Hi everyone!

[popa910]

Hey everyone,

I just want to introduce myself:  I'm 22 years old, wrapping up my senior year of university.  While I do not currently consider myself to be transgender, within the past half year or so (and particularly the past month), I've begun questioning what my gender really is, which is what brought me here; I want to learn more about myself.  I'm new to the LGBTQ+ scene, so please let me know if I'm saying something offensive.  I despair of the thought of injuring any of you. :/

I've always considered myself a straight male (I currently have a girlfriend, whom I've been dating for a few years), and I am not questioning whether or not I prefer women; I am confident that I am attracted to women.  However, only recently have I begun to consider the possibility that some of the ways in which I never quite fit in might be attributable to my gender identity.

I've never really felt like I was "trapped in the wrong body" or anything similar, but I do often find that I can identify better with females than males.  I've always been, or at least felt that I have been, a bit of an outsider, although I believe that at least part of this can be attributed simply to my atypical beliefs and thought processes.  I grew up like a stereotypical straight male, playing sports and video games and hoping to find an awesome girlfriend.  However, I have occasionally displayed feminine mannerisms and connected with what I consider to be "my feminine side"; my (rather conservative baby-boomer) dad has more than once asked me something along the lines of, "You're not gay, are you?"

I'll wrap up by saying that I'm looking forward to exploring myself and learning who I really am.  I'm planning on testing how I feel about this by first cross dressing after I hopefully get a job and my own place after I graduate in the next few weeks.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!  And please let me know if you have any advice for me.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. There are two types of dysphoria. One is body and the other is social. It possible to have either or both but it sounds like you might be social. As for your sexual preference, that doesn't enter into the picture. It would be possible and acceptable for you to become a woman and be sexually attracted to women. As you are not certain if you are transgender, I am giving you two links. The first is our WIKI where you will learn about the word transgender. The second link is "the transition channel" where you will be able to answer a number of questions about yourself and possibly get a better understanding of what you feel. Post any questions you might have on this thread and I will do my best to answer them.

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

[popa910]

Thanks for the info, Dena!

And sorry for not explaining myself fully when I mentioned my sexuality.  I'm aware the gender and sexuality are two different things.  What I neglected to mention is that I think it may be possible that my sexuality, which I perceived as heterosexual, may have deceived me into believing I am a heterosexual man, when it is entirely possible that I could, as you say, be more properly a woman who is attracted to women.

[Dena]

When it come to explaining something complex, it's easy to leave a detail out. As a programmer I tend to catch missing details and tailor my answer to be as complete as possible covering the gaps. What we are worried about here is your gender identity because that is what you will be treated for. You may have noticed we sometimes talk about sexual preference because sex is an important part of life for many people but it is a side issue. Enjoy the links as it's past bed time for me.

[V M]

Hi Popa 

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

Hugs

V M

[Laura_7]

Hello and welcome 

Here are a few resources that could help you:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,188309.msg1674885.html#msg1674885

And you might think about talking to an experienced gender therapist ... to help you along ...
or ask for counseling at plannedparenthood or a lgbt center ... and a referral ...


hugs

[gennee]

Hello Popa and welcome to Susan's.

[Devlyn]

Hi Popa, welcome to Susan's Place! I'm the resident Bostonian. Grab a chair and get comfortable! See you around the site!

Hugs, Devlyn