Hi Everyone,

I told a friend at work today I was transgender.  I've never told a soul except for a few therapist and my wife.  After all these years, it felt really surreal to say the least.  It almost felt, like a dream that I was watching.  I thought about doing this forever and it actually happen today.

She was extremely nice about it and has transgender friends.  I sort of knew this but wasn't sure.  I think this made it much easier.  I don't know where I'm going from here, but it amazed me how much relief I felt telling her.

Anyway, just another step in this journey to somewhere.

Paige

Congratulations

Quote from: Edge on November 01, 2013, 11:21:00 PM
Congratulations

Thanks Edge

Congratulations!!

The first person is usually the hardest...for me, it was the first couple people, because the voice(s) in the back of my head were like, "No backing out if you tell!! Are you sure about this?!!"

Once those two were told...I couldn't keep my mouth shut afterwards.

I'm glad it went well and that you have another supporter
I recognize that surreal feeling. When I first came out to a friend at college my mind kept asking me "You're not actually saying this out loud, are you?"

Quote from: Paige on November 01, 2013, 11:15:13 PM
Hi Everyone,

I told a friend at work today I was transgender.  I've never told a soul except for a few therapist and my wife. 

Ten years ago, I was "out" at my job, though I was still presenting as a guy. My experience is that once the ladies in the office found out, then how they talked and interacted with me changed. I noticed they would discuss their thoughts directly with me, versus a suggestive, non-direct, non-confrontational way that I was use to in the male role. Now they did not mind speaking their minds directly to me, and I could feel the loss of the respect and reservation that I experienced in the male role.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on November 02, 2013, 08:40:26 PM
Once those two were told...I couldn't keep my mouth shut afterwards.

Thanks Beth Andrea, yes that's what I'm a little worried about. 

Quote from: Incarlina on November 02, 2013, 08:44:03 PM
I'm glad it went well and that you have another supporter
I recognize that surreal feeling. When I first came out to a friend at college my mind kept asking me "You're not actually saying this out loud, are you?"

Thanks Incarlina, that's exactly what I was thinking.  I'm still stunned that I actually did it.  I guess there's no way of getting the genie back in the bottle now.

Quote from: genderhell on November 02, 2013, 10:22:31 PM
Ten years ago, I was "out" at my job, though I was still presenting as a guy. My experience is that once the ladies in the office found out, then how they talked and interacted with me changed. I noticed they would discuss their thoughts directly with me, versus a suggestive, non-direct, non-confrontational way that I was use to in the male role. Now they did not mind speaking their minds directly to me, and I could feel the loss of the respect and reservation that I experienced in the male role.

I'm hoping it doesn't spread until I can take a breath.  I trust the lady I told,  she's very understanding.  It's interesting how they changed their demeanor to you though.  I wonder if this is common?

QuoteIt's interesting how they changed their demeanor to you though.  I wonder if this is common?

With me, it didn't happen right away. I was so used to presenting as Über Manly that it took awhile for me to lose it, and for the women to trust that I wasn't a wolf in sheep's clothing...

But after a few months as I consistently presented (getting more girly with each passing week) there came a time when I noticed the change in demeanor towards me by the girls...and by the guys.

Congrats Paige!! You stick with us and we will help you with enough information to guide you wherever you want to go or do. This is a very special place full of caring and sharing. Looks like the flood gates are now open for you!! 

Quote from: Paige on November 01, 2013, 11:15:13 PM
Anyway, just another step in this journey to somewhere.

Hey Paige, do I so relate to the words above - very well put!

But congratulations are definitely in order! Your world gets a little bit bigger....

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on November 03, 2013, 01:25:36 AM
Congrats Paige!! You stick with us and we will help you with enough information to guide you wherever you want to go or do. This is a very special place full of caring and sharing. Looks like the flood gates are now open for you!! 

Thanks Jessica.  You're so right about Susan's, there are so many caring people here.   

Quote from: TanyaW on November 03, 2013, 01:30:00 AM
Hey Paige, do I so relate to the words above - very well put!

But congratulations are definitely in order! Your world gets a little bit bigger....

Thanks Tanya.  This life thing sure gets interesting sometimes.

Quote from: Paige on November 03, 2013, 11:28:06 AM
Thanks Jessica.  You're so right about Susan's, there are so many caring people here.   


Thanks Tanya.  This life thing sure gets interesting sometimes.

It's much better than the alternative, imho. 

Quote from: Beth Andrea on November 03, 2013, 12:29:41 PM
It's much better than the alternative, imho. 

Maybe we can put a different spin on the curse "May you live in interesting times" to something like, "May you live an interesting life"?  Sometimes boring looks really good