Hi,
I'd like to briefly introduce myself. I'm a mature T-girl (55 years of age), originally from the UK but currently living and working in SE Asia. Thank you for having me at Susan's place. At present, I have not yet "come out" regarding being transgendered to everyone (e.g. at work), though I am spending an increasing amount of time presenting myself in public as a woman. The reason for not fully coming out is part cowardice and part necessity, especially with regard to my employment.
I can't say that I felt "like a woman trapped in a man's body" as a child. Nor was I ever effeminate as a child or a young man, and didn't start crossdressing until my late teens, and even then it was only partial. However, and if this doesn't sound like a complete contradiction, I never really felt like a man either. Interestingly, for as far as I can remember, it was some genetic women who instinctively sensed that I had a deeply feminine nature and told me that I seemed very ladylike in my attitude and behaviour. The active desire to embrace the feminine, and to physically feminize myself, is something that has increased in intensity over the past two or three decades.
I reached a milestone this weekend when I commenced medically-supervised HRT treatment. I also reached a trivial milestone this weekend when I managed to pass a whole day presenting myself as a woman without anyone calling me "Sir". Of course, my joy was soon undone the following day when someone addressed me as "Sir" within ten minutes of being outside and clearly presenting myself as a woman. I guess some people just can't resist communicating to others just how smart they are and that no one is going to fool them.
Working to my advantage in my quest to feminize myself is that I have, by nature, a very slight feminine build: I have narrow shoulders, small hands, small feet, and no "manly" muscles. I am 172 cm (5 feet 8 inches) and weigh 68 kg (10 stones 9 pounds). But one price to pay for those slight advantages is that I have real issues with extreme body hair. If I didn't constantly do battle with my body (and facial) hair, I would be as hairy as a bear. I also have issues with my face, which I think is too big for a woman's. I am also bald (but shave off all remaining hair so at least I look like a mannequin !), and need to rely on wigs. I hope my HRT will at least help reduce the body hair, though I know it won't stop it completely. My age is also something that works against me, but as the oft-repeated cliche goes ...
Anyway, I feel excited and nervous about the future, but see it as a challenge that I will try my best to enjoy. I know some people who know me (especially males) are going to be shocked beyond belief when I finally do reveal the truth about myself. But I will cross (no pun intended, or maybe there's no pun at all) that bridge when I reach it.
Once again, thanks for having me here. I hope I can make some useful contribution. I also hope that I have not said anything that offends or irritates anyone in my introduction.
Debbie.
P.S. I'd like to use a picture of myself as an avatar, but I just can't figure out how to do it. When I try to edit my profile, I can't see any options to do this. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hey Debbie
Welcome to Susan's :) Great to have you here - looking forward to seeing you around the forum.
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself.
Please check out the following links for site rules, helpful tips and other info...
- Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)
- Standard Terms and Definitions (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)
- Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)
- Reputation rules (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)
- News posting & quoting guidelines (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html)
- Photo, avatars, and signature images policy (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866)
Cheers
Grace
Hi Debbie and welcome to Susan's place. Congratulations on starting HRT. I'm still very much in the closet (except for my wife, therapist and this forum) and trying to find a way to accept myself.
Once you make 15 posts you will be able to edit your profile and change your avatar and send PM's.
Jayne
Hi Debbie :icon_wave:
Welcome to Susan's :) Glad to have you here, join on in the fun
Hugs
V M
Quote from: V M on April 11, 2016, 01:14:25 AM
Hi Debbie :icon_wave:
Welcome to Susan's :) Glad to have you here, join on in the fun
Hugs
V M
Hi Jayne,
Thanks for the welcome, and thanks also for the info on changing my avatar.
Quote from: Ms Grace on April 11, 2016, 12:11:32 AM
Hey Debbie
Welcome to Susan's :) Great to have you here - looking forward to seeing you around the forum.
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself.
Please check out the following links for site rules, helpful tips and other info...
- Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)
- Standard Terms and Definitions (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)
- Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)
- Reputation rules (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)
- News posting & quoting guidelines (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html)
- Photo, avatars, and signature images policy (http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866)
Cheers
Grace
Hi Grace,
Thanks for the welcome, and thanks for all the information on using this site.
Quote from: Debbie on April 11, 2016, 08:59:34 PM
Hi Jayne,
Thanks for the welcome, and thanks also for the info on changing my avatar.
Hi VM,
Thank you so much for the welcome. Love your avatar.
I hope no one thinks I'm making all these "thank you" posts just to boost my post count. ;D
Welcome, Debbie,
It's good to have you here.
You've probably already realized that this is a great site. Enjoy!
-- Sue
Quote from: DogSpirit on April 13, 2016, 06:13:50 PM
Welcome, Debbie,
It's good to have you here.
You've probably already realized that this is a great site. Enjoy!
-- Sue
Thank you, Sue. You are very kind.
I have indeed realized that it's a great site, and hope I can make a good contribution.
Thank you for your post. Thanks for sharing your life, I bet it takes so much courage to come out as you have. I'd be scared to death to do that.
Josefa
Quote from: Josefa on April 14, 2016, 06:34:03 PM
Thank you for your post. Thanks for sharing your life, I bet it takes so much courage to come out as you have. I'd be scared to death to do that.
Josefa
Hi Josefa,
Thanks for your welcome, and for your comments.
I am still scared to death! But I'm not so scared to go out dressed as a woman any longer. I haven't completely come out, and most people who know me have no idea. People who live near me certainly know, but the people I work with, together with some friends and family, have not the slightest idea. They would be shocked if they knew, but I don't feel up to dealing with their reactions at this time.
All the best,
Debbie