Well here I am. I'm in my 40s and have been equivocating on whether I'm ftm or not for years. I ID as genderqueer for sure. More recently, it's just become impossible not to take steps to transition. I came out to my parents a few days ago, and they're terrific.
But I have a lot of work ahead of me and thought it would be good to talk to as many people as possible.

Also, I read I think, ALL the RULES! And now I think I know why I can't have an avatar photo.

Aha Mac!  I have some good stuff for you

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Age and the Forum
  
• Reputation rules
  
• Photo, avatars, and signature images policy
  

New aspects of the site will open to you when you get to 15 posts.  That will include the ability to modify your profile to add an avatar.  Another threshold occurs at 50 posts.

But welcome!  We have a great FtM community here.  Go say hello and post in some topics, and you will get to 15 in no time flat.

Hi Mac and welcome to Susan's.

You bring up something I could never make sense of. Why do people want an avatar soon as they sign up for something? I never ran into the post limit problem due to not  even thinking of putting one up until well after that.


Anyway, I'm glad you found us and I am sure you will find it a friendly place. There is a lot of info both here on the boards and in the wiki. I hope you will soon feel at home.

Why do I want an avatar right away? Good question! Two reasons, i think:

• Usually, if I didn't know if I'd stick around, i wouldn't bother. but I've lurked here enough that I can see it's an active place, with people I can relate to.
• I'm a graphic designer, so I guess that's why I want an image to associate with me. I find it's easier for me to remember people based on their avatar more than their user-name.

Thanks for the welcomes! I'll try not to look as if I'm "padding" my post count 

I didn't think of the image versus name angle. I find faces easier to remember than names so I guess it makes sense. Some people here change names, and/or avatars quite often. It can sometimes be fun figuring out who it is. Usually things they can't change give it away.

Hi Mac

Nice to have you on board.

And yes people change avatars quite a bit, every time they change their stripes for some

or spots as the case may be.

A thousand welcomes to you Mac! 

Hello MacG,

Seems like we are about the same age and in the same place in our journey and I just joined the forum as well. I haven't come out to my parents yet but that is coming soon. It's very comforting to know they were terrific about it !  I look forward to reading your posts .

Hi Mac!
Welcome to Susan's
Teriffic to hear that your folks handled it well. The only one in my family who knows that I'm m2f is my wife. I'm a little older than you (60ish), and somewhat reluctant to open up to everyone. There are a lot of stories here to read, every one will add to your experience, as yours will add to ours. Feel free to move about the cabin... 
{hugz}

Hi MacG,

A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.

There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in start talking and ask any question you like. You're quite safe here and we are very accepting.

Now that you're here, I just wish you'd stop equivocating and get on with the job at hand.    . And one of the rules round here is you're not allowed to use age against you. 

So glad to hear your first steps have been so positive. Hope the rest of your journey reflects the same.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

I lurked a lot before making my account...and a lot after making it, too. I only just now started getting out of my shell and actually posting. Oops!

Congrats on coming out! I'm glad it went well with your parents. I think finding lots of people to talk to is a great strategy.

Hope you enjoy it here! I bet you will.