I think the danger from photo is overblown unless somebody suspects your TS and has lots and lots of time to kill.

I'd be more worried about dumpster diving or having any written personal information on the net that allow cross referencing to my male googlable self  (My  male self is in much more than 1M pages by the way... Because my heavy and early involvement with the Internet, I've got web hits from early Mosaic days and countless from Usenet).

My female self has a much more discrete footprint, zero, since I never use my real second name,  that doesn't link back to this person, I try to keep it that way.

Quote from: Laura Eva B on July 21, 2007, 10:46:36 PM

Quote from: Tink on July 21, 2007, 10:36:33 PM
I can't still get over this Katia thing.  This is just too amusing....
tink  

Since when has deception been amusing ?  I certainly wasn't in on the "joke" 

So does Katia run to a full beard in real life, is this whole goth thing a "make believe" ?



Laura x

   I know I cannot speak for her, but my opinion is that Katia's point is "this is me as far as I am concerned when it comes to what I've decided to show.  Take it or leave it."
   I think she is being private and not secretive.

   And, I know nobody cares, but that red thing is my actual eye, so even if you can't relate to me, you really are seeing the real me. 

   I understand that I'm probably not going to meet anybody I've met here. But I take what I read as the true essence of the person because that is where I'm receiving my 'cues' from.


The Reeb

Quote from: morticia on July 21, 2007, 11:15:06 PM
Well, like it or not, I'm not posting a pic of the way I currently look because it disgusts me.
This is my second go at transition after I set it aside for 17 years so I could be "dad" for my kids.
Since the first time, I put on 70lbs and have a neck like an oak tree.
I can't look in the mirror because it makes me cry.  The person I see in the mirror is not me.
I'm ashamed of the face that's attached to my body.
My body is coming along now after 7 months on HRT but the face is going to cost me
a trip to Thailand and big bucks before I can even think about trying to pass.
I don't allow anyone to take pictures of me, not even my own kids.
Maybe, in a few months, once my hair grows back again I'll go to Houston
for a makeover and a glamor shoot and then I may consider putting one of them up.
But the way I look now?  No way.  I'm not out yet.  I'm working on it but it's not time yet.
Give me some time to get there.  Heck I haven't even had makeup on in 17 years.
Until then I'll use a silly little graffiti artwork thing I stole from somewhere online.
I would assume no one would mistake my avatar for a real human.  I would hope not anyway..
I assure you I have no intentions of deceiving anyone, I'm tired of lying.  I've spent 46 years lying and I'm tired of it.
I don't expect anyone to believe or trust me and I don't care if you do or not.
I'm hear to learn how to make it through my transition by asking questions and reading the stories of the women that have gone before me.  I'm not here to tell anyone what to do or how to do it.
I have questions and I need answers.  I came here and joined because I see this forum is very active and it's likely I'll find the answers I seek in a shorter time than some of the other forums I frequent.
I'm not a troll or an antagonist or a stalker or ->-bleeped-<- ->-bleeped-<-.  I'm a transsexual woman in transition and the only thing I want is to complete my journey with as little pain and trouble as possible.  I don't seek attention or trouble.
I just want to live a quiet life and in the end I just want to be another faceless non-person in the biomass that minds her own business and moves about without causing a wake.

Mkay?

That's perfectly fine, Morticia   you are NOT supposed to post a photograph of yourself if you don't wish to do so.  You may use the many options we have in our gallery or an avatar of your choice.  Don't fret about it hon.

tink

Morticia,
Post whatever you want in your Avatar.
I like to post my photo, because I'm vain like that 
But, I don't care other people want to do.
I'm not them and everybody's need is different.

Its only curiosity that makes me want to see pictures
of people sometimes, but I quickly overcome this desire 

Quote from: Berliegh on July 21, 2007, 11:49:32 AM

Quote from: Kristi on July 21, 2007, 08:25:21 AM

Quote from: Berliegh on July 21, 2007, 01:14:54 AM

Kristi.....you are definitely kidding about me! .....have you seen Debski.....now she is a gorgeous woman....

Berliegh, honey, what's your address?   I think we need to send you a mirror.     And no, I'm not kidding one bit.  Accept it and enjoy it.

Peace,
Kristi

Kristi, Judging by your photograph you have nothing to worry about either. You look a lot feminine than I ever could.

