Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I had a transgirl as a client today. Her mom was with her. She was 16 and it was obvious she was trans which was to be expected because I found out she had just started hrt and transitioned a month ago. She was so nervous and obviously uncomfortable. She kept her eyes on the floor and her whole body seemed to be kind of...clenched is the word I guess. So her mom took me aside and told me her daughter was transgender and was that going to be a problem. I told her absolutely it would not. Then she asked if I was sure because her daughter didn't need to be hurt or embarrassed. I assured her that wasn't going to happen. The girls name was Brianna. I felt so bad for her because she had such a scared look in her eyes. I told her everything was fine and tried to get her to relax and she did a little bit. After we decided what to do with her hair she told me she had just transitioned and she was afraid she would never look like a real girl. I told her that hrt took awhile to cause noticible changes and the longer she was on it the softer her features would get. She asked how did I know that, did I know someone who was trans. I don't ever tell people I'm trans. It's just something I don't do. But in this case I figured it might help her to be more comfortable so I told her I knew how long hrt takes to cause changes because I was trans myself. It was amazing how she just brightened.  She started actually making eye contact and speaking to me instead of mumbling and staring at the floor.

She shared some of her experiences with me and I have to say I felt really bad for her. The kids at school had given her such a awful time that her mom had taken her out and started homeschooling her. Her mom and dad had been divorced for a while and when her dad found out she was trans he had told her not to ever call him, that he never wanted to see her again and that she was dead as far as he was concerned. She has a 18 year old brother who calls her a freak, ->-bleeped-<-ot and ->-bleeped-<-. And she said he's even slapped her around a couple of times. I wanted to cry. That was so AWFUL! I can't imagine a father being like that to his child. And it just is unthinkable that her own brother would be that cruel to her and unimaginable that he would hit her!  If my dad or brother ever did stuff like that to me I don't think heartbroken would even cover how I would feel. It's just so sad!

She had thick beautiful hair a little past shoulder length. It just needed cut a little. So I cut really long layers into it so it would frame her face and I cut long bangs into it. One of her passability issues was that she used a headband to pull her hair back off of her face and forehead. Then I put a few highlights in it. Fixing her hair made a huge difference. Then I waxed her eyebrows which had been a little on the thick side. That also made a big difference. A guy I work with, Adam, had been watching all that. Adam is a very talented make up artist as well doing hair. He came over and introduced himself to her and told her he had some time to kill before his next appointment and would she like for him to do her makeup. He did an amazing job on her makeup.  Another passability issue for her was that she had a very masculine jawline. He really minimized that with shading and contouring. She looked so good. She still wasn't entirely passable but instead of knowing immediately when you saw her like when she first walked in, you would have to stop and think about it a minute. She was so happy with how she looked. I told her to remember that she had only been on hrt a month and that she would look much more feminine after she had been on it a while. After she's been on hrt for a while and maybe does some voice training I have no doubt she will be very passable.

Her mom was happy with how she looked and took pictures of her. I told her about Susan's and that there was a section for younger members and the SO section if her mom wanted to join too. Except for that horrible meeting I attended the one time, she's the only trans person I've met in person. That kind of surprises me because it's not like Denver is a small city. Anyway, I'm glad I could help her a little.
Julia

Nice story

You are a good emissary Julia nice job.

I was in tears reading the stuff she's going through...Im glad she met you ...she sure needed a kind soul in her life...

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Julia, you have such a big heart!  I'm willing to bet that not only do you have a new customer, but potentially a new friend.  If she returns, cultivate that friendship.  I bet it'll be one that will make you both happy. ☺ 

You just might have saved a life with your kindness.  Be proud!

Ryuichi

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I bet she will never forget that encounter. You were undoubtably an angel in her life.

What a lovely thing to do, to share your own personal information just to make her day brighter!  You made my day brighter, too.  :)

Thank you for being such a caring person, Julia. You've just had a huge positive impact on another human being's life.


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Thank you Julia! This was so sweet of you and I am sure she will feel much better about herself. You made a huge difference in her life.

I applaude you. You turned a frightening experience into a good one. Probably a lot of us wish we had met someone like you when we started transition.

Now I hope I also get to be in your place and be able to help a trans person and make his/her day better

Thank You, from all of us. Lady Lisandra's right, I wish I had met someone  like you 40 yrs. ago! I wouldn't have waited so long.

Nice. We need more people like you in this world.


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I can just imagine the smile on her face after being with you.  I'm sure her mother was equally smiling.

