Early vs Late TS

[seldom]

Actually knowledge about this was not as readily available even over ten years ago.  Its in the last five years that you can readily get information.
Oh, that and we actually gained some rights in about a dozen or so states in the meantime, which makes a huge difference. 

[Karla B]

I was born In 1960, As a little kid I was different,I just didn't know it, I had some unusual ways for a little boy to behave. As a teen In the 70s, I had the unusual thoughts and urges to go with it. In the 80s, I had some kind of understanding about myself and tried to fight it,but it, for some strange reason kept returning.
Now in my late 40s, I sit here, thinking that old but true saying: "IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, things would be alot different for me".
I would have this behind me already.
For the younger people transitioning now, the road is already paved. It's not that it's any easier,but there's all kinds of info available to them now which could atleast help in understanding themselves, seek help and be able to communicate with others just like them, No matter where they might be in the world. Isn't the net Beautiful?

[Jessica]

Lots and lots of threats to send me off to military school.

That's actually kind of funny.

I begged to go to military school to prevent my parents from finding out and to try and be a guy.
I did too, for 2 years (Freshman and Sophomore in High School).

[Lisbeth]

Lots and lots of threats to send me off to military school.

That's actually kind of funny.

I begged to go to military school to prevent my parents from finding out and to try and be a guy.
I did too, for 2 years (Freshman and Sophomore in High School).

Speaking of military school...  Mother leaves boot camp trial in tears

[melissa90299]

Actually knowledge about this was not as readily available even over ten years ago.  Its in the last five years that you can readily get information.
Oh, that and we actually gained some rights in about a dozen or so states in the meantime, which makes a huge difference. 

All one needs to start transition these days is an internet connection and a credit card.

[Lori]

I was waiting until i had a fully established career, a spouse, kids, a beautiful house, all the toys I ever wanted just so I could give them up and end up sobbing, poor, jobless, homeless, and hated.

Its like X games for gender. I'm a thrill seeker 

Seriously....I was just too scared. I thought I could beat it....in the end it wins, you lose...and the older you are (I'm 39) the worse it is. Would I have done this at 20? Not a day goes by where I don't wish I knew then what I know now. Hind sight is 20/20 and while I am jealous of young transitioners, I'm happy to be getting on with my life now.

[TheBattler]

Hi Lori,

I can so relate. I have been scared to call myself female because I did not want to think I am TS. My journey has taken me to the point where I just need to relax (stop fighting myself) and see where I end up. Transistion for me may not be to far away - I am preparing for it.

Alice

[Lori]

Hi Lori,

I can so relate. I have been scared to call myself female because I did not want to think I am TS. My journey has taken me to the point where I just need to relax (stop fighting myself) and see where I end up. Transistion for me may not be to far away - I am preparing for it.

Alice

Its about DAMN time you did something.  I told you a long time ago..whining, crying, and fighting it is wasting valuable time. Just accept things they way they are and it will work out in the end. Acceptance is the first step. That was your major hill to get over. It was painful to see you mull it over day after miserable day. Don't you feel better already as though a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders?

[TheBattler]

Hi Lori,

I can so relate. I have been scared to call myself female because I did not want to think I am TS. My journey has taken me to the point where I just need to relax (stop fighting myself) and see where I end up. Transistion for me may not be to far away - I am preparing for it.

Alice

Its about DAMN time you did something.  I told you a long time ago..whining, crying, and fighting it is wasting valuable time. Just accept things they way they are and it will work out in the end. Acceptance is the first step. That was your major hill to get over. It was painful to see you mull it over day after miserable day. Don't you feel better already as though a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders?

ROLF

A big weight has been lifted (someone else can have it) - I can tell myself all day I am female and I can now just relax and let it take hold. So easier then fighting myself all day then being tired.

Alice

[shanetastic]

Actually knowledge about this was not as readily available even over ten years ago.  Its in the last five years that you can readily get information.
Oh, that and we actually gained some rights in about a dozen or so states in the meantime, which makes a huge difference. 

All one needs to start transition these days is an internet connection and a credit card.

Yep.  And even a kid can walk into any store and buy a prepaid Visa credit card, go online and in a matter of minutes find a source for offshore hormones.  Had I been born say about 1995 or so, I can assure you before I turned 14 I would have found me some hormones and I would already be 90% transitioned short of surgery by the time I was 16.
Jeez it's soooo easy these days now if one really wants to.   IF I could go back and do it all over again, I would do it young, not like I am now.

Yeah, but when your young you have the rest of your life ahead of you, so you better not make any mistakes, especially when it comes to hormones. 

[Berliegh]

I was born In 1960, As a little kid I was different,I just didn't know it, I had some unusual ways for a little boy to behave. As a teen In the 70s, I had the unusual thoughts and urges to go with it. In the 80s, I had some kind of understanding about myself and tried to fight it,but it, for some strange reason kept returning.
Now in my late 40s, I sit here, thinking that old but true saying: "IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, things would be alot different for me".
I would have this behind me already.
For the younger people transitioning now, the road is already paved. It's not that it's any easier,but there's all kinds of info available to them now which could atleast help in understanding themselves, seek help and be able to communicate with others just like them, No matter where they might be in the world. Isn't the net Beautiful?

I'm about the same age as you Karla and although I knew how I felt from quite an early age, I didn't know what to do about it. I saw a TV programe in the 1970's about three transsexuals but it was publically fairly unheard of at that time. By the early 1980's I was quite desperate and used to take contraceptive pills, usually from girlfriends. By 1990 I was trying to access a way of getting treatment but at that time in the U.K it was still very limited and expensive. It took anther 7 years before I was on HRT.

