I am visiting my cousin, who I havent seen yet in person since hrt. Need advice.

[Shawn Sunshine]

Ok I have one family member and his wife and children who live near San Jose. They saw me when i first moved here back in June of last year. Now they have also been gone a while on a trip to Europe. I am not sure if they know I am transgender/two spirit and everything else. Not sure if any of the other family who knows has told them.

I think they are fairly progressive people but then again I am also worried.  I am visiting tommorow night and I wonder...should i just dress en femme? Should I dress all boy mode and try to talk about it that way...or dress a little more casual, where it would appear adrogynous a little. I am not sure...I am thinking I don't want to shock and create a scene with children there also. I mean these are their adopted children but they know or knew me a little last year.

[Valwen]

You should go however you normally dress these days. Its that simple though often scary. two days ago I decided I am full time and now I don't care where I am going or who I will see I go as me, I can explain things just as well in a skirt than I can in shorts.

[Lady Smith]

The only person you can be is yourself so I'm going to echo Valwen and say that you should go dressed as you normally do.  My big come out to wider family happened one Christmas when I took my Mum to visit one of her sisters and everybody was there.  I wore a casual skirt and blouse with stockings and my hair which has always been long was brushed out loose (back when I wasn't grey, Oy vey!).  Needless to say I did cause a certain amount of surprise, but once I explained about myself it was basically Ok.  Most of my male relatives disappeared down the hallway and into a bedroom where they spent their time giggling, but I didn't care.  The women all stayed and we had a good visit.

[Mariah]

I would go as you feel comfortable doing so. For me that would mean dressing as the person I am not the person they want me to dress like. There is no reason to dress a particular way to please others. Hugs and Good luck
Mariah

[Shawn Sunshine]

Ok well I usually dress bubble gum girly girl casual

So that's what I will do.

[big kim]

I've a similar meeting with a cousin I haven't seen for 32 years.Next month my sister marries her girlfriend and she invited  our cousin.If she doesn't like me or doesn't approve not my problem it's her's she can go suck a bag of dicks.

[Shawn Sunshine]

well im going on the bus and or train/bart. But I may get stuck in and stranded in San Jose (worst case scenario)

But someone prayed for me and liftted my doubts. I am going as I normally would and I just have to be honest with them. Its eating me up not to at least have one family member see me as I am.

[Shawn Sunshine]

Oh my gosh....oh my gosh....oh my gosh!

They accepted me!!!! And they said they kinda knew already....and welcomed me into their home with loving arms...I'm crying tears of joy right now and trembling as I write this with my phone.

[Mariah]

Congrats Shawn. I'm so very happy for you. Hugs
Mariah

[iKate]

I've found nearly everyone that I've told to be accepting. I came out to my cousin and her girlfriend yesterday online. They found my new Facebook Profile and added me. They are lesbians and they were overjoyed that they now have an ally in the family so they don't feel isolated. 

[Laura_7]

Oh my gosh....oh my gosh....oh my gosh!

They accepted me!!!! And they said they kinda knew already....and welcomed me into their home with loving arms...I'm crying tears of joy right now and trembling as I write this with my phone.

Congratulations


hugs

[Rachel]

I am really happy for you.

[Lady Smith]

Congratulations, that's wonderful 

[stephaniec]

nice to have accepting family

[LizMarie]

Congratulations, Shawn!

Those moments of acceptance from those we love are precious indeed.

[Shawn Sunshine]

Thanks everyone...I'm feeling more confident now....helping me in ways that keep me from breaking down.


Here I was in the guest bed...pink and comfy

[KristinaM]

Your hair is really looking great now that it's growing out.  You and me have very similar hair types!  A good medium ringlet-like curl.  I don't think I have a very feminine haircut though, and trying to grow it out is so awkward!

[Shawn Sunshine]

Is that your hair and pic Tristan? I think that looks feminine.....I see why I need mine longer...going to let it grow now and sing it like frozen......let it grow....let.....it grow

Leave my short hair in the snow.....the split ends never bothered me anyways

[KristinaM]

Hehe, no, that's not my pic, but it's my inspiration, and it's pretty close to my hairstyle and type.

It's an actress named Joyce Hyser from a movie titled, "Just One of the Guys".  You should watch it if you haven't seen it.  Mid-80's flick where a girl dresses up as a boy and attends a different school to see if writing the same article as a boy or as a girl merits more consideration for this contest she's entering.  Something like that.  "He" ends up getting a girlfriend of sorts while simultaneously being attracted to another man who of course isn't in on it and get thoroughly confused, sexually.  Hilarity and good times ensue.  With a bonus bewb shot, so be forwarned.

[Shawn Sunshine]

I've seen that about 4 times lol....good movie...back then I thought it was funny...now it has a lot of relevance for me.


Lol I remember the tuxedo tit scene