Ok, jumping into the ocean, figuratively. First of all, I am glad to finally be here. I am also on another tg forum but have known about this one for some time. My name is Jessica, 29, mtf pre-op. Obviously, like most/all of you, I have a long story but I'll try to stick to the short version for now.
I came out about 5 months ago to most of my family and friends. Mostly I have gotten support and in some cases enthusiasm as lots of people have known something has been up with me and they are glad to see me finally being myself. I am in Vermont, which is a pretty open and accepting place.

I have known since at least middle school that I wasn't ok with my body. It took until high school to completely realize that I was meant to be a woman. At that point I didn't know what to do, so I hid it and was hiding from the real me. I was living in shame, unsure of how to continue, and I was never that overtly masculine, but I did try to cover for myself by sometimes acting more macho than I was. It wasn't a religious thing or even ultimately a transphobic thing, I just wasn't completely accepting who I was, which is the most important thing no matter who you are.
I finished college and got into the workforce. I was depressed all the time, dressing in secrecy (which my mom actually knew about my cross-dressing since high school, I came to find out) and kept to myself too much. Needless to say, this all led to vast emotional and psychological damage, which is now being healed since I've come out. A couple years ago, my mom pulled me aside and told me she knew about my crossdressing and she was accepting of it. This led me to do a lot of soul searching and I started coming out to every one else just 5 months ago. I have a gender counselor, changed my doctor to one who specializes with transgender patients, and I have my third appointment wither and start on HRT in just two days!!!
As I said, I am glad I am here, and I will see you around the forum. Any questions for me? Ask away!!! I know I have plenty as I continue along the transition.
-JM-