Hi, I'm Katie ^_^

[RedheadWhovian]

Hello, everyone . My name is Anthony, but you can all call me Katie. ^_^

I'm someone who has dealt with a fair bit of gender dysphoria for as long as I can remember. I think about being the opposite sex almost every day and when I see women in public I find myself even more into the idea of being one of them than being with them. I've kept my feelings on this for a very long time. Being from a religious family and being a spiritual person myself, I used to think it was wrong. I denied any trace of it from my mind. However, very recently, some wonderful things have happened in my life that have lead me to exploring and embracing my gender identity. At the moment I am constantly crossdressing to see how I look and feel and it makes me feel wonderful. I am also in counseling and heavily considering hormone treatment (I am in Chicago and blessed by the fact that they are easy to be prescribed)

However, I still find myself doubtful and discouraged a lot. I don't know if I would necessarily say that I feel wrong in my body, but I can say that being in a woman's body feels far more appealing and comforting to me. I also am discouraged constantly by those who say I will never pass as a woman. :/ My father, though he is supportive of me, has warned me that he never thinks I will pass since I am too masculine. Certain doubts have lead me to wonder if I am transgender. I would very much like to believe that I am and I have a very strong desire to at least see what it is like to live life as a woman, if not permanently. Maybe some people can help me.

Anyway, I was wondering if this is a good and safe place to post my adventure and get to know people that can guide me on my journey? Here are my pictures if anyone is interested. If we are not allowed to post links I will retract it immediately. It is lovely to meet you all <3

http://diknbeans.deviantart.com

[Mariah]

Hi Katie, welcome to Susan's. I think you will be surprised how well you will pass in time. I highly recommend looking at the before and after thread. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

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[RedheadWhovian]

Hi Mariah! It is nice to meet you. I suppose the comments I've received from others, as well as my age, discourage me. I am 24 and I keep getting told by people that I may not want to bother because transitioning will not yield good results for me at that age. I'll be sure to look at the forums you suggested, thank you!

[Mariah]

Here is a link. Your very young yet and should do really well. Hugs
Mariah

The All New 'Before & After Topic (v 3.0)

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. I was told by one of my therapist I wouldn't pass. You however do pretty well as is but a little work with makeup and cleaning up you eyebrows will make you very passable. As for this place being safe, post nothing you are uncomfortable with. We only require a real email address for security reasons but even as a moderator, I know nothing about you other than what you provide. We have people living stealth who trust us and that indicates a high level of trust.

[RedheadWhovian]

Thank you, Dena! I feel great being here already.

And yeah, my eyebrows need a huge improvement. I've always felt my jawline and rough skin holds me back too. Got any tips or advice? I'm here to learn and embrace this side of me, which could very well be the true me.

[Dena]

I had my eye brows shaped when they worked on my beard. As for makeup, I learned of a beauty shop that would show you how to apply makeup for nothing. For many years I bought all my makeup there. As for your jaw, don't worry about it. My jaw is stronger than yours and I never had problems with it. On the other hand, keep the smile. It looks great on you.

[AnonyMs]

Hi Katie,

you've definitely found a safe place. I certainly wouldn't be here otherwise.

As for doubts, that's pretty standard fare and I think its safe to say that most of us have been there. It's great your father is supportive, but he's got no idea what he's talking about, and why would he? How many trans people does he know? I'd not worry about that. I don't feel qualified to say how well you'll pass since I'm still presenting male, but I'm quite sure you'd do very well indeed.

I don't think anyone here's going to encourage your to start hormones, that's to important to let others influence you, but you'll get a lot of support if you do. And if you don't.

[RedheadWhovian]

I had my eye brows shaped when they worked on my beard. As for makeup, I learned of a beauty shop that would show you how to apply makeup for nothing. For many years I bought all my makeup there. As for your jaw, don't worry about it. My jaw is stronger than yours and I never had problems with it. On the other hand, keep the smile. It looks great on you.

Thank you! ^_^ I think I'd be way too shy to go to a beauty salon as I am that at this point :/

[RedheadWhovian]

Hi Katie,

you've definitely found a safe place. I certainly wouldn't be here otherwise.

As for doubts, that's pretty standard fare and I think its safe to say that most of us have been there. It's great your father is supportive, but he's got no idea what he's talking about, and why would he? How many trans people does he know? I'd not worry about that. I don't feel qualified to say how well you'll pass since I'm still presenting male, but I'm quite sure you'd do very well indeed.

