Support where I really didnt expecy any

[Krissy_Australia]

Im so happy with the salon where I get my electrolysis. It seems like the girls have really decided to help me with my appearance. At first I thought it was just because I was a good paying customer but I dont think that anymore. They have recommended a whole heap of skin repair options (that have worked amazingly) and have talked to the local boutiques about my clothing. I visited one of the boutiqes today and the service I got was incredible. So much time was spent on the best options for outfits to suit my needs.

I just feel so incredibly lucky that these people are trying to make me the best I can. This kind of support goes such a long way.

And it led me to think. What supports do others get that help them with their transition

[CharleneT]

My experience has been very good too.  I was a little surprised by just how accepting they are as well as helpful.  Of course, there is the fact that when a TS comes in the door they have to have in the back of their mind "$$".  Fact of life, we are the big spenders in such places.   Mine is a very serious fundlementalist Christian, which at first you might think would make her against TS's.  Rather the opposite, she has decided that we are her ministry and she will try and help us at least be at peace with ourselves. 

In general, I continue to be surprised at some people and how accepting they have been.  Seems like you "gird the loins" for a bad reaction and then get flowers

Charlene

[Tammy Hope]

My hairdresser has been great and a girl at the MAC counter in Tupelo did a makeover without hesitation

Small sample size alert though.

[K8]

When I came out to my hairdresser she decided to mentor me.  She has been invaluable and has become a good friend.

The cute guy at the MAC counter did me over, all the while telling me about his other TG clients and giving me advice.

Going to see my laser gal is like a twofer or threefer (is there such a word?): she burns away my facial hair and I don't even notice she is working on me because we are chatting away so much.  She has lots of experience with TGs and gives me invaluable advice and support.  Seeing her always cheers me up, no matter how I feel when I get there.

My electrolysis gal (I have white hairs the laser won't touch) is very supportive and gives me good perspective with her experience with other TGs.  Her feeling is like Charlene's salon - that she is there to try to make my life better and to help me find peace with myself.

All these people and many more have made tranistioning an unbelievable experience for me.  There are so many good people out there.

*happy tears*
- Kate

[heatherrose]

I'm so glad that y'all had awesome experiences with great businesses but don't
assume because they are wonderful salespeople that they are necessarily supportive.
Retailers and shop keepers are aware of the fact that transgender individuals are
starved for support and tutoring. They know just how to turn those needs into
dollar signs for themselves. Have a blast but remember to keep your wits about
you and an eye on your budget. Especially when dealing with those places on line,
where "T-friendly" means "If you'll buy this cheap chinese crap at a thousand
percent mark up, we won't laugh at you." As always, buyer beware.

[tekla]

The people I've talked to and had work with me at MAC seemed to be people who liked what they were doing, they were into makeup, and that was pretty much it.

[K8]

I'm so glad that y'all had awesome experiences with great businesses but don't
assume because they are wonderful salespeople that they are necessarily supportive.
Retailers and shop keepers are aware of the fact that transgender individuals are
starved for support and tutoring. They know just how to turn those needs into
dollar signs for themselves. Have a blast but remember to keep your wits about
you and an eye on your budget. Especially when dealing with those places on line,
where "T-friendly" means "If you'll buy this cheap chinese crap at a thousand
percent mark up, we won't laugh at you." As always, buyer beware.

I agree.  When I was a closeted cross-dresser, I fell into the "T-friendly" pit a few times before I learned my lesson.

The relationship I have with my laser gal is much deeper and richer than if she just wanted my money.  The same with my friendship with my hairdresser, since we cruise the thrift stores and go out drinking together.

If you are skulking around, ashamed of your need to present or be other than your birth sex, there are people who will take advantage of you.  If you know who you are and that you have every right in the world to be what you are, if you are open and honest with people, if you refuse to take crap from people, you will find lots of people happy to help you.  There are some shmoes out there, but there are a lot of really nice people, too.

It's all about confidence and attitude.

(Now where have I heard that before?)

- Kate

[heatherrose]

...we cruise the thrift stores...

Officer Heather: Good afternoon, "Transgender Identification" and "Label

Registration", please.

           Ms. K8: Here you go, I believe that you will find everything in order.

Officer Heather: Ma'am, do you know why I stopped you today?

           Ms. K8: Well, I guess I was typing a little slow but I don't think I was

impeding the other posters.

Officer Heather: No Ma'am it concerns the content of your last post, in this

thread.

            Ms. K8: Oh my, what seems to be the problem, Officer...ur uh..

Officer Heather: It's Officer Heather, Ma'am.

           Ms. K8: Oh yes...Officer Heather.

Officer Heather: Ma'am, are you aware that it is a violation of article 6-39.w of

"The Standard Revised TG Code" to purchase any single article of clothing for

less than $63.00 ?

           Ms. K8: ...how did you know that...? I was only trying to save a few...

Officer Heather: Ma'am, if every Transgendered person thought like that...

           Ms. K8: Oh Officer Heather, I am sorry, I won't use good judgement in

my spending habits again.

Officer Heather: ....alright, I'm going to let you go with a warning this

time but don't let me catch you do anything like this again.

           Ms. K8: You won't, I've learned my lesson.

Officer Heather: Here is your "Transgender Identification" card, and

your "Label Registration" certificate. Oh, are you aware that your "Label

Registation" certificate, authorizing you to identify yourself as a Pre-op,

Straight, Transsexual, Woman, expires tomorrow.

           Ms. K8: My goodness, it does? Well, I guess I'll just have to go get

this taken care of as soon as possible. Can you direct me to the nearest

branch office of the "Dept. of Trans and Other Gendered Registry"?

Officer Heather: Yes of course. Go right down here, to.......

[Tammy Hope]

LOL!

I guess I'm an outlaw then because I have never in my life paid as much as $63 for an article of clothing with the exception of one sport coat over a decade ago.

I've never passed $20 on anything female.

[mmelny]

Im so happy with the salon where I get my electrolysis. It seems like the girls have really decided to help me with my appearance.
......
And it led me to think. What supports do others get that help them with their transition

Hi Krissy!

That's funny about the electrologist.  I met my electrologist (I don't do electrolysis any more, just too painful for crybaby me, ) from a friend of a friend, and she worked out of her basement (she migrated from a clinic she rented to save $$$).  The sessions of me coming over, and crying my eyes out must have bonded us, for we became and are best friends, and she ultimately spent 10 days in a hotel room with me for my ffs recovery, and will probably do it all over again in Thailand for my SRS.

Friends (and support) in funny places, eh? But I do find that too, from everyone from the hair stylist, to the other women at the office, etc, many people want to help.  It's been one of the most enlightening parts of transition. 

*huggs*,
Melan