Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Ok people here is a RARE moment, a VERY rare moment, because I am VERY sensitive about putting my image online anywhere.

But I want to honour those that have shared so much so far, with at least this much.

Took this today, cropped out all the noise of the hobby room from the image. I'm wearing one of my current needs to be replaced male polo tshirts which is being replaced with better ones made for a woman, but its at least a nice shirt all the same. Wearing one of my more substantial necklaces.

And assuming Cindy sees my Facebook comment, I won't need to fret over sending her something through here :) (promised Cindy she would get to see the benefits of her generous offer of sending me a wig a good while back).

The wig is basically modified from its original form to fit my own particular requirements. My hair stylist greatly aided me in enjoying the experience. I just went with her opinion (as if I know a lot about hair styles :) ).
This by the way is me mentioning now, Chris's Hair World in Lindsay Ontario, a place where the ladies go, and you can assume transwomen will have no issues as well. The staff are friends of mine, long time contact with Chris. She has earned my respect today.

My natural hair was given a significant update, I had been wearing it rather long and more or less unkempt, and futile too really what with having nothing on the top. Now my natural hair is cut more or less in a cliche male fashion (which is what my hair has always looked like the moment it needs a trim). I have no real desperate need of keeping all of it, the wig has superseded it.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-k7KQMiUCVqY%2FUlmuWJrRABI%2FAAAAAAAABTA%2FVv0ROHnO6_0%2Fs1600%2FDSC02484.JPG&hash=958426030d548f8530ee992779bdd5f6ab689396)

 :eusa_dance: Love your hair style, wish mine was that straight.
Looking good now and things will be better forward. Just keep positive and make the changes needed with style as you progress.

Hugs
Izzy

Thanks for sharing a glimpse of the real you Lesley.  Wouldn't guess that's a wig.

Just add a smile next time and enjoy yourself

I thought I was smiling :) Next time I will try to think of chocolate while taking the picture.

It's good to finally see you Leslie! I like the wig too  :)

Good on ya for standing here with us, Lesley! The hell with smiling, practice that come-hither look! Hugs, Devlyn

hugs - well done for being brave I understand it must of taken alot for you to do that ,
your hair looks natural :)

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

*hugs*

Life is good.

I have all of my friends here for support, but additionally, I have the support of some of my local friends that have also said some kind things to me.

I have been told I look a lot younger by a person who was standing in front of me. That was a very nice thing to say and I thanked him a bit later in a message in a game we were playing, 'by the way, the game is a gift'. I had sprung for a download purchase of a game we are both having fun playing. He had planned to pay me back. I think he gave me something worth a lot more than a measly 30 bucks.

I have been told I look good, I have been over all well received.

Life is good.

I owe so much to so many of you though, you have taken the plunge, done your best and not taken counsel of your fears. Your example is why I have made it this far.

I will likely be doing a nice avatar image when I get the chance. I don't want to replace my Usagi picture, but I am happy with this me. I think I can only get better.

You look great! And the hair frames your face very nicely.

What a first day I had.

I left the wig on till I went to bed :)

I have a family turkey dinner to go to today and you bet, I am going as me, not some other person.

I am thankful of my family and my friends, and this thanksgiving, I am not thanking a concept that has never done anything, and no I am not thanking my government either :) I might enjoy a slightly better life as a Canadian, but it sure isn't because Harper cares about me :)

I will likely be seeking out one of those wigs that has a band that holds the wig in place. But my first one will certainly always be a special moment for me. Pondering wearing a top I have bought that till now I have been unsure was too fancy, or might just conflict with my hair (or lack there of). It's a nice top a slimming type design, and it is NOT a man's article of clothing. Might as well give the family a real whammy :)

As always, I don't know how it will go. As always, I go in knowing I don't care if they are not positive. I WANT them to be positive, but, I am not going to let if stop me of course. If the look comes out nice, I might volunteer it as my avatar image. Can't picture anything looking better at least. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Enjoyed not needing to take as long washing my hair today :)  The hair under the hair is now a lot less the problem of needing it.
I suppose I will take a bit longer getting ready to go out. Then again, I already take a while getting ready to go out hehe.