I don't think anyone here's going to encourage your to start hormones, that's to important to let others influence you, but you'll get a lot of support if you do. And if you don't.

Thank you so much! I feel very safe here and those words are very encouraging.

[katrinaw]

Warm welcome to Susan's Katie

Many of us have struggled with what life dealt to us for many years, in inner pain and anguish, but struggling on through fear, shame or shyness.... and we do tend to be doubtful of how we will look once we start to transition and complete transition. But its more of who we are and want to be, yeah sure looks are important, but they are not the end all and above all, its what's in your heart and how you interact with others. Oh and HRT helps heaps, especially the younger you start.

You've certainly come to the right place for support, guidance and friendship... I certainly look forward to seeing you around the forums...

L Katy 

[RedheadWhovian]

Warm welcome to Susan's Katie

Many of us have struggled with what life dealt to us for many years, in inner pain and anguish, but struggling on through fear, shame or shyness.... and we do tend to be doubtful of how we will look once we start to transition and complete transition. But its more of who we are and want to be, yeah sure looks are important, but they are not the end all and above all, its what's in your heart and how you interact with others. Oh and HRT helps heaps, especially the younger you start.

You've certainly come to the right place for support, guidance and friendship... I certainly look forward to seeing you around the forums...

L Katy 

That's very true, thank you, Katrina . I think the biggest reason passing is of a concern for me is safety. I hear it's so much easier to be safe out there when you can fool everyone into thinking you've always been like that. My heart goes out to any transgender human who has to go through such horrible discrimination

Also, is 24 too late to start (Well... I suppose it is never too late to start being yourself ^_^)

[V M]

Hi Katie 

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

Hugs

V M

[RedheadWhovian]

So nice to meet you too! ^_^

[GenTechJ]

Welcome to the community! As a fellow Whovian and a redophile (redheads are my kryptonite), I would like to point you to the Doctor Who thread in the Entertainment section. Granted, I'm two weeks behind, and haven't posted in the thread in a while, but you're among friends ^.^

[taylor_h]

Hi Mariah! It is nice to meet you. I suppose the comments I've received from others, as well as my age, discourage me. I am 24 and I keep getting told by people that I may not want to bother because transitioning will not yield good results for me at that age. I'll be sure to look at the forums you suggested, thank you!

Hi Kate,

You are still young, however its never to late to transition should you make that choice.

Many who are older than you embark on the journey and seem to find happiness.

I am much older than you and only started my transition this year, I couldn't be more happy to be living authentically.

Taylor.

[Dena]

That's very true, thank you, Katrina . I think the biggest reason passing is of a concern for me is safety. I hear it's so much easier to be safe out there when you can fool everyone into thinking you've always been like that. My heart goes out to any transgender human who has to go through such horrible discrimination

Also, is 24 too late to start (Well... I suppose it is never too late to start being yourself ^_^)

It isn't that dangerous out there. If you use a little common sense and stay away from areas you know are dangerous, you won't have trouble if you are read. My roommate didn't pass well and for a while had a case of the passing nerves. I knew when I when out with her, our cover would be blown but never did anyone give us trouble. Got a a few stares but that was all. In addition, I didn't understand for a long time how bad my voice was so every time I opened my mouth, I blew my cover. It couldn't be helped until voice surgery became available but again it didn't prevent me from living a normal life. Many of us are moving around and most have had a time or two when they didn't pass but very few have been injured as the result.

[Punzie]

Welcome to Susan's Katie! I'm so proud of you for being able to embrace your true self and start looking towards a happy future for yourself. You shouldn't have to worry about feeling discouraged or potentially not being able to pass. Just being able to be yourself is an amazing thing and joining Susan's was a great step. ^^

[Rachel]

Welcome to Susan's.

You look fine and 24 is a good time to start.

See a gender therapist and figure out what you want to do.

[RedheadWhovian]

Welcome to the community! As a fellow Whovian and a redophile (redheads are my kryptonite), I would like to point you to the Doctor Who thread in the Entertainment section. Granted, I'm two weeks behind, and haven't posted in the thread in a while, but you're among friends ^.^

Oh my gosh! Fellow whovians, yaaaaay!!!! ^_^ I'm so glad to meet you. I will check out that section in just a bit.