Hi, my name is Erica and I just became a member of this site. A little about myself: I am fairly new to the transgender world, having started hormone replacement therapy last September 1st. Although, like all of us gender dysphoria has been a huge part of my life as long as I can remember. I did not truly begin to come out until I retired, due to what can only be described as cowardice.
I am big--six foot four, two hundred fifty plus pounds, a carpenter and construction worker for forty years. I always used my size as the excuse for not coming out, since "passing" is pretty much out of the question for me. ( I also have big feet and hands and a deep voice.)
However, I finally reached the point, helped immensely by a wonderful therapist, where I decided that I was not going to live the rest of my life based on what other people think, say or do. If they can't handle seeing a quite large transgender woman that's their problem, not mine. I'd like to think that I am doing pretty well, appearance wise, given what I have to work with, but I know I have a lot (tons!) to learn.
I have been out an about now as Erica, doing normal every day things, maybe a total of forty or fifty times so far. I still have yet to come out in my home town. It is very small (2,600), very rural, and pretty redneck. I hope to move soon to Eugene Oregon where I have family and I feel very safe and comfortable being my true self.
I would love to hear from anyone out there. I would love any tips or advice, and just get to know other transgender women, especially since there aren't many (none that I know of so far) in my area.
I hope to someday be able to help others who are starting out, and encourage those who have doubts and fears. I guess I feel like the fact that I can never hope to pass as a woman offers me a constant challenge, but also a constant opportunity to confront the fears and phobias of the ignorant and hopefully help educate people. That's sort of becoming my life's goal now. I have spent so much of my life around macho guys in the construction field (trying with uneven results to fit in with them in the past) and I know how many men think. Sad to say, many have very antiquated and unenlightened views about any genetic male who is less than "manly". I know this is not news to any of you out there. I just hope I can reach a few and do what I can to dispel some of the ignorance.
I know this is a long post. I don't know what the typical introduction is like for a new member, but I hope to get to know some of you in the future via this forum.
I'm glad to be here and wish only love and happiness to all.
Erica 7
ps--I would attach a picture but I don't know how to do it. I'm hopelessly inept and ignorant when it comes to modern technology!
