Hullo

[thisimmortalsoul]

So I started having thoughts a while ago and I've now ended up here...
I'm from Australia, soon I will be 20 years old. Since I was 12 I've always felt that something was off, or missing, but I'd never realised what. I'd always wanted to give off an aura of mystery and elegance (or something) and being manly was something I wanted to avoid but the thought of being female had never crossed my mind until sometime last year.
I once told someone at work that since the weather was really hot I was going to tie my (kind of) long hair back. They told me that I shouldn't because it makes me look too much like a girl, and then everyone agreed with this person's assessment. Their attempt to discourage me had unknowingly given me a huge compliment.
Since then I've begun taking small steps towards feminising myself: eyebrow waxing, going to a hairdresser (rather than doing it myself) and generally making myself appear more androgynous. Perhaps someday I will go all the way.
Other things about me: I love music. The Church, The Beatles, Malice Mizer, Boris, the Ramones, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Luna Sea, Kuroyume, Shizuka, These Immortal Souls, Laughing Clowns, The Smiths, The Cure, Guided by Voices, Sonic Youth, David Bowie, The Verlaines. I play guitar, bass, piano and I sing. I want to be a professional musician, but I don't expect it to work out, so I'm trying to find something to do with my life.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi thisimmortalsoul,
A big Aussie welcome to Susan's. We are family here, so consider yourself to be in safe hands. There are quite a few of here, from all over the place, so you're bound to bump into one of us sooner or later.

Congratulations in allowing yourself the permission to think outside the square in respects to your identity. The next step in your journey, to keep it balanced, is finding a therapist who is understanding of Transgender issues. They can often guide you through the hazards and keep you relatively sane.

All states have some form of public health gender centre that can assist you finding the appropriate services. Depending where you are, you should be able to find the Gender Unit in the White pages under public health, or you could give the Gender Centre in Sydney a call, and they can direct you to the appropriate state unit. Their number is 029569 2366.

Other than that, there is a ton of information and resources here for you, plus an amazing wealth of experience from those that have "walked the talk."

A Moderator should be swinging by in the not too distant future, with some guideline on how we work. In the meantime, don't be afraid to ask any type of question, and be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[Devlyn]

Hi thisimmortalsoul, it's nice to meet you! We've got cookies, cake, and pie, make yourself at home. See you around, hugs, Devlyn

[Felix]

Hey hi, welcome to Susan's. This is a good place.

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[kelly_aus]

Hi there thisimmortalsoul,

Another Aussie here to give you a welcome!

Congrats on not allowing yourself to be stuck in a box..   

As Catherine says, a lot of states have a Gender Centre or Clinic.. And if not, Medicare will cover a fair portion of your therapy costs..

Hugs,
Kelly

[thisimmortalsoul]

Thank you, you're all very welcoming and helpful. Good to know Medicare covers a portion of therapy.

[kelly_aus]

Oops, I meant to mention that my gyno visits are mostly covered as well.. I get about 1/2 of it back.. My gyno looks after my hormones and she is a post-op woman, so she's been there, done that..