Today the email was sent out to my office informing my colleagues that I'll be Megan from the start of May. At the same time I also sent out a message to all my friends and family on my old FB profile asking them to send a friend request to my new one.
Everyone has been incredibly accepting and supportive, I feel lucky and greatful to have so many wonderful friends and family.
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Woohoo! Get her some shades and sunscreen! ;D
Hugs, Devlyn
Haha tnx Devlyn. X
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Good job girl. I know how it feels. It is so nice to finally stop hiding.
That's awesome! I'm happy for you. Support is always awesome to receive. :)
Congratulations and my best wishes for a wonderful future as the woman you are proud to be.
:-*
Cindy
YAY!!! Good job, Megan. This is what you have been working so hard for and wanted for so long. And now you've gone and done it!! ((HUGS)) good going and happy days to you Megan, Many many happy days.
Hugs,
Jeanette
Congratulations, Megan!
Congratulations!!
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Quote from: meganjames2 on April 19, 2017, 04:55:38 PM
Today the email was sent out to my office informing my colleagues that I'll be Megan from the start of May. At the same time I also sent out a message to all my friends and family on my old FB profile asking them to send a friend request to my new one.
Everyone has been incredibly accepting and supportive, I feel lucky and greatful to have so many wonderful friends and family.
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Congratulations for new beginning of new life. Good luck from here on to the future life.[emoji4]
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Way to go girl! It's so freeing to finally be yourself and not hide. Now you don't have to modify your behavior to avoid issues, it's everyone else's place to,adjust. I'm proud of,you!
Way to go Megan! So happy for you. Congrats on being out and being your true self to the world. You may now move your graduation tassel to the other side.
Moni
That's wonderful! Now you can breathe again.
I never cease to be amazed at how much more oxygen there is outside of the closet.
Quote from: meganjames2 on April 19, 2017, 04:55:38 PM
Today the email was sent out to my office informing my colleagues that I'll be Megan from the start of May.
So now everyone knows about it, you'll be Megan starting on May, but you "are not yet". Doesn't it make for a weird atmosphere at work? I guess people may be asking why not change now? What are the pronouns in use these days? Any signs of future rejection? Have people already shown some signs of behaving in a different way towards you?
I'm working from home this week while email addresses and HR data details are updated. In remote meetings all colleagues have used my new name, no sign of any issues so far, I work with some great people. The email my SVP sent out at work made it very clear that intolerance would be not accepted. I've asked friends and colleagues to use she/her pronouns.
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Went to the US embassy in London today (I have both US and UK passports). Armed with all required documentation, they processed my application for a new passport with correct name and gender without any issue and were very polite. Another positive experience.
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Wow Megan it is all coming together for you. That's soo coool.
Hugs,
Jeanette
That's nice , I plan to do the same in 6months time after a bit of HRT . Getting away with pierced ears and nail polish at work and no dramas. Any way good for you go get um
Well even though I don't officially start full-time till next week, I have been living as and presenting female for almost a week already, including having just gone swimming in my new swimdress which was a little nerve wracking. I have to revert to male this weekend for my kids, which is going to be tough, but all part of the journey.
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I'm happy for you. The UK is a really nice place to be LGBT. Last night I stumped upon a twitter account of the client of my employer, where I'm working now, and I left them a message asking about LGBT policy. They replied positively linking to a web page where they explicitly state that no discrimination due to a bunch of reasons, among which there was "gender reassignment", is acceptable.
Please keep us updated when you go back to the workplace. The first day there must be totally thrilling!
Will do. People keep asking me if I'm nervous, but all my colleagues have been so brilliant so far that I'm really quite relaxed about it, I'm lucky to be in the UK and to work for such a supportive company.
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Quick update. It's been a very bittersweet start to my RLE. I sat down with my two young children (5 and 3), and told them what was going to happen, they knew nothing about my transition until then. The oldest was and still is very upset, and this is ripping my heart apart.
In terms of my RLE itself, that is going very well. Work has been great, pretty much life as normal, no big fanfares, which I think is how it should be, I just want to live my life.
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I'm glad to hear how things turned out, besides the Reaction of your older little one, but i guess he/she just needs some time to understand what is happening, after all, they're in an age where you think about stuff you hear a lot, so i, as some amature would say that i'm sure things will turn out good, sooner or later :)
Best Of Luck!
Quote from: meganjames2 on May 04, 2017, 03:37:47 PM
Quick update. It's been a very bittersweet start to my RLE. I sat down with my two young children (5 and 3), and told them what was going to happen, they knew nothing about my transition until then. The oldest was and still is very upset, and this is ripping my heart apart.
