Student Interveiw

[hippielove88]

Hello my name is corrine , and i am a freshman student at wilmington university, for a class i am taking racial and ethnic groups, i have a choice in interveiwing anyone that has a diffirent background than myself, i have always wanted to learn much more on transgender and the lifestyle, and i am hoping that some one will be willing to talk to me about thier experiences, I am very open minded and just want to further my growth with new people and new topics, so please help me! let me know if your interested please and thank you very much.

Peace and Love to all

[Sarah Louise]

Welcome to Susans.  I hope you take time to look around and get familiar with the rules and the information available here.

To me your use of the term Lifestyle makes this sound like a choice we make, something we just decide to do.  This is something we are born with, to me it is a birth defect.

I hope you get some good responses.

Sarah L.

[lacitychick21]

Hi Corrine!

I graduate this semester! Woohoo for college kids!

Um...so yeah, I'll be more than happy to answer any of your questions, or maybe others here will too. If you'd like, post your questions! I'm sure more than a few people will learn great things from just talking amongst ourselves and with you. 

Oh and as for "lifestyle," Sarah made a great point but I'm sure you meant no harm by it. You'll catch the vernacular pretty quickly.

[Kate]

i have a choice in interveiwing anyone that has a diffirent background than myself, i have always wanted to learn much more on transgender and the lifestyle...

I think what you're going to learn is that we're NOT different. There's no "transsexual lifestyle" any more than there's a "non-transsexual lifestyle." I pay my taxes, go to work, and take out the trash. Usually. When I remember, lol.

But there's nothing I "do" because I transitioned. I just live a normal life. If you followed me around with a camera for a month to document "Life as a Transsexual," you'd find it an incredibly boring documentary, because my life ISN'T "as a transsexual," it's just as Kate

On the other hand, keep in mind that the term "transgender" can encompass many things, from crossdressing to gender-benders to drag queens to... you get the idea. I personally don't feel transsexuals fall under that umbrella term, but that's just me

~Kate~

[Sandy]

i have a choice in interveiwing anyone that has a diffirent background than myself, i have always wanted to learn much more on transgender and the lifestyle...

I think what you're going to learn is that we're NOT different. There's no "transsexual lifestyle" any more than there's a "non-transsexual lifestyle." I pay my taxes, go to work, and take out the trash. Usually. When I remember, lol.

But there's nothing I "do" because I transitioned. I just live a normal life. If you followed me around with a camera for a month to document "Life as a Transsexual," you'd find it an incredibly boring documentary, because my life ISN'T "as a transsexual," it's just as Kate

On the other hand, keep in mind that the term "transgender" can encompass many things, from crossdressing to gender-benders to drag queens to... you get the idea. I personally don't feel transsexuals fall under that umbrella term, but that's just me

~Kate~

As just about everyone else said, it's no more a lifestyle than being black or Asian is a lifestyle.  And Kate makes a good point, we're just folks, we just want to be treated the same as others.

Anyway, Corrine, feel free to post your questions and if you only end up with about a gazillion responses, that just means that we're having an off day.

-Sandy(we're very introverted, you know. )

[lacitychick21]

I dunno...

Maybe I'm going against the popular opinion here, but though I know I'm remarkably normal and like everyone else (to the point of being boring) I understand that we've experienced something almost no one else has: A transition from one gender to another. I mean, c'mon, we can't exactly liken that to going from single to married, yanno?

I pay taxes, I work, I have friends, I enjoy long walks on the beach, and I bleed red, sure, but I think Corrine is referring to the inherent difficulty from being known as one gender and enduring the heart-ache, love, sadness and happiness of becoming one's true gender. That's something no other group can know and it's something that I embrace (as much as I curse it!  ).

[Moira Midnigh]

Kate makes an excellent point ^.^

Anyway, yeah, feel free to look around and ask if there's anything you want to know. You could do a survey via the PM system once you get enough posts, or something like that.

Good luck with it, and I hope we can contribute!


~Moi

[cindianna_jones]

These days, the only "transsexual" aspect to my life is my participation on this forum. 

I live a very normal and peaceful life here in the mountains.  My lifestyle choices are that I play in a local community symphony orchestra and that I enjoy astronomy with friends.

One thing that you'll discover is that sexuality and proclivities are seldom discussed among transsexuals.  Yes, they are important to many of us but some of us have no sexual desires or interests.  You might also be surprised that many MTF's, (I'm guessing about a third) will pursue relationships with women after surgery.