Dang I feel good. I was really expecting this to be a lot harder. I need to learn the fine art of make up I suppose now.
That, and I guess I need to put getting a more lady like cane higher on my list of todos. My current one, well for one thing it is a hickory sledge hammer handle (not at all petite hehe) and it is topped with a simulated hand saw handle (very masculine). Likely need something less heavy gauge looking and with a handle more like what a woman would find 'neat'. My old fashioned self is toying with either a steam iron shape, or a blender shape. Ok I know, those are horribly sexist stereotypes :) But I do actually like them hehe. And besides, they still need to be a form of handle.

Congratulations and good luck today Lesley! I hope your family is positive too but you've got the right attitude; be yourself and everyone else can be damned if they don't like it. :)

*HUGS*

Amy

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on October 12, 2013, 07:00:40 PM
Good on ya for standing here with us, Lesley! The hell with smiling, practice that come-hither look! Hugs, Devlyn

Devlyn Marie you are such an enabler!!!!  LOL and right on Hon!  As your airmen say, "prepare for launch, flaps up!"

Quote from: Lesley_Roberta on October 13, 2013, 08:30:43 AM
What a first day I had.

I left the wig on till I went to bed :)

I have a family turkey dinner to go to today and you bet, I am going as me, not some other person.

I am thankful of my family and my friends, and this thanksgiving, I am not thanking a concept that has never done anything, and no I am not thanking my government either :) I might enjoy a slightly better life as a Canadian, but it sure isn't because Harper cares about me :)

I will likely be seeking out one of those wigs that has a band that holds the wig in place. But my first one will certainly always be a special moment for me. Pondering wearing a top I have bought that till now I have been unsure was too fancy, or might just conflict with my hair (or lack there of). It's a nice top a slimming type design, and it is NOT a man's article of clothing. Might as well give the family a real whammy :)

As always, I don't know how it will go. As always, I go in knowing I don't care if they are not positive. I WANT them to be positive, but, I am not going to let if stop me of course. If the look comes out nice, I might volunteer it as my avatar image. Can't picture anything looking better at least. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Enjoyed not needing to take as long washing my hair today :)  The hair under the hair is now a lot less the problem of needing it.
I suppose I will take a bit longer getting ready to go out. Then again, I already take a while getting ready to go out hehe.

Dang I feel good. I was really expecting this to be a lot harder. I need to learn the fine art of make up I suppose now.
That, and I guess I need to put getting a more lady like cane higher on my list of todos. My current one, well for one thing it is a hickory sledge hammer handle (not at all petite hehe) and it is topped with a simulated hand saw handle (very masculine). Likely need something less heavy gauge looking and with a handle more like what a woman would find 'neat'. My old fashioned self is toying with either a steam iron shape, or a blender shape. Ok I know, those are horribly sexist stereotypes :) But I do actually like them hehe. And besides, they still need to be a form of handle.

Theres people on youtube that do ''how to do your makeup '' videos if thats any help  :)
how do you find womens shoes to fit your feet ? My feet are small when I buy guys shoes I wear more socks :) I wonder if you can buy something , I hope they grow ! lol

Good on you , you must feel better in womens clothing , its amazing what a difference it makes , I wear guys clothes but I can remember the first time , buying and journeying to this point it was a great feeling , something so simple really made a huge difference to me 

QuoteGood on you , you must feel better in womens clothing , its amazing what a difference it makes

I remember the day I got my first women's uniform shirts at work...went in to check the fit, and did NOT want to put my old "guy" shirt back on...even though it was still clean! Something psychological in me said NO WAY!

Good luck with the dinner tonight, Lesley_Roberta!

Quote from: Beth Andrea on October 13, 2013, 12:27:46 PM
I remember the day I got my first women's uniform shirts at work...went in to check the fit, and did NOT want to put my old "guy" shirt back on...even though it was still clean! Something psychological in me said NO WAY!

Good luck with the dinner tonight, Lesley_Roberta!

its amazing how huge it is , its just like a magic step forward :)

The dinner is NOT happening. I am sad of course, but I am also not worried.