Posted on: July 21, 2007, 11:46:47 AM

---

Quote from: Kristi on July 21, 2007, 08:25:21 AM

Quote from: Berliegh on July 21, 2007, 01:14:54 AM

Kristi.....you are definitely kidding about me! .....have you seen Debski.....now she is a gorgeous woman....

Berliegh, honey, what's your address?   I think we need to send you a mirror.     And no, I'm not kidding one bit.  Accept it and enjoy it.

Peace,
Kristi

Come on Kristi, going by your photograph you look a lot more feminine than I ever could. I'll try and put in a closer aviatior...

Well, Berliegh, you beauty, I do appreciate the sentiments.   
But I wasn't fishing for compliments.  Right now I'm walking the streets in California, and seeing girls that make me green with envy.  It isn't easy being green!   Guess there's always someone out there that will make us insecure if we are not secure with who we are.

Kristi

Quote from: Laura Eva B on July 21, 2007, 09:56:18 PM
Sorry, but the only people I really trust on this forum, and who I would ever consider PM-ing or chatting personally with, are those who not only use "real" avatars, but who have posted photos of themselves "in forum", and who I have a good idea of where they live, what they do to get by, their personal circumstances .... (Maud, Rachael, Berleigh, Keira, Debbie, Steph ....)

For me no meaningful avatar means someone I can never really trust.

Laura x

Gosh... I am untrustworthy, my World has ended.

I had my photo as my avatar, even posted it in the gallery for 3 months (top rated I seem to remember, 5 stars, most commented), but I also like to change these regularly and get fed up looking at myself.

I can understand how some people feel deeply about this, my Gender issues are no more (fixed that bit) but the Dysphoria lives on, no matter how much and how many times my friends tell me I look good, I cannot see that. I do hate how I look and it took a lot of courage for me to post my photo for the 3 months I left it up.

Personally, I will talk to anyone here, regardless of whether they look like a Cat, Dog, supermodel or inanimate object in their avatar, after all thats why I am here and everyone has a right to privacy.

Buffy

Quote from: morticia on July 21, 2007, 11:15:06 PM
Well, like it or not, I'm not posting a pic of the way I currently look because it disgusts me.
This is my second go at transition after I set it aside for 17 years so I could be "dad" for my kids.
Since the first time, I put on 70lbs and have a neck like an oak tree.
I can't look in the mirror because it makes me cry.  The person I see in the mirror is not me.
I'm ashamed of the face that's attached to my body.
My body is coming along now after 7 months on HRT but the face is going to cost me
a trip to Thailand and big bucks before I can even think about trying to pass.
I don't allow anyone to take pictures of me, not even my own kids.
Maybe, in a few months, once my hair grows back again I'll go to Houston
for a makeover and a glamor shoot and then I may consider putting one of them up.
But the way I look now?  No way.  I'm not out yet.  I'm working on it but it's not time yet.
Give me some time to get there.  Heck I haven't even had makeup on in 17 years.
Until then I'll use a silly little graffiti artwork thing I stole from somewhere online.
I would assume no one would mistake my avatar for a real human.  I would hope not anyway..
I assure you I have no intentions of deceiving anyone, I'm tired of lying.  I've spent 46 years lying and I'm tired of it.
I don't expect anyone to believe or trust me and I don't care if you do or not.
I'm hear to learn how to make it through my transition by asking questions and reading the stories of the women that have gone before me.  I'm not here to tell anyone what to do or how to do it.
I have questions and I need answers.  I came here and joined because I see this forum is very active and it's likely I'll find the answers I seek in a shorter time than some of the other forums I frequent.
I'm not a troll or an antagonist or a stalker or ->-bleeped-<- ->-bleeped-<-.  I'm a transsexual woman in transition and the only thing I want is to complete my journey with as little pain and trouble as possible.  I don't seek attention or trouble.
I just want to live a quiet life and in the end I just want to be another faceless non-person in the biomass that minds her own business and moves about without causing a wake.

Mkay?

Hi Morticia (nice name).
Welcome here. Avatars really aren't a big deal although I did expect to see an avatar of Morticia Addams upon seeing your post. Some people choose to post an avatar of themselves and that's great. It is by no means a requirement and to be blunt this subject of avatars and deceit is downright laughable. If someone doesn't want to get to know me or feels they can't trust me because I refuse to post my own avatar on a public forum that's their loss.

