So I've been away for the forums for a little because I was busy moving back to college and getting used to the start of the semester, but I wanted to make this post to give an update on how my transition is going.
After returning to school I came out to the head of my department and made the request that all the professors start referring to me as Thea and with feminine pronouns, and so far they have all been respecting my wishes. My birth name still slips out occasionally, but I'm certainly getting closer to being called what I would like to be called at all times. I've also been introducing myself to everyone I meet as Thea which I expected would lead to some questions since I still look physically male and Thea is a feminine name, but surprisingly everyone has just taken it at face value which I'm glad about. I've started seeing a therapist with the goal of helping me build the confidence I need to go out in public dressed as a woman regardless of how passable I am. I have already helped myself overcome worries about passability and now the only fear holding me back is really the fear of not knowing how I'd react to people if they do say hurtful things. Still I try to do what little things I can to express my femininity and feel closer to myself until I have built the confidence to be completely myself. For instance, I now wear my two favorite rings everyday and I often have my nails painted. I also almost exclusively wear women's underclothes in my daily life. My university is doing what it can to be accommodating and I have been working with the office of social equity to help me find a solution to the issue of restrooms and changing facilities on campus. I also recently had a close girl friend of mine give me a big make-up bag filled with a bunch of make-up she never used and I think it was the most excited I had ever been about a present in my life. I'm also going to get a wig soon, and I think between the wig and make-up it will do wonders for my confidence as far as going out dressed the way I want is concerned. My real biggest hang-up as far as my looks go though is still all my body hair. I can't afford to get it permanently removed as of yet, but it really upsets me and grosses me out. I'm planning to start shaving my arms and legs and keeping them shaved at the very least since they are typically the most exposed body parts. Finally, I'm seriously considering making my name change legal so that I can have it on all my official documentation because I'm 100% certain that I'm never going to go back to living under my birth name or living as a man because if I were to do that it would kill me. Plus I just want to be able to apply for jobs and such under my real name. Anyway, I think that is everything going on in my life. Have a great day, everyone!
Lots of Love,
Thea