Ok possibly the sister in law has over estimated the level of problem with her husband. I believe in innocent till proven guilty.

But I am NOT hopeful.

Hey it was just a purse and jewellery, but she was apprehensive the last event. I still went and nothing happened.

Today it is just a wig in addition.

But it is my plan to use HRT, it might result in breast development (I can hope eh). I am planning to wear women's clothing as much as any other woman would. The day will come when I turf THAT thing as well. I need to know NOW, is this brother in law going to be a problem or is this really a non problem?

I'm suuuuuuure as hell not going to sit and be told they don't want me messing up their grand daughters 5 and 2. I won't tolerate being told I am a 'harmful influence'.

But the wife has only just left, and I will know by tonight.
I am not encouraged, but, until it happens, it hasn't.

Made it plain though, if I wasn't accepted today, then there won't be any future gatherings.

I told the wife I will NOT be giving her grief about going. I will not hold it against her. I am not the sort of person that makes a person make those choices.
My mother though, hmm my mother was not very kind of comment this afternoon when I was visiting. They have reeeeeeally rubbed her the wrong way if this runs the way it probably will. My mom's a Christian that won't tolerate lame excuse Christian behaviour :)

Remember, Lesley, you're not asking the world for acceptance, you expect it. They will follow your lead. Hugs, Devlyn

Well the day sure has been one of contrast.

Things I did not expect today.

Turkey dinner to face plant.

Didn't expect to walk in the door and immediately need to mop the floors.

Sure didn't think I would be eating a quickie lunch from the grocery store today.

I didn't really know what response the wig would get me, but, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Just not 100% positive. Didn't expect things to go the way they did. I expected I would go to Chris's and she would say 'sorry Les I really don't have the skill set to help with the wig, but I can give you a nice trim to your natural hair'.

She was wonderful.

I know some won't want to come on the journey that is my life. And some will likely have the lamest of reasons too.

Just means all the more room for my friends :)

QuoteMade it plain though, if I wasn't accepted today, then there won't be any future gatherings

Try to forgive...sometimes people can be adamant about accepting, but then one day they realize what kind of ass they've been, and after apologies, they would like to be part of your life. One shouldn't burn bridges unless they've done horrible things, like abuse and violence.

I like the hair too.

I agree, you are a strong woman.

Hi Lesley,

My apologies for the late entrance.

You look a lot better than I expected. The wig is good, the fitting and cut suits you, congratulations to you and to Chris.

Yes a nice blouse etc would help but get another woman to help you with styling if you can. It takes practice to select clothes that suit you, and not clothes you want!! I remember my hairdresser telling me that girls withdraw to their bedroom at 13 and come out at 17 with all the skills to present. They told me they would try to help me to catch up the time I had lost! It has been a tough task for them :laugh: :laugh:

I'm sorry dinner and stuff fell through but try not to read stuff in to it. Life happens to everyone.

You have made enormous strides and you should be very proud of yourself, and of your family and friends.

At our age we have to over come the 'Oh Goddess' factor of why we didn't do this years ago before our bodies changed. But they have and we have to accept that with the understanding that maturity can give us. You have all the potential to be a normal attractive woman.

You are blessed, as I am for knowing you.

You are very cute.

Hugs my Canadian Sister

Cindy

i didn't realize it was a wig until i read your post. you look really good, and i can understand why you call the shirt good despite it not being female clothing, the color suits you.

sorry about the dinner. don't take it too hard, i've managed to ruin family dinners all on my own, but that still wasn't the end of the world. things have actually only gotten better for me since then.

Thanks Cindy and everyone.

Cute? Ok I have been told I was cute before in male mode, I think people are nuts :) Oh well I suppose I am just conditioned to be incapable of regarding myself like that :)

My sister, didn't like the hair. My sister though and me are close, so she's likely just not liking the look. She probably thinks I need something else. Might be she just wants her 'brother' back too I guess. She's my kid sister though, and has made a habit of looking out for me for years since I was disabled and effectively made a financial wreck. Many a day she'd force a 20 on me and tell me I need money in my pocket to feel better. So my sister gets a lot more leeway than many likely ever will.

