Am I Transgender

[The Redheaded Musician]

I'm a 17 year old biological male

I need help figuring out if I'm transgender. I feel like a girl quite sometimes. When I get dressed, it's sometimes for sexual pleasure, or just because it feels right. Sometimes I'm perfectly fine in my male body.

[Dani]

This is something only you can answer. A therapist can help, but it must be your own decision.

For many of us the need to transition was so overwhelming that at times the only possible solution was for self destruction because the social consequences of transitioning were just not acceptable. Many of us had to start a new life after transition. This includes employment and family issues. We each had to come to terms with our own issues and make a plan.

Talking with a therapist trained in gender issues is the best source for exploring yourself. The next best is local face to face support groups and then comes internet. Here at Susan's Place we try to be supportive and we can tell you our own experiences, but we cannot make any decisions for you.

At 17, do your parents know? Are they open to discussion? How about friends? Are you living with your parents or are you on your own? These are all things that will pretty much determine what you can do now. You are still quite young, so please, don't give up. For now, just make a plan that you can live with.

[KathyLauren]

Hi, RM!

Welcome to Susan's.

Talking to a gender therapist is the best way to explore these feelings.  It certainly sounds possible from your description that you may be transgender.  But only you can decide for sure.  A therapist will help you figure it out.

Please feel free to stop by the Introductions forum to tell the members about yourself.  Here is some information that we like to share with new members:

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	Cautionary Note	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

[Devlyn]

Welcome to Susan's Place, Redheaded Musician! I don't know if you're transgender, but thinking you are, finding a transgender site, making an account, and asking the question are an awful lot of hurdles that most people who aren't transgender don't clear. 

Hang out here, ask questions, learn yourself. The answer will become clear to you. See you around the site!

Hugs, Devlyn

[Northern Star Girl]

Hello The Redheaded Musician, I see that you are new here and have questions and concerns, this is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances.

WELCOME to Susan's Place.  You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others about your transition and to read about others transition and their trials, tribulations, and successes in their transition journey. 
It is nice that you have signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other members.
When frustrated or if you have a successful moment in your journey you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. You might even find that you will make some new friends here.  Please come in and get involved at your own pace.
Again, Welcome.
Danielle

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. As always, therapy would help. From what you describe, you are sometimes uncomfortable with your birth gender and that's the description of somebody who is transgender. The problem/question is where do you fit in and what do you want to do about it. Only you can determine that however I have a couple of links you might want to look at. The first is our WIKI where you will learn more about what it is to be transgender. The second link is "the transition channel" where you will be able to explore your feelings in more detail. Feel free to ask more questions and was will do our best to answer them.

[V M]

Hi Red 

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

Hugs

V M

[Degenderate]

Hi, welcome!

Some good advice I was given is that you can always try out different expressions and identities and see what feels right - you don't really need to "nail down" what you are, and there are a ton of variations. Somewhere in the intersection of the body that feels right, the way you express yourself publically, and the identity that seems most fitting, you'll likely find a combination that feels correct to you. And it's totally normal if those feelings change from day to day, some people are more fluid than others.

Of course, you may not be in a situation in life where you can explore and express those things offline, and that's where exploring around this website and the wiki will do you a lot of good. Take things at your own pace and don't feel pressured, you're among friends.   

[LizK]

Welcome to the mad house that is Susans!! 

Are you transgender...someone already pointed out you have gone much further that many do just by making an account and asking the question. It says to me you have enough discomfort with the way things are to at least ask the question.

There is no one right way to be trans but I guess the essential element being that you are not comfortable with you gender as assigned at birth. From that point on its up to you as to how you want to deal with that. Some need to transition , some don't. Some of us seek to medically change our bodies to be more comfortable while some don't and are able to be happy by transitioning socially.

I hope you manage to find you way through

take care

Liz

[softbutchharley]

Welcome to Susan's Place musician I agree and advise as those above...talk to a licensed therapist experienced with TG concerns in your area.
This web site is a great place for resources and info, and always remember to be true to yourself