Where'd everyone go?

[Joanna Dark]

I noticed lately that the MTF forum is frequented by people very early on in transition and usually not on HRT. There's nothing wrong with that so don't take it the wrong way. But I've been on HRT for almost a year and there used to be a lot of people here that were long time transitioners. I really identified with a lot of them. But they seem to have vanished. I especially miss Girl You Look Fierce and now Sarah7, who prolly left because of the thread on disclosure. She was one of the wisest posters and now she is gone because people who prolly never even dealt with a sexual situation while trans (pre or post-op) moralized and chided those that said you shouldn't have to tell.

I don't know I don't mind helping people out but lately I feel like a stranger here even though I've been a regular poster for a year. I'm thinking of taking a break or fiding a new forum. No offense to anyone but it just seems it changed and maybe it's time for me to move on from this forum or in general. I just don't need it like I did then. But I may change my mind. Just wondering has any other long time member noticed the MTF forum has changed and a lot of posters seem to have made ghosts of themselves. Not all just some. Maybe I'm hormonal lol

[Brooke777]

You will see the long time posters come and go in waves. After a few months, I normally take a three or four month break. This site can be a little taxing at times. Give it time, and many of them will return.

[Jessica Merriman]

I don't think it has changed that much here, just the normal ebb and flow of the universe. Some people just get to a certain level and don't need to be as active or personal decisions and time restraints keep them too busy to post as regularly. You are always going to have people join and then leave, that is just human nature. I still believe in this family 110% and try to stay active as much as I can. Even genetic families fall away sometimes, you just never know what is going on in people's lives. Take me for example, I am now full time and have found a whole new world to explore and make my mark in. This doesn't mean I am abandoning Susan's, just a little busier in my life now. Everything is OK! This is still the best support site on the net. 

[calico]

I especially miss Girl You Look Fierce and now Sarah7, who prolly left because of the thread on disclosure. She was one of the wisest posters and now she is gone because people who prolly never even dealt with a sexual situation while trans (pre or post-op) moralized and chided those that said you shouldn't have to tell.

That topic, I am sure had some people leave, I am not going to lie it upset me abit as well, however I am still here as well as a few others. I have however thought of backing away a couple times, but while the forum hasn't been as much help for me per-se, I do realize that I can be of help to others who have a question that I may be able to answer or offer an opinion, that is the main reason I have stuck around, while some opinions I do not care for (like those about disclosure) I have to remind my self what is said about opinion and that sometimes they are like.....
well you get it, I'll still be here if I can help

[stephaniec]

yea, I've only been here a little while and have notice a drastic change in the last few weeks, as far as new faces and the missing older ones.

[WFane]

I've been on and off since I joined last summer. I just kinda check in once in a while to see if there's anything I can answer, or if I need to vent. If I'm bored, and need a little drama intake, I can always come here for that too lol.

[Xhianil]

There's many reasons long time posters can stop, though I will admit after my first reply to my post in that thread I got out.

They may not be posting  or even on the site anymore but they still might be active sharing it, that's how I got here.

My posting has personaly slowed for 3 reasons, firstly, I'm in limbo, I know all I need to to start but have no experience yet, secondly, I have had plenty of time, technology and internet problems going on, lastly, I get scared of posting quite often, and so I don't.

[kathyk]

Well Joanna, most just kind of move on as their transitions get to a certain undefined point.  I had my first account in April or May of 2012, but came back for a while last June.  But I'll fade off fairly soon, as you also will some time in the future.  You'll soon be one of the senior members.  Oh wait, you are now ... Hugs hun.

[Nero]

I noticed lately that the MTF forum is frequented by people very early on in transition and usually not on HRT. There's nothing wrong with that so don't take it the wrong way. But I've been on HRT for almost a year and there used to be a lot of people here that were long time transitioners. I really identified with a lot of them. But they seem to have vanished. I especially miss Girl You Look Fierce and now Sarah7, who prolly left because of the thread on disclosure. She was one of the wisest posters and now she is gone because people who prolly never even dealt with a sexual situation while trans (pre or post-op) moralized and chided those that said you shouldn't have to tell.

I don't know I don't mind helping people out but lately I feel like a stranger here even though I've been a regular poster for a year. I'm thinking of taking a break or fiding a new forum. No offense to anyone but it just seems it changed and maybe it's time for me to move on from this forum or in general. I just don't need it like I did then. But I may change my mind. Just wondering has any other long time member noticed the MTF forum has changed and a lot of posters seem to have made ghosts of themselves. Not all just some. Maybe I'm hormonal lol

A lot of people come here for support during transition and leave or taper off after their transition is complete (whatever that means to them). I remember being pretty devastated when everyone I was close to left around the same time after about a year or two. People on here in various stages of transition go through it together, bond and then the next group shows up. I know it feels like everyone is leaving, but that's kind of the way it goes here. People come in waves.

