Hello everyone at Susan's Place! I'm Ninfia, a name chosen based on one of my favorite Pokémon's Japanese names- Sylveon. It's almost always of the male sex, but looks so feminine you'd never know. It's also quite handy in battle, which is never a downside.
Anyway, fictional creatures aside, I came here for what I'm assuming most people come here for, a sanctuary where I can be myself. In the real world, everything and everyone expects me to be a man. You show even the slightest bit of femininity, and everyone laughs at you and calls you gay. Online, though, those reactions don't bear any weight.
I do a good job of fitting into the crowd- sometimes so good that I almost forget I'm a transwoman. I'm not the shining example of masculinity, far from it, but you could look at me complete and thoroughly and not find much more than an ounce of the opposite.
My father is at least slightly homophobic, but I think he has more of a concern with not LOOKING gay than not liking people who are. He's 6'1", and I'm expected to be taller (please short mom's genes kick in!). He thinks being trans is just the "cool thing" nowadays. My mother's side of the family is much more accepting, but I'm still concerned about coming out to them. The last time someone in my family came out, the reaction was mostly negative, but it may have just been the way she did- or rather didn't. She just randomly changed her Facebook name to Iris without telling even her parents.
I'm out to a few close friends who have my back. They were surprised, but reacted very positively. I like coming out to people I trust, but family is still a daunting challenge no matter the relationship you have with them.
Anyway, I'm done with venting for now. I hope this will be a great experience where I meet new people and have a good time being myself!
-N
