Long after military service when in the civilian workforce someone showed me a nude trans woman standing against a doorjamb totally perfect in every respect except for the (ugh) male package and I went WHAT...REALLY? It opened a new door of reality for me!

I continued my Dutiful diligence my entire life. As hiding always doing what boys do.  However never completely letting go of the little girl inside.  Leading me here a couple weeks ago where I found the courage to be myself.