My public coming out letter

[Susan]

Hour 3. Last names abbreviated for their privacy.

Syl M., Nick B., Yvette R. and 50 others like this.

Steve Mulligan
Makes no matter, your mind, your heart are the same Susan.

Devlyn M.
As someone who only knows Susan and never met Bill, I will say "Thank you, Bill, for taking her so far."

Ria J.
Susan, I wish you all the best and you do know where to go if you need support. smile emoticon

Jeff B.
CONGRATS !!

Rosa P.
Thanks for sharing Susan!! Very brave!!

Blayne C.
You confided this to me early in our friendship and I have ALWAYS appreciated your honesty and trust.

I used to call you Bill, now I'll call you Susan....but I will always call you friend.

Carrie K.
Prayers for you going through this smoothly and fully supported by love and open arms all around. No one has the right to judge another's life, but everyone seems to do just that. You live your life being happy and free and exactly the person you want to be! Prayers and love to you!

Bryant H.
I admit I don't understand, but I do know we all live as best we can. Best of luck.

Teresa And Nick M.
Congrats and blessings to you Susan!

Linda B.
Love to you, Susan.

John V.
Glad to meet you at last Susan.

Nick B.
Sup Suze?!?! Pleased to meet you! Ive never actually heard a transgender tell their story, so thank you. Btw, yeah im gonna be that ass who calls you Suze.

Stacy and Paul R.
Proud for you!
Proud to call you my friend!!

[lostcharlie]

 

[Jacqueline]

Susan,

Congratulations. Stay strong and I wish you a smooth journey.

With warmth,

Joanna

[JLT1]

Congratulations.

Hugs

Jen

[Tessa James]

Congratulations Susan!   Way to own the name, the game and the rest of this Place.  I confess some surprise to understand this is your public coming out.  I just assumed you had done all that and had been out forever.  A pleasant reminder of how wrong our assumptions about another person can be.

I will add to your grateful chorus of well wishers and thank you again for your personal investment in this Place.

[starting_anew]

Congratulations Susan beautiful letter.  I came out publicly on facebook not too long ago myself, and it also went (in general) quite well.  All the best to you!!

[Dee Marshall]

Susan I am so happy for you! I'll admit to being astounded that you're only now coming out to the world, you've been the doula for the births of so many into their true selves. I don't know you, except from here, but I'm proud to say I know you even that much! It's so freeing and gratifying to come out to the world and get such responses, isn't it?

[Saison Marguerite]

Wow Susan, I did not know that you had not been out before. I assumed that you were fully transitioned and out for many years. To run this website and do so many things for transgender people all while hiding your true self from much of the world must have been very taxing, I admire you for doing so all these years. And I am glad that you finally are able to be yourself to everyone in your life. Happy 2016!

[suzifrommd]

To run this website and do so many things for transgender people all while hiding your true self from much of the world must have been very taxing, I admire you for doing so all these years.

I have to second this. I've known for some time that you were not out to everyone or living full-time. I don't know what it's been like, but I've imagined now and then what it must feel like to have helped thousands of people become their true selves while you essentially took a number and waited your turn. You're a strong woman for hanging on through all that.

It makes my heart happy to know that the wonderful gift you've given so many others will be yours as well.

[Susan]

Hour 5. Last names abbreviated for their privacy.

Dana B., Morgan C., Annette T. and 63 others like this.

Darren M.
Wishing all the best, Susan.

Carmila M.
What a journey! So exciting that you finally get to celebrate your true self. I love seeing people flourish. Hope to see you soon at an upcoming Bernie event, Susan!

Phyllis S.
The only two things that you can do in life is be true to yourself and do the best you can. Everything else will fall into place. A rose by any other name smells just as sweet.

Jen S.
You have not only spilled out your heart and honesty in a most informative way, you have demonstrated to us what an amazing person you are and have become over the course of your transitioning.

I would like to say it's not really a transitioning if you have felt this way forever but more like an awakening. I have a few friends that have also taken this plunge and come out so fulfilled!

What I got out of this the most was the fact you started a HUGE support base for people struggling like you have done and turned your woes into such positiveness, not only for you but for others. You website shows this. The people that you (possibly) have changed and saved are grateful, I'm sure.

Keep doing what you're doing. You deserve to be happy.

Cindy M.
People who love you want you to be happy. "Know your truth", and follow it. Congrats on giving yourself that freedom and "knowing your truth", as my best friend Rebecca B. would say.