Cindi

[hippielove88]

these are a few sdtarter interveiw questions that I will begin with:

did you or didnt you always feel uncomfortable with your body than you were born with.?

how did this transition affect you relationships with your family and friends?

now after your transistion are you satisfied and happier with your life?

how long did the transition take?

your age

and everyone i am so appreciative for your comments.. i have a feeling that this will come out great. oh and if these questions offend you in any way please tell me , i am here to learn the proper vocabulary and have no intentions of being disrespectful.

Love and Happiness to all

[lacitychick21]

Did you or didn't you always feel uncomfortable with your body than you were born with?
--Comfortable with my physical body or my gender?? I was very uncomfortable with my given gender from as far back as my oldest memories, (an inexplicable "knowing" something wasn't right).

How did this transition affect you relationships with your family and friends?
--All my friend's are gone as is half my family (dad's side). Mom's side are my biggest supporters. Something I recently thought of, which made me sad, was the fact that all my friends today are "transition years old." A joke I make meaning, I've carried no friends over since pre-transition but the new friends I have been made have been built on a much more solid foundation... like MeghanAndrews...she's mah hoe. LoL 

Now, after your transition, are you satisfied and happier with your life?
-- My heart of hearts knew I was making the right decision, but there was a little something inside me with doubts... What if this doesn't change the persistent pain and torment I felt. I wasn't prepared for exactly how much happier I would become. Imagine thinking you knew "happy," then suddenly, you're taken to a whole new level of happiness you never thought even remotely fathomable... then make it twice as intense. LoL It was kind of like that.

how long did the transition take?
--For me, from the moment I popped my very first pill it took one year, three months and ten days to "full-time," and I've been full-time for two years, three months and seven days.   

Your age
--I can only disclose I'm in my 20s. LoL..and that I graduate today! Construe what you will...

but you'll all excuse me... it's almost 5 a.m. and I have about three hours of hair and makeup ahead of me! WOOHOO! I'm graduating!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this helps, and good luck on your project!

[Kate]

did you or didnt you always feel uncomfortable with your body than you were born with.?

Yes, always, although for me it was more about missing being female more than hating being male. I never felt an urge to mutilate my genitals or anything like that. I just desperately needed to be (have been born) female.

how did this transition affect you relationships with your family and friends?

It didn't really. My parents have always been kinda distant, and that didn't change. They haven't seen me since I transitioned, so it's not real for them yet. We talk on the phone, and it's just the same old as before.

My friends and (wifes) family didn't have any problems with it. You'd just think I've always been Kate since birth.

My 25 or so coworkers were the same way, although it took time to break the habit of referring to me by my male name and male pronouns. No one cared that I transitioned though. I'm just Kate to them now.

Overall, I'm MUCH closer now with everyone I knew before. People are more open with me, and I'm more relaxed and carefree with them. We DO things together all the time now, where before it was kinda rare to get together.

now after your transistion are you satisfied and happier with your life?

Happier with ME. I'm relaxed. Friendlier. Open. Social. I laugh constantly. I smile all the time.

My life was already pretty cool, and now I'm able to actually enjoy it more. There was a time I wondered if it was an "appropriate" life for Kate now, but I've relaxed since then, and I'm just letting things evolve as they may.

Life is good

how long did the transition take?

Well, if you consider "transition" to be HRT until living 24/7 as Kate, then about 8 months.

your age

40s

~Kate~

[jenny_]

did you or didnt you always feel uncomfortable with your body than you were born with.?

I've always felt uncomfortable being a boy for as long as I can remember.  Its difficult to describe, but it never felt right, like being a boy wasn't real, almost like being 'male' was an act.

Feelings about my body specifically is easier to answer.  Growing up I paid little attention to my body and its physical form didn't bother.  After puberty, I did become uncomfortable.  It wasn't like an overnight thing, it came gradually.  I really hated the changes to the body during puberty, and the longer I had to live with it the harder it became.

how did this transition affect you relationships with your family and friends?

My family struggled with it, especially when i first told them.  My mum was really against it, but after a few months she came to accept it and is now actually quite surportive, which i was surprised by.  My dad doesn't like it, but just ignores it.

My friends have mostly been supportive.  My closest friends don't treat me any differently and been really supportive.  Some friends did struggle at first with it, but they admitted that was just because they didn't understand it or hadn't met a transsexual before.

