A nice question to be asked

[Padma]

So I spent a fab day at Exeter Pride (in Devon, England), dolled up in my orange boho shirt, dungarees, red trainers (sports shoes) and reddish hair, and clean shaven for a change. And early on after the march, I met a couple of besequined ladies and started chatting with them. They were part of the Beaumont Society posse, and I asked them about trans resources and meetings in the area. I told them I was just beginning my transition, and one of them said to me: FTM or MTF?

That made my day!

Then I had a great time hanging out with some of the Western Boys (FTM crew from the south west of England) - it really makes a difference getting to talk with other people who know what this is like, I felt incredibly at home and relaxed and welcomed. Grateful.

[EmilyElizabeth]

Sounds wonderful, yoxi! 

And yes, it makes a big difference having people going through this with you!  I have two trans friends that go to school with me and it makes for a rather supportive environment, because the more trans awareness, the more likely you'll feel accepted.  My friends are both transmen (wish there were some other out girls here :/) but I still love them very much!  One started T within the same week that I started my hormones, so we kind of have a similar (albeit opposite) trajectory.

[V M]

Right on Yoxi  Sounds like you made a great day of it

[Gabby]

Sounds like a lovely day indeed   It's so beautiful down the South-west, the weather has been glorious here in Norfolk bet it was fantastic down there too?  Just like summer

[justmeinoz]

Sounds like a great day all round. 

Summer in the UK, that means the rain is warm, right?? 

Karen.

[Gabby]

Haha nice one   When we have weather like this people used to say excitedily "it's going to be a good summer" now they say "This is our summer" haha.

[Andy]

I'm so glad you had fun!!

[Padma]

I'm starting to realise people who don't know me think I might be a transman when I tell them I'm transitioning not because of my androgyny, but because I present as a man still. Oh well...

Hey Sophie, Norfolk?!? I'm still living in Norwich until I move at the end of the month. Do you go to the trans group that meets in Norwich? I'm going along tomorrow (I only just found out about it, it only happens once a month ).

[Melody Maia]

That happened to me quite a lot too when I was still presenting male. Feels great and gave me hope that I could be a passable woman.

[Gabby]

Hey Sophie, Norfolk?!? I'm still living in Norwich until I move at the end of the month. Do you go to the trans group that meets in Norwich? I'm going along tomorrow (I only just found out about it, it only happens once a month ).

Haha no way you're in Norwich?!, I didn't know there was a meeting during in week, the one I found out about is on saturdays once a month, so you must have found another one

[Padma]

I've PM'd you about the meeting, but in case anyone local is looking on here in the future, here's a link about the Norfolk trans-group:

http://www.gires.org.uk/tranzwiki/index.php/Norfolk_Trans_Forum

[Gabby]

I haven't been to any meetings yet but this one meets once a month on a Saturday http://www.transgender-advice.com/venues.html

[Padma]

Thanks, the Oasis group pointed me to the trans-group when I contacted them, as they thought it would be more suitable for me.

[Gabby]

I know what you mean, the woman was alittle taken aback when I said I was at the start of physical transition and wanted to come in male mode.  But for most people there's a level that needs to be attained to be comfortable with ones physical self, is that what you mean Padma?, I'll be there when my beard shadow is significantly reduced and I don't weigh 200lbs of muscle (I'm not too short though tbh).  I did say I'd come in male dress, it's not like I hate it but I feel restricted even though I'm still as sociable as hell lol   Everything in me wants to go as myself, I've been denied a massive slice of myself for so long, it might actually be too much psychologically I'm feeling light headed thinking about if I had gone in male dress.

Got to attain that level of happiness with self-image, like Alexia has achieved in that other thread

[Padma]

I know what you mean, the woman was alittle taken aback when I said I was at the start of physical transition and wanted to come in male mode.

Same here - but the Norfolk Trans-Group have made it totally clear that they're fine with this, which is why I'm going tonight. Though I'm weighing up whether I'm going in my dungarees or not . Because all things being equal, that's what I'd like to be wearing. It's interesting - on the one hand, I feel a little less safe on my own of an evening in Norwich than I do with a crowd of variously queer people in Exeter! - but on the other, there's a bit of me feeling like I'll be more accepted if I turn up more "androgynous". So I have half an hour to decide what I want to be, and to hell with the imagined (dis)approval of others .

[Gabby]

You wear those dungarees

For me I like male clothes, but I love female ones, and sometimes it's hard not being able to interact with someone because of the way I look, still I get on really really well with CIS women   but I'm unable to get on with men nowhere near to the level I'd like, I try to connect on an emotional equal level and it's met with THE WALL haha.