Keira , I have to agree with Morticia on this one " Girl you look great!"  Believe me! If I looked like that, My picture would go up there too. Maybe one of these days it will be.
Right now, I would be very recognizable to many people and if somebody saw me, It could have a devastating effect on my life right now. You never know who's looking in on these forums.
I,m also a member on another forum and we have had a couple of nastys calling us freaks, misfits and so on.
So as long as I can be reconized, I'll be playing it safe.

For those that feel we can't be trusted or not wanting to be our friend because we're not posting a picture of ourselves is totally ridiculous!  If they feel that way, Well ! it doesn't break my heart not to get to know them either. 

QuoteFor me no meaningful avatar means someone I can never really trust.

That is your choice, to trust or not to trust.

You can see by my avatar that I am really Brittany [friggin'] Spears.
As you can see, I've gotten out of rehab and grown my hair back in.

I was born Brian Spears and transitioned just before I went onto the Mickey Mouse Club in my youth, so I guess that makes me a primary! I'm sooo excited to be here. Does anyone want to tell me how much more beautiful I am than them, or worship my celebrity status?

If you PM me, I will tell you where to mail me some hooch, and I will send you lots of $$$$!

I have to run now and have sex with my GF before I pick up my kid from my Mom's house.
But I'll be back soon.

Love you dalings! You're all sooo cute!

XXOO  Brittany.

Quote from: Thundra on July 22, 2007, 01:37:06 AM
I have to run now and have sex with my GF before I pick up my kid from my Mom's house.

How long will that last, Thundra?  I'm asking because I feel that recently I...... never mind....you know what I mean...

Suggestions?  vitamins or what?  LOL 

tink

QuoteSuggestions?  vitamins or what?  LOL 

You are already on a major dosage of vitamin "L" so, I'd be careful adding in other stuff.   

Ahhhh, life without sleep.  I remember it well.  It sux getting old. And fat.  Wait a minute.
I forgot that I'm Brittany Spears now.  No worries.

I've never posted an avatar here for a few reasons, privacy is one but the main trouble I have is how people treat me, on another TS forum I was told repeatedly that i couldn't pass for a bloke even with a full beard and that i had no idea what i was talking about seeing as I wasn't really TS just a girl who was born with a penis.

I don't like it when others are jealous as it clouds their judgement.

Considering how tall you are Mawd, believe me, with a full beard you would pass as male  and I would too.

But, I do know that sometimes, I feel appart from other TS because of how I look. Not ostratised, but seemingly, its as if I can't have the same pain as the rest of them because I was lucky enough to look good (part of this look, paid for 10K in cash). Some make me feel like I'm whining for nothing when I'm really hurting inside from being scarred from 20+ years of hell.

My piccy depicts my alter ego as how I see myself, alone in the dark inwardly crying out for a helping hand.
Untill I have completed the course in ridding my face of this shaving shadow, then I dont feel strong enough to portray myself in a real piccy of myself.
I guess I have low self esteem, and I am frightened what others will or wont say.
But soon girls soon I will be free.

Quote from: regina on July 22, 2007, 11:46:45 AMThen what on earth are they doing spending their time prowling around on a TS forum?

See the title under my name? that means i'm staff, being staff here would be a bit weird if I didn't post here.

Quote from: Fer on July 21, 2007, 09:33:25 PM
Lol Lol Lol Katia you're mental!  Katia's also a female devil, a peacock and a vampire.  Oh darling you've a great sense of humor.  Everybody fell for it, Lol.

Obviously, I didn't fall for it, my comments on her picture were a subtle sarcasm meant to show that I knew it wasn't her in the picture, but without directly challenging her about it lest she feel insulted. No harm, no foul.

Now my picture is of the real me, of course, from ancient Alexandria, I'm over 1,600 years old but still look great for my age.

Posted on: July 22, 2007, 11:57:22 AM

---

Quote from: Fer on July 21, 2007, 09:33:25 PM
incidentally, that's not me on my avatar.  she's a voodoo spirit!  Lol Lol   

Straight up--in Vodun, the lwa Erzulie Dantor is a protector of queer women. I love seeing her emblem here.

meh, i like myself a bit too much and so i like to impose my ugly mug on you all and give you all nightmares that sends hidden messages for you all to love me just through my avatar pic 

No, really. I'm serious.   

It's time for this thread to die, so I am locking it.