Amy C.
I admire your courage. Congratulations, Susan!

Barbara W.
Special thoughts and support!!

Dana B.
You do what you have to do to make it right! This is between you and God and you!! We are just people and friend all around you that have our own opinions and always love to share them!! You have to be happy with you!! 😀

[Lyndsey]

I just got done posting this to my male facebook which has 1200 friends...

Oh My Susan

So many years have come and gone. When I found your web site here it was a blessing for me as I have had so much help from so many people here. After reading you coming out letter I have to say I was Crying both in sad for what we have to go threw but also in happiness for what we achieve for ourselves. The hardest thing that we can ever do is coming out as Transexual as you have said. I remember the day that I came out I was so scared and almost couldn't speak. But I have to say what a big load off me weather or not they excepted me or not, all I know was I didn't have to carry that in me ever again. It was out.That is been a few years now and after I had come out I like all of us lost some friends that I thought were friends and I gained far more than I have lost. Today I'm a very happy women and I'm very proud of who I have become. If People want to ask a question than I will answer It the best that I can. I'm lucky in one way as I raised my children by myself and LOL they always gave me both Mothers day and Fathers day Cards because they said I was both all in one. Now they all call me mom and my grand children all call me Gram's so when I go up to my other home In New Hampshire they only know me as Lyndsey Marie and will never know anything more than that, I like to vanish into the woodwork when I go up there and It is such a wonderful feeling.

Happily submitted
Lyndsey Marie

[Susan]

Shared this with them, showing them how happy they made me. I really gotta practice smiling.

[Lyndsey]

Shared this with them, showing them how happy they made me. I really gotta practice smiling.

Hi Susan

Think of how Happy you are now that should help you smile.
Hugs
Lyndsey

[iKate]

I am happy you are happy. You will experience the joy many of us have living authentically. Of course as I said - your community will be here to support you. Thanks for all you have done.

[Sybil]

I have to second this. I've known for some time that you were not out to everyone or living full-time. I don't know what it's been like, but I've imagined now and then what it must feel like to have helped thousands of people become their true selves while you essentially took a number and waited your turn. You're a strong woman for hanging on through all that.

It makes my heart happy to know that the wonderful gift you've given so many others will be yours as well.

I have to echo this, as well.

I found this website when I was 17, in 2002 (I signed up much later). It was the first of anything to let me know that I was not only sane, but that I was not alone - and that there was something, a lot of somethings, that I could do for myself.

Reading your letter now, I cannot remember the last time I felt so subdued. I am very sad to know that time and self could not have been more charitable with you, Susan, but all the more so delighted to have seen them give way at last.

If there were an especially candid word - or if so, that I could simply know it - to simultaneously express best wishes and palpable thanks, I would be only too happy to write and leave it for you here.

[Ms Grace]

A great pic Susan - I am very happy for you that your announcement has been so well received by those close to you.

It is a testament also to the important work you have done and continue to do in the trans community that - despite some random haters - you are so well regarded and respected. This site, and everything it offers has provided so much help to so many people - many of whom are in crisis when they join - you deserve every accolade and all the well wishes you receive. Apart from there not being much of an internet in 1991, I know I really could have used a place like this when I was 24, transitioning alone and afraid - so I know what it feels like to try and transition without a community to support you and the resources, calming words and wisdom of experience that this site brings to the users today is so invaluable.

Congratulations!

[Mariah]

Congrats. I'm so happy for you that the announcement was well received. How special and important you are to all of us and those around you shows and it shows in the support you received. I didn't have the guts to do it the way you did myself so it's a tremendous accomplishment that you accomplished today. A beautiful picture too. Hugs
Mariah

[Mariah]

Smiles take time. You will get used to it and before you know it you will be smiling naturally and happily. I had the same problem in my early transition pictures. Hugs
Mariah

Shared this with them, showing them how happy they made me. I really gotta practice smiling.

[KathyLauren]

Congratulations, Susan!

I must admit to being surprised.  I know that Susan's Place has been around since, like, forever, so I just assumed that you had been out for a long time.  Well, we know where assuming gets one.   

I am just starting out on my journey, and I am supremely grateful for this wonderful and supportive community that you have created.  Just having a place to talk to others and read about others' experiences has been a huge help and relief to me.

I am happy for you that you have your own supportive community to stand by you.

[FTMax]

Yay! I haven't stopped smiling reading all of your responses. So happy that it went well for you, and glad you've found so much support