Hi everyone,
What I'm about to share may not tally with the journey some of you are making, nor how you identify. But what I'm sharing is my personal, at times angst ridden, journey. I'm putting that at the start because I want you to know this is the first time I've shared this and it comes from my heart and body. I'm also a bit confused so any thoughts will be very welcome (be gentle though!).
I was born with a penis but that's not where this story begins. Instead it begins four years later, some 40-odd years ago. I remember reaching into the airing cupboard and trying on my sister's underwear. And I was thrilled. I had a conscious surge of excitement, satisfaction and joy. Although I didn't know the word, it was liberation.
The next 13 years were ones of suppression and turmoil. I explored sexuality through homosexual encounters but the real inner me craved to transition. I really, really, wanted to. I wrote off to places in Europe for MTF hormones. Remember we're talking early 1980's and I was in my teens. I have a few regrets in life and this was one: that I didn't go through with it.
But all this was to be crushed. My father had other plans and I was made to join the military, where I was useless because I was 'a fairy' so I got out. I got married because this was the done thing, but whenever I could I slipped into my wife's underwear. When I took to the dance floor, I took the female routine. When I sang, it was the female lead which was always my instinct. The inner girl craved to break through.
The suppression continued until I was eventually recently divorced and, suddenly, years of angst were released. I went a bit wild, hitting my body with online HRT drugs and probably nearly killed myself in the process.
Everything I've written so far may be fairly resonant, but here's the part which I'm unsure about ...
I don't get turned on by men and, actually, never have. I do, however, love their part

And, yes, I only ever think 'passive.' (I shudder at the idea of being 'top' - sorry if this is tmi). I still get turned on by women, but for years this has been adoration of femininity. When I see a lady in beautiful shoes I admire those shoes, and crave the look. And so it goes on. In short, I love them because I want to be them. I always wear female underwear and, when possible, female outer clothes though not so much outdoors. I love female fashion and my favourite films are ones like The Devil Wears Prada (lurve the opening sequences). I'm camp, feminine and, yes I paint my nails

I'd be curious to know what people think this 'makes' me. If I could wave a magic fairy dust wand I'd be a transsexual - a sissy. That's what I think I am, or what I'd love to be, and hence my title: MtT Male to Trans

In some way it's not so much how I look but how I
feel and that requires not just cross-dressing. One thing I know from my childhood is that this isn't just about what I wear. It's who I am. It comes from within, it's me, the core of me, the inner girl who has desperately craved to break out all these years.
As I say, any reflections would be very gratefully received.
your loving friend Richenda x