In terms of my RLE itself, that is going very well. Work has been great, pretty much life as normal, no big fanfares, which I think is how it should be, I just want to live my life.
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Hi Megan,
I like hearing that you are doing well at work post revelation and I am going to assume it goes well in other aspects of your life with the sad exception of your older child. It is reminiscent of what my daughter posted on Facebook after they were told what I was doing. It does hurt to see you have upset a loved one especially when it is a child. It affect them and their pain hurts you. I do believe it is probably more that you child does not really understand as yet and fears they will be losing you. At least the you they know. They don't understand that you will still be you and not gone from their lives at all. Give them the time to get used to their new parent and I'm sure they will both come to realize you are still there for them, just with a different look.
I wish I could do the same with my grand kids. I'm sure from my daughter's FB post that the youner two are going through much the same as yours. The older two are old enough to understand but I am not sure just what message they received from Mom and Dad. The impression I have from being there and coming out to them was not very good and the way my daughter worded the FB post makes me feel unwelcome now. I want to visit and explain but I no longer feel comfortable about going to visit any more. I'm sad and I imagine everyone else up there is too.
Anyway back to you Megan, I am sure with the love you and your wife give the kids you will be able to help them through this uncertain time. You can do this.
Btw Megan. You requested name of MeganB may be taken but I don't think Megan by itself is. Use that search member function and see what is available for you.
Hugs,
Laurie
Did you change your name with a deed pol , if so how long did it take.
As I had to do my US passport, I needed a notarised Statutory Decoration instead of deed poll. I just printed a standard template off the Web, and took it to a notary, got two copies for £105. Took about 20 mins. Changing name in the UK is absurdly easy, download a free deed poll, fill it in, sign it, done! Used copies for utilities, bank etc...
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Quote from: meganjames2 on May 06, 2017, 04:14:37 PM
As I had to do my US passport, I needed a notarised Statutory Decoration instead of deed poll. I just printed a standard template off the Web, and took it to a notary, got two copies for £105. Took about 20 mins. Changing name in the UK is absurdly easy, download a free deed poll, fill it in, sign it, done! Used copies for utilities, bank etc...
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It's much harder in the states and more expensive too.
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Gertrude, yes. Gender in the UK is a nightmare, but name is weirdly easy! I was worried I'd have to travel to California to change my passport, but the US embassy in London has a good process.
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Update: It's been a week now, and going well. Getting out and about before full-time certainly helped my confidence come the time. Competed in my first triathlon this morning as a female competitor. Under federation rules I couldn't have a finishing position as I've not yet started HRT and my hormone levels have to be in normal female range which is fair. Out in public I've been treated respectfully like any other person. I do get the odd glance, but I don't let it bother me.
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Hi Megan,
I have been wondering how you have been doing. I am glad to read that it is going pretty well. Keep it up.
Running races are you. I hope you shaved the legs well first. It wouldn't do to enter the women's race with hairy legs.
It wouldn't do at all. LOL
Hugs,
Laurie
Hey Laurie, I've already swum twice at my local pool in a navy swimdress, a slightly nerve-racking experience the first time; so yes, legs are smooth ☺️.
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Megan
LMAO just checking. Hairy legs look terrible more so in nylons or pantyhose.
Hugs,
Laurie
So... only my third time at the local swimming pool in my swimdress, still quite self-conscious, guess who's locker refused to open after their swim!
Luckily was able to smile at my own situation, staff were polite, locker opened, life continues...
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Hi Megan,
Shouldn't you be getting more comfortable by now? I'm glad you were able to grin and bear it.
Hugs,
Laurie
I was amused more than anything else, luckily laughing at myself is a skill I've got in spades. It's been around three weeks now, and I'm totally comfortable in most situations, but knowing I don't have an ounce of feminine curves, a swimsuit doesn't give me much to work with!
Hi Megan,
No I suppose not. When my friend and I go fishing in Missouri we walk the rivers and creeks. By that I mean we literally walk in the water, sometimes up past our waists. Since coming out to him and his wife he is threatening to buy me a bikini for when we go fishing next. I wouldn't put it past the nut. I do know I can no longer go topless. I guess I'll have to make sure my legs and tummy are shaved. LOL
Hugs,
Laurie
Haha, yes, hair and bikinis not often considered a good look. I think I missed the bikini train, this body has got too many miles on the clock to ever pull that off.
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Quote from: meganjames2 on May 17, 2017, 04:53:27 PM
Haha, yes, hair and bikinis not often considered a good look. I think I missed the bikini train, this body has got too many miles on the clock to ever pull that off.
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Oh I never said I could pull it off, I just said he's being ornery. He's like that, ya never know what shenanigans he is going to pull.