Transitioin Where do I start and where is the best place to live? ???
No family or friends would understand so I have move, in the USA or out of the country.
I might as well be in or close to good areas that have a trans gender understanding.
please help, I don't know where to start.
Thanks.
In some cities in the UK, there are businesses which specialise in assisting men who want to dress in alternate gear.
Don't know how much it costs but understand they are very helpfull. I confess, I've thought about it.
Perhaps you could look around, possibly on the net, to see what's available.
Have you given your family and friends a chance? Don't write them off before they even have the chance to do the same to you!!! Even if they don't accept you at first there's a good chance a lot of them will come around in the end. Depending on how good of a friend etc you've been to them.
I good place to start is seeing a psychologist, counsellor or therapist in your area.
You shouldn't let anyone make you move away from where you live unless you really want to regardless.
Also if you are sure you know what you need to do then start with growing your hair, shaving, laser/electrolysis, voice training and looking/dressi8ng more androgynous.
If you look more the part than you'll find people will understand you better than looking like a guy and saying..."hey I have GID my gender is really female and will be doing 'this' or 'that'". That will just get you confused looks and "no you're not take a look in the mirror" type of comments more often than not.
If you look and act like who you say you are before you tell people then people will more likely say "well you know that makes sense, I was actually going to mention something.. good on you!".
The best place to live is where YOU call home and where YOU feel comfortable, don't let others decide that for you.
Good luck ..oh and welcome to susans! :D
Typically you would start by finding a therapist who is versed in gender issues. Most doctors will require a letter from a therapist before they will allow you to start hormone treatment, or other medical transition. Most therapists will want to see you for at least 3 months before they will write that letter.
As for good places to live, I would say almost any major metropolitan area north of the Mason/Dixon line is good. San Fransisco is an obvious choice, but awfully expensive. I've found that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area has a very active trans community, and an open-minded population. (Minneapolis was the first city in the U.S. to protect gender-variant people from discrimination.) I believe much of Europe is pretty tolerant as well.
But then, unless you feel you would be in imminent danger from your family if they found out, there is no need to go dashing off to the other side of the country/world right away. The transition process is very slow, and it will be a while before anyone will be likely to notice anything. And you may find that as you gain confidence, you may not need to take as drastic measures as you might expect. Granted, I'm going the other way, which is in most respects easier, but I've been surprised at how much of a non-issue my transition has been. Even my Rush Limbaugh-loving uncle, and my shipping dock co-workers have taken it in stride.
Obviously, you have to make your decisions based on your own situation. I'm just saying, don't be too hasty in making those decisions. Good luck!
Edit: I see Muffin posted much of the same thing I did while I was typing. :D It must be good advice, then. ;)
Quote from: smoothandclean on February 04, 2010, 04:38:56 AM
Transitioin Where do I start and where is the best place to live? ???
No family or friends would understand so I have move, in the USA or out of the country.
I might as well be in or close to good areas that have a trans gender understanding.
please help, I don't know where to start.
Thanks.
Transition from what to what?
If you think you need to transition to other sex you start with a good therapist.
How do you think you will cope when family do ask you over or call? Good at lying?
Make a start tonight by going downtown into some of the ->-bleeped-<- bars and try to decide whichtype you are