My older brother has not seen the look. Heck he likely won't see me till next May at my niece's wedding. I'm hoping nothing mars my going of course. I might just plain not have the cash. Mom fully expects to be going though (and her health is a higher wall to cross than my finances ever will be). I am assuming if she is going it is by way of a car ride. If she goes I go. My brother is concerned I don't do anything too outrageous to attract harmful responses. He has not been told I have elected to go the whole route seeing as OHIP will permit it.

With some luck, I will have the wig down pat and make up learned by then. I would absolutely love to go in a proper dress. Doubt I can afford a proper dress, but I likely should go in a nicer pant suit and not be too radical. Most of the family have only seen me carrying a purse and wearing a necklace at mom's 80th birthday party.

I have seen quite a few miracles around here with girls realizing their potential. Nothing improves a face like a real smile either.
I like to think I can at least look a bit better once I learn make up. I suppose it is going to be a high wall for me though. I'm not worried about what others will say with me wearing lipstick, I'm concerned about my own negative opinion. Starting to see who my son got his perfectionist anger from hehe.

Today is just a meal at mom's with wife and son. I am hoping though it goes ok.

Mom was NOT happy with how her child was treated yesterday. I explained it to the wife thusly, how would you react, if the family told YOUR son he was not welcome because of his appearance? I was a bit annoyed her response was not instantaneous too. I told her the correct response was instant motherly anger. So I warned her, my mom might not be too pleasant discussing the subject and her feelings towards wife's side of the family. I quote "narrow minded bigots and not real Christians".

I hope the only task today, is to keep mom calm :)
She was almost wanting to not invite the wife. I told her no, I told her expressly I was not going to make her pick and choose family over this matter. I don't hold fault with people that didn't make the choice.

Bit annoyed though, that she elected to avoid discussing the ramifications of my not being there today with her sister. She claimed the little ones were present. I told her I didn't give a damn, the little ones need to see what a little genuine fury looks like. As it now stands, the brother in law doesn't exist, nor the sisters in law and other brother in law nor their sons and daughters and their sons and daughters. There won't be any Auntie Lesley or Great Auntie Lesley coming to anything further till this is resolved with a FIRM understanding that I am not anyone's brother in law or uncle for a reason.

Either way, yesterday I needed lunch as I suddenly had nothing prepared. So I went and visited the local grocery I always go to. Was glad it was open (Canadian holiday weekend here eh). And I had no trouble going as I looked. I suspect a chuckle from the cashier next to the lane I was at might have been for me. But the woman and I have a history of banter. She's a rough, seemingly rude woman of older years that knows I don't mind the silly smack talk. Others have been 'you let her say that to you?'. Just about the entire staff though have known me for years as a regular. They all know my son as they have watched him grow from a bundle to a tree. I go in and out of the store all the time.

Looking forward to tomorrow though :) first day I can walk the town with the new look and show it to my friends in person. Nothing is open currently.

My only concern, is the wig has not easy means of attachment. I'm suspecting I exceed the size tolerance level almost. Not totally sure, I know there are two small ribbons on the sides, and I almost wonder, were they meant to go under the ear? (sounds idiotic though). Or just a means to hold it while adjusting it. Thinking of attaching an elastic ribbon attached from front left temple and front right temple and tied behind back of the neck as a sort of hat strap which would be hidden under the hair.

Failing that, also pondered something not unlike this.
It seems to be a ribbon tied at the back to look at it, while in cosplay the girls are all just wearing a conventional hair comb with ribbons attached. I'd be aiming for the ribbon tied actually. Not sure how it would look on me though :) Been a long dream of mine to cosplay Haruhi Suzumiya.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-84xv91xluI4%2FUlv7g3ivtyI%2FAAAAAAAABTQ%2Fzl_O1tH4DVM%2Fs1600%2Fharuhi.jpg&hash=d5d80a1409fb2d9554b4e05d3ac49f54448b4872)

Since plenty has already been said about the subject of the photo, I will say I like the pictures in the background. ;)

That would be about hmmm 1 ten thousandth of my collection from my father actually :) My father took incredible amounts of photos with an archaic German camera (had bellows in it). No training and often in positions of extreme skill required.