I have lost a few friends though.  They never said really mean or anything but they were never comfortable with it and found it weird.

But I do know who my real friends are now

now after your transistion are you satisfied and happier with your life?

Short answer yes.
Long answer, there were points after which I became happier.  Part of my unhappiness was not being able to accept myself for who I am, and part to do with my body.

I suffered from depression when I was 16, and self-harmed (not nice).  That didn't really end until I stopped trying to be masculine, and was just myself.  And I was happier for a while.  Then a few years after that I felt I couldn't cope with carrying on living as male and told my friends and family I was transsexual, which came with a huge sense of relief.

I'm still pre-op, but transition has definitely made me loads happier and I can't wait till I've finished, but self-acceptence has played a big part in making me happier as well as transitioning.

how long did the transition take?

I haven't finished yet and it depends on what you count as transition.  But i came out 18 months ago, started therapy after 6 months, started hrt (hormone therapy) now, and hope to have surgery in a year.  So thats like 2 or 2.5 years.

your age

22

Hope this helps
Jenny
x x

[hippielove88]

Thanks to everyone, these are wonderful responses, I am wondering if there is aany one willing to provide an email so I may have a more in depth interveiw with you. mine is : neave88@aol.com, you can just email me or leave it on here, I would be very much appreciative for your support. and please keep the responses coming.

[Case]

did you or didnt you always feel uncomfortable with your body than you were born with.?

I was always comfortable being a male, personally. When I got to the age of 12 a friend of mine and I would play house, and I would always want to be the girl. We wen't pretty in depth in our play as far as that wen't. There has always been "signs" of me being Transsexual.. always that need to be the opposite gender. But for me, personally, I am also comfortable being a male. I just feel a lot more comfortable being a female 

how did this transition affect you relationships with your family and friends?

My parents no longer speak to me, my wife left me earlier this week, and I don't really communicate with any of my old friends because I know they would probably do the same.. Its harsh out there.

now after your transistion are you satisfied and happier with your life?

I am still in the process of transitioning, but I can tell you I am currently happier than ever.

how long did the transition take?

I am still transitioning, been doing so for a year now

your age

I am 20 years young.

This is something we are born with, to me it is a birth defect.

I don't personally consider this a birth defect, either.. That would mean that this is abnormal, and sure its less common, but I consider myself perfectly normal...

Thanks to everyone, these are wonderful responses, I am wondering if there is aany one willing to provide an email so I may have a more in depth interveiw with you. mine is : neave88@aol.com, you can just email me or leave it on here, I would be very much appreciative for your support. and please keep the responses coming.

I would be more than happy to give you an in depth interview on the life of a Chelsea you can contact me at chelsea@susans.org or just send me a PM on here.

-Chelsea

[tinkerbell]

Hello there and welcome to Susan's!

Thank you so much for introducing yourself.  Please take a few moments to get familiar with all the boards of the site, review the site rules before posting, and take advantage of our many resources such as the wiki, chat, and the links listed at the main page.  We look forward to your future posts and participation.  Enjoy your stay

tink


P.S.  Perhaps starting a new thread (on a different board) asking the same questions you have asked here is a good idea.   Most people do not read the introductions board.

These days, the only "transsexual" aspect to my life is my participation on this forum. 

Cindi

What she said

[hippielove88]

hi all, my computer wont allow me to pm any of you. So just post your email or email me, keep the post coming ...thanks a bunch again!!!!!

[Sandy]

did you or didnt you always feel uncomfortable with your body than you were born with.?
I have always been uncomfortable with my body.  I would characterize my early childhood as feeling like I had my shoes on the wrong feet, but all over my body.  Something wasn't right, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

how did this transition affect you relationships with your family and friends?
For the most part my family and friends have accepted me and my transition.  It did signal the end of my marriage, but I am still friends with my ex-spouse.  Having the continued love and support of my family is the bedrock of my transition.

now after your transistion are you satisfied and happier with your life?
Absolutely!  I never believed that this much joy could be had by one person.  Every day is a treasure.

how long did the transition take?
You could say all my life, but from a practical standpoint "from first needle stick to first day of 24/7 female" seven months.  If you include all the surgeries then it's eighteen months.

your age
55

[Sarah Louise]

You will be able to PM others after you have made 15 posts.


Sarah L.

[hippielove88]

kassandra I like your responses very much i was wondering if you can email me and we can have a more in depth interveiw.
neave88@aol.com