Late transisioners like myself may not have wanted to start early and the heartache that goes with it is probably a lot worse. We didn't have the internet, we didn't have the same access that is available now and it still makes me quite unhappy that I wasn't able to transition at 18. My mind was made up back then and if I could have got on to HRT at 18 I would have. Taking the pill was all I could do and it may have helped a bit in slowing down the effect of testoterone.

...So some late transitioners were actually early transitioners but limited in resourses during the 1970's and 1980's..

[Enigma]

Actually knowledge about this was not as readily available even over ten years ago.  Its in the last five years that you can readily get information.
Oh, that and we actually gained some rights in about a dozen or so states in the meantime, which makes a huge difference. 

All one needs to start transition these days is an internet connection and a credit card.

Yep.  And even a kid can walk into any store and buy a prepaid Visa credit card, go online and in a matter of minutes find a source for offshore hormones.  Had I been born say about 1995 or so, I can assure you before I turned 14 I would have found me some hormones and I would already be 90% transitioned short of surgery by the time I was 16.
Jeez it's soooo easy these days now if one really wants to.   IF I could go back and do it all over again, I would do it young, not like I am now.

Yeah, but when your young you have the rest of your life ahead of you, so you better not make any mistakes, especially when it comes to hormones. 

This always strikes me as such a gatekeeperish attutude, IMHO most often echoed by the much older TSs; yet they are the same people that insist they always knew from early on.  If we all agree that we know early on, then why do we as a culture insist on forcing TSs through the wrong puberty before we allow them the correct hormones?

Provided that the child has followed the proper steps they should be allow access to medications, appropriate to their age, whether its drugs to block and/or full on hormones or the "correct" gender.

[shanetastic]

Actually knowledge about this was not as readily available even over ten years ago.  Its in the last five years that you can readily get information.
Oh, that and we actually gained some rights in about a dozen or so states in the meantime, which makes a huge difference. 

All one needs to start transition these days is an internet connection and a credit card.

Yep.  And even a kid can walk into any store and buy a prepaid Visa credit card, go online and in a matter of minutes find a source for offshore hormones.  Had I been born say about 1995 or so, I can assure you before I turned 14 I would have found me some hormones and I would already be 90% transitioned short of surgery by the time I was 16.
Jeez it's soooo easy these days now if one really wants to.   IF I could go back and do it all over again, I would do it young, not like I am now.

Yeah, but when your young you have the rest of your life ahead of you, so you better not make any mistakes, especially when it comes to hormones. 

This always strikes me as such a gatekeeperish attutude, IMHO most often echoed by the much older TSs; yet they are the same people that insist they always knew from early on.  If we all agree that we know early on, then why do we as a culture insist on forcing TSs through the wrong puberty before we allow them the correct hormones?

Provided that the child has followed the proper steps they should be allow access to medications, appropriate to their age, whether its drugs to block and/or full on hormones or the "correct" gender.

Heh, I can't believe I freaking said that my gosh!!

Ignore that post   I don't know what the heck I was on there.

(and i'm not a "much older ts" well at least I don't think.  Maybe I was just trying to say, just make sure.  Not a way of me influencing or saying that the gatekeeper approach is right.  I was burden to that and I think it's ridiculous that some people just simply deny you and won't believe you because of your age.)

[cindybc]

Similar kind of story here about the 60's and 70's, except for the military part of it. I tried to join the army when I was 18 but I was to small, I hated my size back then. I didn't start transition until I was fifty for the similar reason as Wing Walker and Lisbeth.

My first try at transitioning, unwittingly,  if this can be classified as transitioning. I ran away from home when I was 16 and ended up in New York with the hippies. Because of my size and the long hair I was mistaken as a girl and I got away with it for a year and a half. I even had a boy friend. so I didn't dare tell anyone and just went along with it until a year and a half later where I had to go back home, That tore my heart out, but I knew it had to be. 

Just hang in there Lisbeth hon, the journey is so well worth it. Just be the best you, you can be and just be her, embrace her for she is the most precious possession one can hope for in this world, she is the very soul of your being.

I know I'm getting on in years but these were the most precious and wonderful 7 years of my life. I had a wonderful job working with those in need,  I have met my partner five years ago, she  would literally has given of her self and her love to me unconditionally. I have seen much and traveled much and everywhere I have been in the US and Canada people have been cordial and I was well treated. I have been much blessed and if were to depart from this world I would go with a smile on my face.

Cindy

[melissa90299]

I tried to transition when I was 16 by rubbing my mom's estrogen cream on me. It didn't work!

[Berliegh]

I don't think this thread should exists.....and why post Early verses late. A lot of people's experiences are not gauged by time and are likely to be a case of good luck or bad luck depending on the timescale that their transition has taken. In my own case I fit into both catagories....I started young at 24 with hormones but it took much longer than I wanted it to take and I had many fights with the U.K GIC system and I'm still trying to get a referral for GRS now in my 40's..

[melissa90299]

Berleigh makes a good point. At this point in time, there is no such thing as "early and late transitioners." The word transition as it is used in this context did not even exist until fairly recently.

[cindybc]

Hi Berleigh
This ticks me off with the British health system, "REALY TICKS ME OFF!" If you wish hon, Wing Walker and I have a place for you to come and stay with us in British Columbia. Get the SRS Done then plan what ever it is would wish to do in life. I know it is much easier once you are finally you, well it is.

Cindy