Well done Julia. 
Paige :)

I really enjoyed reading that. I am 16 too and haven't even come out or done anything. I wish I had someone like you in my life. You're an amazing person.

Wow... this is so awesome! You let her know there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

Ya done good little sister!!!! :)

 ;D ;D ;D
Julia I don't think you know what you did for her.  It was not a haircut.  It was life affirming.  The hell she has been through is hard, so hard on the young.  And I bet you were her first TG she had met.  You were so gentle, kind and understanding that she must have been crying with pure joy at meeting you. 
And you telling her you too are TG was such a relief to her and her mom. It was so worth telling her your secret.  I would have for sure.   Now you are the big sister.  I am so sure you will do that job equally as good.
Makes me proud to be a Juli... 
Kisses sweetie
Julie
And if I need a haircut while in Denver, you got to treat me as good.

A beautiful story,  you're a kind soul. X

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Julia, you are my new hero! God bless you!

Tears in my eyes and a warm feeling in my heart. You just became every girls hero in some way or another. You are one of mine now.


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What a great way to pay it forward! I bet you changed her life. Good on ya!

Hi Julia,

  What a wonderful story. And what a wonderful thing you did for that girl. She will no doubt remember you for a long long time. Good job.

  It must be emissary week. I also recommended Susan's Place to some one today. In my case I overheard a woman talking about her daughter's appendectomy with her boy friend. I joined in and ultimately hijacked the conversation by commenting on my own experience with the procedure. I had already broken the ice with her by sharing the electrical outlet allowing her to charge her phone.
  What start out by talking about appendices flowed into cancer, diabetes, and into transgender where we spent most of our conversation. It turns out her other daughter is transgender too. I shared my experiences with her as she told me about her daughter's including a sad part where her daughter's progress was delayed and suppressed by a friend's recommendation of a therapist for her daughter. This so called therapist was trying to "Fix" this 11 or 12 year old girl instead of helping her.  At 11 this girl told her mom that she no longer wanted to wear boys clothes and wanted to wear dresses. Being a supportive mom, she sought help for her daughter and took her to this so called therapist. Due to patient confidentiality and her daughter not telling her what was going on she did not know the harm being done. She did notice her daughters desire for girly things waning and her becoming more withdrawn. The story finally came out and there were changes made.
  The conversation got around to internet research and support so naturally I asked if they knew about Susan's Place and recommended  it for both her and her daughter. I told them about Susan's and wrote down the address and gave them my name and I also gave them my facebook address encouraging her to have he daughter look for me here and on facebook.  So if you see a new member asking for me that is probably her or her daughter. Please make them feel welcome.
  Unfortunately I did not get their names. I was happy to talk with this woman and offer help a bit of support. I do hope they come to visit. This was my first transgender connection in the public at large. It happened in a hospital waiting room and completely random. The poor boyfriend was suddenly neglected for more important conversation.
  We are ambassadors to the world.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Julia,

You are a marvellous young lady and a treasure.

Cindy

Dang, now my mascara is running.

You are a beautiful person Julia!  The rare type who is beautiful both inside and out. 

I was in Denver a few months ago, I wish I had met you in person.

Julia, dear, you are an angel!

I'm going to join the chorus... this is a really heartwarming story :)


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I'll just join the chorus as well. What you did for that young girl will help her for the rest of her life. Awesome story.  ;D

I hope you've got a new regular customer and a friend. If I were in that girl's shoes, I'd want to come over and over again


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That was very nice Julia!

Julia I believe your quick thinking and kindness did much more than you realize.  When bullying at school is combined with rejection by a parent and physical abuse the result is all too often terrible.  At least she has one wonderful parent. 

You unlocked her future.

Kindness in an unkind world.  Feels like a big glass of cool water when you're dying of thirst.  She's SO lucky she walked in your door . . .

Such a lovely heart warming story and opportunity to help one of our own. Beauty technicians have been important to me on the road of acceptance and in building confidence.

Julia, you are so generous, way to go. You took a very feminine approach I might add.

You know that there are other members here from the area, I hope? Jane Emily is a kind and gentle person who I've met. Anne Blake and myself are an hour or so away. Maybe we should have a meetup some day.

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I wish I had a hairdresser like you Julia when I was that age.
I was simply forced to cut it off by my parents.
Till I got older wher i did weird styles and colours almost in rebellion.
But I could never grow it femininely long :/

Bravo,

Your story had me in tears. I think you changed this young girl for life greatly for the better and you might have made a customer for life if not a friend.