For me the crisis that promted my acceptance of my "femme" identity actually benefited me. I was playing Second life and my sl partner suggested that I might be bisexual. Of course, being TG, the idea of being with men as a man was very traumatizing to me as I had, like many, some experimentation in that regard as a teen as well as a history of sexual abuse and in general I am not attracted to men in my "male" personality. But then I put my training and education into it and realized what I should have known for years now which is that I have a feminine personality (as well as a masculine one, but thats off topic). For me, at this point in my life I have no desire to have surgery, (though I wished and prayed as a child to be transformed into a girl and was intrigued by the whole sex change topic), and I'm married with a wonderful wife and 3 wonderful children who I have no desire to put upon with my "issues". For me
my "escape" is living and passing as a female in Second Life. There are a few TG persons who know me for the Transwoman that I am, however for me the virtual transformation and "second life" as the person I am inside keeps me safe and sane and well balanced for the most part. There are places there where I can meet with other TG persons, like this forum, only "face to face" and that helps too.
PS Nicotine, moderate alcohol use, and ABBA's Greatest Hits help as well. The song Chiquitita should be a TG anthem, as it was almost the story of my SL Partner's very sweet and sensitive encouragement to accept myself who who I am, and the song took on a special meaning to me. Of course when she realized that I was using a femme avatar and the "femme" side of me was truly feminine in thought and emotion, she freaked and dumped me. Consequently working in game as a dancer/escort isn't a bad way to deal with some of the pain, though I am often left feeling lonely and isolated.
