So I went out in public dressed up for the first time yesterday...

[Sage]

...and it was AWESOME!     I felt so happy and confident and it was nerve-wracking, yes, but sooo fun.  Unfortunately I was alone and didn't get to be 'out' with my friends, but it was still really cool.

Unfortunately, no male pronouns were used in referring to me, but I got a lot, and I mean a LOT of double takes; I don't think people could tell if I was a boy or girl, which, to me, is just as fun as passing, just in a different way.   

And when I was by myself, it seemed so natural to act masculine.  I wasn't ashamed of it or anything, unlike any other day when I'm wearing a skirt or something 'feminine' like that.

And someone actually asked me what time it was (I was  more than happy to oblige), and my 'voice' was actually pretty good, I think.     Still kinda girly, but much better than what I've been sounding like.

I kind of have a feeling the guy was asking me what time it was just so he could hear my voice and settle in his mind, "Okay, that's a dude," or, "okay, definitely chick."  But maybe that was all in my head, because he seemed just as unsettled as when he first asked me.   

I'm probably imagining all that, but I had fun.~     It was a major accomplishment for me, going out by myself dressed up, and in a crowded place, no less.

[eshaver]

Sage ,I'm proud of ya !!!!!!!!! I well remember the first time I actually went out in public and what I wore and how dammed scared I was inside too. Look dear , it gets easier , REALLY ! One of these days , we transgender folks will be as common a sight as the NON- trans or someone considered Gay in the larger cities .  Trust me , I've lived long enough to have seen the light ............. ellen

[Stephe]

One thing it takes a while to get used to is; a nice looking woman is "checked out" no matter if they were born female or not. Resist the temptation to "look around" or respond to guys who glance over. Even women check other women out regularly, almost no one is checking out a guy unless he's really hot

Also, and this is a hard one to unlearn is the "head nod". It's a total guy thing, women NEVER do this. Guys still nod to women but your response is a short, friendly smile back. Don't over do the smile as guys take that as a "they want me". Fine line there. And women smile to other women or say a soft "hi" rather than the guy head nod thing.. Hold your head up, shoulders back and relaxed.

Congrats on your first outing and sounds like it went well. You also sound like you have the self confidence where this won't be a nightmare for you

[barbie]

Congrat.

I also remember my first day, but nowadays I do not desperately try to pass. Everybody knows that I am a man, even though mostly I do not know him or her. I am kind of celebrity. My friends and colleagues know very well about me: mosly wearing women's, occasionally with heels and skirts, but not giving up his family. People here tend to like me.

Barbie~~

[justmeinoz]

Congratulations on your first day out.  Glad to hear it went well, it will get better too.

Karen.

[Silas]

 ^_^ Haaha! Congrats, Sage. *high five*
Sounds like a fun day. Here's to more to come!

[Kimberley]

Congratulations on going out and alone at that. I do admire you in doing that. My first time out was on 10 June 2011 with two other tgirls. I felt so nervouse but at the same time I felt alive and natural. I have no felt like that before. My friends unfortunately do not live in my State and I do not have the courage to go out alone. I have driven to the T girl club we went to but have not had the courage to get out of my car. One day I will go out. The feelings of wanting to go out get stronger each day. I have no problem shopping for clothes, shoes and makeup in drab. Pity you can't buy a large serving of courage to venture out alone. One day I will wear my outfits to go out because that is why I purchaed them.

[Sage]

Thanks so much for the kind wishes, everyone.     I hope to do it again sometime soon.  Me and some of my female friends (including my MtF friend, who is awesome, by the way) are planning a 'girl's night out' thing and they invited me to be their gentlemanly escort.     In other words I'll get to carry all the shopping bags and hold open doors, which will be so fun (but I'll try not to act like I'm having too much fun, what sort of manly man would I be if I did that?  LMAO)     It'll also be fun to support my friend, who sometimes gets really nervous and self-conscious when she goes out, so she might not feel so alone, 'cause I'll be there, too, to remind her, "Hey, you've got four girls and one guy here who know how to fix your makeup if something goes awry."    

Look dear , it gets easier , REALLY ! One of these days , we transgender folks will be as common a sight as the NON- trans or someone considered Gay in the larger cities .  Trust me , I've lived long enough to have seen the light ............. ellen

Here's hoping that this collective dream becomes real for us all.   

One day I will go out. The feelings of wanting to go out get stronger each day. I have no problem shopping for clothes, shoes and makeup in drab. Pity you can't buy a large serving of courage to venture out alone. One day I will wear my outfits to go out because that is why I purchaed them.

That's the spirit!     I'm rooting for you, too!~

My friends and colleagues know very well about me: mosly wearing women's, occasionally with heels and skirts, but not giving up his family. People here tend to like me.

It's awesome that you have that family and community support.     I'm happy for you, and wish that for so many people here who don't have it.

Even women check other women out regularly, almost no one is checking out a guy unless he's really hot

Well, I've been told that I'm really attractive, even when dressed up, but I dunno. 

Also, and this is a hard one to unlearn is the "head nod". It's a total guy thing, women NEVER do this. Guys still nod to women but your response is a short, friendly smile back.  Hold your head up, shoulders back and relaxed.

Since I'm extremely shy, I've been doing the silent nod thing for most of my life.     But it is true, I don't know any other girls who do that.  A lot of people see me aas rude because of it, but it's not that; I'm just shy.   -shrug-

Congrats on your first outing and sounds like it went well. You also sound like you have the self confidence where this won't be a nightmare for you

Before all this, I had absolutely no self-confidence at all, but now that I've found this part of myself, everything's been easier.    I feel like I'm being more 'me' now, and that feels much better than living a lie 50% of the time.

And last but not least, I LOVE YOU GUYS!  And I love this forum, too.