Sarah7 has come on and off for a couple years. She'll probably be back. I hope.  Don't know about girl you look fierce. Hope she returns too. Sometimes people just need a break from gender issues.

[Ms Grace]

I think I avoided that Disclosure thread, I figure there are some things, no matter what I feel/think about them that aren't worth contributing to...no argument has ever been won on the internet after all. I certainly won't touch any discussion on Obamacare, guns, US politics, etc...!

Yes, there does seem to be a bit of an empty space at the moment. I gather a couple of members were banned and a number of others then left in protest. A big shame that. Others have probably gotten busy with life and so forth. A lot of new people joined over the holidays/new year, which makes a lot of sense, it's a time for resolutions and self-reflection.

The forum is a bit circular too, I guess there are only so many time you can join a discussion about some topic or another, especially when it was discussed to the n^th degree just a month ago. Forum fatigue!

Anyway, I hope you can stick around!

[suzifrommd]

I feel the same way, Joanna. I hate it when longtime people leave or taper off. I miss Axelle, Lucky Peach, Padma, and justmeinoz, wish we saw more of Sephirah, and hope Madeline B and MeghanAndrews will stop in sometime soon.

But today's early transitioners are tomorrow's old-timers, so new longtime transitioners are being created all the time.

[latoya fox]

i've been on for 4 monthes. living full time since i was 14. just joined here about a month ago though, but i've been reading posts here since the summer, not sure why it took me so long to join though

[Missy~rmdlm]

I am a few months pre-op (scheduled in April). But I tend to be a thread killer, and I certainly don't have a goal in like of running up high post counts. It's not really big goal of mine to stick around the community either. Sure chatting and forums are fine, but I like to associate with the dozen or so TS people I know in life, I'm fully employed and busy in life too.

[Eva Marie]

I've been on this board hanging around in various forums for a few years now as I figured out who I am. I've seen many people come and go during that time, and i've seen the activity on the board ebb and flow. I think it's just normal for a forum of this nature to gain and lose members. There are many people I fondly remember from the old days that are long gone now and I miss them and wish them well, but I'm also getting a chance to acquaint myself with new people so it's all good.

[sam79]

It's just the way it goes. We're all here for support when we need it...

And I too will fade away one day, probably after SRS.

[JRD]

I've only been here a few months and it does seem that the membership can be somewhat fluid just as it is on most online forums. I wouldn't worry about it or let it affect your participation.

[Nero]

I've only been here a few months and it does seem that the membership can be somewhat fluid just as it is on most online forums. I wouldn't worry about it or let it affect your participation.

Yeah, there will always be someone here to talk to. 

[Jamie D]

I noticed lately that the MTF forum is frequented by people very early on in transition and usually not on HRT. There's nothing wrong with that so don't take it the wrong way. But I've been on HRT for almost a year and there used to be a lot of people here that were long time transitioners. I really identified with a lot of them. But they seem to have vanished. I especially miss Girl You Look Fierce and now Sarah7, who prolly left because of the thread on disclosure. She was one of the wisest posters and now she is gone because people who prolly never even dealt with a sexual situation while trans (pre or post-op) moralized and chided those that said you shouldn't have to tell.

I don't know I don't mind helping people out but lately I feel like a stranger here even though I've been a regular poster for a year. I'm thinking of taking a break or fiding a new forum. No offense to anyone but it just seems it changed and maybe it's time for me to move on from this forum or in general. I just don't need it like I did then. But I may change my mind. Just wondering has any other long time member noticed the MTF forum has changed and a lot of posters seem to have made ghosts of themselves. Not all just some. Maybe I'm hormonal lol

"Girl You Look Fierce" left the site.  I liked her a lot.  We had lots of good conversations.  Sarah7 is easily one of the nicer and most knowledgeable people on the site.  When Sarah talks, people listen.  Most, at least.  The smart ones.

I have lowered my profile.  The reasons are personal, but fir those who have been here a while, obvious.

I hope the site can recapture the good feelings that existed a couple of years ago. 

It hurts to lose understanding friends.

[Hikari]

I would say it is the normal ebb and flow....but, over time it seems that more and more people are moving away from forums as a medium to more social platforms. I can't say I like that trend, as I only grudgingly have a facebook page, much less any other social media, perhaps that means I am old now, but I didn't think I would feel old while I am still in my 20s.

[Miss_Bungle1991]

I've been here (in different forms) since summer of 2006. I've seen many people come and go. That's just the way it goes with forums. I stick around for the hell of it. (Although I've got pissed off for one reason or another and thought about splitting a couple of times.) But, I'll stick around. The things that pissed me off, tend to not bug me so much after awhile and things are just the way that they are. The world keeps turning and all that.