My brother is a journalist and did NOT inherit any of Dad's camera savvy either hehe.

Only recently cleaned up the hobby room (where the picture was taken).

Wow, that's quite interesting!  I was primarily interested in the subject matter of the photos.  From personal experience it takes a brave man to show any serious interest in railroads because it's 'the wrong kind of geeky'.  Now as a woman I'm even more at war on the inside about showing it, even more so than telling people I'm trans, oddly enough.  I did however recently see a posting on AutoStraddle.com where a number of queer girls were raving about their delight in traveling by train and my heart was thoroughly melting for them!

norwegian tv made a ten hours long film of my favorite railroad for last christmas.
http://nrkbeta.no/2013/01/15/nordlandsbanen-minute-by-minute-season-by-season/ (http://nrkbeta.no/2013/01/15/nordlandsbanen-minute-by-minute-season-by-season/)

Trains, the models for people that think cars too 'boyish' and trucks are right obviously boyish, and war machines, well not everyone likes war machines I suppose.

Trains are just trains eh, they made the nation (Canada or the US). My town grew thanks to trains.

And you can play with them too (my other models just sit there).

Models appeal to me, it is a creation thing, I prefer to be making things, and making things is a feminine thing eh, mothers make things, kids for instance :)

Boys always seem to be about breaking things, bones, cars etc etc :)

Quote from: Lesley_Roberta on October 12, 2013, 03:18:13 PM
Ok people here is a RARE moment, a VERY rare moment, because I am VERY sensitive about putting my image online anywhere.

But I want to honour those that have shared so much so far, with at least this much.

Took this today, cropped out all the noise of the hobby room from the image. I'm wearing one of my current needs to be replaced male polo tshirts which is being replaced with better ones made for a woman, but its at least a nice shirt all the same. Wearing one of my more substantial necklaces.

And assuming Cindy sees my Facebook comment, I won't need to fret over sending her something through here :) (promised Cindy she would get to see the benefits of her generous offer of sending me a wig a good while back).

The wig is basically modified from its original form to fit my own particular requirements. My hair stylist greatly aided me in enjoying the experience. I just went with her opinion (as if I know a lot about hair styles :) ).
This by the way is me mentioning now, Chris's Hair World in Lindsay Ontario, a place where the ladies go, and you can assume transwomen will have no issues as well. The staff are friends of mine, long time contact with Chris. She has earned my respect today.

My natural hair was given a significant update, I had been wearing it rather long and more or less unkempt, and futile too really what with having nothing on the top. Now my natural hair is cut more or less in a cliche male fashion (which is what my hair has always looked like the moment it needs a trim). I have no real desperate need of keeping all of it, the wig has superseded it.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-k7KQMiUCVqY%2FUlmuWJrRABI%2FAAAAAAAABTA%2FVv0ROHnO6_0%2Fs1600%2FDSC02484.JPG&hash=958426030d548f8530ee992779bdd5f6ab689396)

If the wig is from Australia, shouldn't the hair point the other direction?

Quote from: Lesley_Roberta on October 14, 2013, 11:00:40 AM
Models appeal to me, it is a creation thing, I prefer to be making things, and making things is a feminine thing eh, mothers make things, kids for instance :)

Boys always seem to be about breaking things, bones, cars etc etc :)

mnya... i've also known men who are awesome at creating all kinds of things and art, and some could even help make cute babies. and women who seemed rather intent on breaking their families and other things. like cars, i don't see anything masculine about breaking them.
but it's a good excuse for doing what you want. my daughter doesn't think it's weird for a girl to make models of cool vehicles.

So the post dinner report is in........

Dinner was good, wife and a friend and mom and myself all enjoyed a nice meal.

I spent afternoon hanging out with mom, was not interested in getting into anything prior to dinner time so went ahead early.

Only downside, my new top, just doesn't seem to really perform in the absence of breasts. Which sucks of course. But I was given positive replies to my new look from the shoulders up :)

I can run with that :)