well..here I go.. "Off and running" as they say in the movies!!! Born a biological male 52 years ago and after decades of trying to release the clutches of religious brainwashing, I think I have arrived!!! Yes.... I was raised extremist Protestant Nazarene with Ministers on BOTH sides of my family... so after being saved, santicifed, filled with the Holy Spirit, found my Spiritual Gifts, attended Basic Youth Conflicts year after year as well as Promise Keepers AND even going through "deliverence"; I am who I am. And, as Lady Gaga so eliquently put it "Baby, I was born this way!" I knew from the time I was 4 years old I wanted to be and should have been a girl. After saving my cereal box tops for what seemed like months on end, I finally had enough to send off for this little magic kti with a magic wand in it. I was so excited when it finally came in the mail!! I distinctly remember parading around the front yard in amazement with my new wand and then.... I uttered those magical words in the best form a 4 year old could sputter.... "Abracadabra.... make me a girl". I was so disappointed when it didn't work, I told my mother it was "broken". So, I saved up more cereal box tops and ordered another one only to be dually disappointed in the same reaction when the second failed as well. I cried for weeks, as I was devastated. Heartbreaking for any 4 year old yes; so in an effort to comfort me, my mother bought me my first doll and I loved her to death!!!

Now we are in 2013 and those feelings rush over me time and time again.... I have been married in the church, fathered a child who is now 30, yet my feelings are as strong as they were when I was 4. A chance of circumstance or  product of conditioning? I think not. Baby, I was born this way!!!! So now I start out on my course seeking a therapist who will iniate the necessary letter to my provider to start the HRT and off I go on facial laser  hair removal. The journey begins today. Right now...... :-)

I know the road will be load and many curves and hills; but I have come this far and survived, right???

Hi RenaeK,

Welcome to our little family. Over 12060 . That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.

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Janet  )O(

Thank you Ms. Obrien!!!! I am so glad and THANKFUL for his site!!!! I will be posting a pic tonight when I get home from my office.........

Renae, you have been a survivor.  So many of us in our generation (I'm about your age) dealt with ignorance and a lack of resources in our relative youth.  And so many of our sisters and brothers in the TG/TS community could not cope.  Even when I was in college and saw a psychiatrist, my gender issues were not identified.

So we have come to the realization of our nature later in life.  Better late than never to express who we are.

Hi Renae,

Yep you have put up a good fight!

Welcome and get used to being accepted for who you are. I transitioned in my late 50's and have never been happier.
I hope your journey goes smoothly as well!!!

Hugs

Cindy

Welcome to Susan's, Renae. Quite a journey you've traveled.

Welcome aboard Renae,
I'm another one who decided to take the plunge late in life with the really big steps hitting in when I myself was hitting 54. I also have 3 adult kids and even a first grandchild.
There have been a couple of rough patches but overall, far more to be positive about than to feel bad about.
Wishing you all the best and just remember to keep breathing in your rush forward..
Bises
Donna