Hi there! :)

[Ally_B]

*phew*

I'm never sure where to start with these things, I'm quite terrible with intros... lol

Here goes...

My name is Ally, and I'm a 33 year old prospective M to F from Sydney, Australia. I say prospective because I'm only in counselling at this stage and would kind of feel like a fraud if I say that and then end up not transitioning, so I'm not going to commit to those words just yet...

The cold, hard truth though, is that I have known who my true self is, beneath the male exterior I was born with, for some 26 years. I have only REALLY started to make some moves to address it over the last year. As I'm sure it is with many of you, I spent so many years trying to wish the feeling away, but these feelings have never gone away.... They have just gotten deeper and stronger over time.

At one stage, I was even overcompensating by adopting a fairly macho image... Even IF speaking to me for 3 seconds blew the whole deal! lol

So as time has gone on and I've consciously stopped trying to hide, that old image has disintegrated to the point where some people around me aren't sure what to make of me. But I've stopped trying to appease those people... Let them think what they think, if they're going to stand in judgement of me, then I don't need them in my life, right?

Though my words may sound full of pep and gusto, the fact is that I have not presented myself in public yet in any really challenging or meaningful way... No, I have saved that primarily for myself in my bedroom at this stage, even if I have been slowly pushing out my personal boundaries... getting a little more brave each time I try something.

I recently came out to my two best friends and was completely overwhelmed by how warm and supportive they have been. I'm very fortunate to have them! But I also need to have more contact with people who know what it is like to feel the way I do and this place seemed a natural place to start given how much valuable information I've used that I found through the links on the main resource page!

Anyway, I should probably stop there as I could go on and on and on (and believe me, I CAN), and this is supposed to be a simple introduction, not the long awaited trans-themed sequel to War and Peace...

So to you all, I say a big, bright hello; pleased to make yr collective acquaintance.

[alabamagirl]

*huggles* <3

Welcome to the forum, Ally!

[V M]

Hi Ally 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Please be sure to review

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks ( including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Age and the Forum
  
• Reputation rules
  
• Photo, avatars, and signature images policy
  

Hugs

V M

[Jamie D]

Ally, nice to meet you.  We have a wonderful contingent of Aussies on the site.

Very helpful.  Some even have two heads 

[Jessica Merriman]

A big warm welcome to the family Ally! You will find in a very short time that this is so true. I have made many good friends here who have helped me out quite a bit. All of the information you will get here is invaluable because it comes from REAL people at all levels of transition from still questioning to Post Op and beyond. Feel free to rant, vent, share good news (we like that a LOT), learn or just have some fun and meet the rest of the family. Here is a BIG HUG  to welcome you and make you feel right at home.

[justjournalhonestly]

Hello Ally,

Good to have you here, and I would not let the transitioning worries hold you up as some MtF transsexuals choose not to transition for a multitude of reasons. Some would question this approach but I sure don't, but... Call yourself whatever you feel comfy with, and honest about. What I will call you is a friend if you are cool with that?

It's a great place here, and I have learned a lot. However, I can get too hung up on all the posts and next thing you know I have to run off and try to get more done in less time! So be careful!!! LOL

There is oodles and oodles of information here and caring people as you can probably already tell!

Great to have met you.

[gennee]

Welcome to Susan's, Ally.

[Ally_B]

Thank you VERY much for the warm welcome and all the lovely, cozy eHugs! There's a great big one coming right back to each and every one of you.

At this point, I'd like to make note of the fact that I feel a little foolish for being so nervous about signing up + posting here. It's always a nice feeling. 

[Jamie D]

Ally, each and every one of us has had to overcome fears, hurdles, and questions.  It is par for the course.

You are among friends here.   

[Ally_B]

Ally, each and every one of us has had to overcome fears, hurdles, and questions.  It is par for the course.

You are among friends here.   

I know, I was just making a semi-joke that fell flat due to the difficulty of conveying tone through forum posting.... Well, that and it wasn't particularly funny. lol

But, I do appreciate that everyone here has been through what they have and can genuinely relate to what I am going through. In the "real" world, I don't have anyone that I feel I can talk to who knows what it is like. Though it is unfortunate that due to the cruel nature of the outside world (generally) places like this need to exist, it is wonderful that they do.

Once again, thanks very much for the red carpet treatment!

[Jamie D]

I am a little surprised one of the Aussie contingent has not yet chimed in.  We have several members from Sydney.  And one of our senior moderators, Cindy, is in Adelaide.

[alabamagirl]

Well, my girlfriend lives in Sydney, if that counts. But yeah, there are a ton of Aussie girls here. Maybe you'll even make some friends you can meet up with outside of the forum.

[Shantel]

Hello, welcome Ally! 

[Idenya]

Hello Ally and welcome

[Irva]

Hello, Ally! I'd like to visit Aussie land one day. )
By the way, how to insert profile pics, etc. on this forum?
Also I want a slogan in my texts, how to do it?

[Shantel]

Hello, Ally! I'd like to visit Aussie land one day. )
By the way, how to insert profile pics, etc. on this forum?
Also I want a slogan in my texts, how to do it?

Go up and click on profile, then account settings and forum profile It will make itself evident.

[Jamie D]

Hello, Ally! I'd like to visit Aussie land one day. )
By the way, how to insert profile pics, etc. on this forum?
Also I want a slogan in my texts, how to do it?

Shan is correct; however, a member needs to get to the 15 post threshold for using the personal messaging system and modifying their profile.  It is just a security measure designed to protect the members from bot programming and spammers.