I'm 16, I've dated 2 people, one of whom turned out to be a liar, and the other of whom lost interest. I'm probably not going to date anymore until I get my top surgery and am on HRT for at least a year or so... I'm just too uncomfortable with my body and myself to think about it. I need to work on things before I can feel "right" dating someone.
Idk what I'm going to do after that though... In terms of telling people and the like. Probably just tell them up-front, if they can't already tell.
How about you? How did your dating strategy change throughout your transition, and where are you at now with dating?

In both of the long term relationships I've had before my current one, we had lots of intimacy issues. I never wanted to be undressed, never wanted to be touched, etc. It was the elephant in the room, always. But I had really good girlfriends who never wanted me to feel uncomfortable, so it was never made a big deal of. Maybe if it had been, I would've transitioned sooner. Who knows.

When I decided I was ready to transition (roughly 8 years after realizing I was trans), I initially decided that I didn't want to date anyone until top surgery was over and done with. I felt like it would only be fair that way, knowing how much I disliked my body at that point. But I met someone online and we really hit it off. They were there when I started T, drove me to/from top surgery, and around for a lot of my important milestones. But they were also an idiot, so we aren't together anymore.

My current girlfriend is someone I've known for years, so she's seen all the bad times and the good ones. I wasn't planning to date for a while since I have some pretty heavy medical stuff coming up this year, but the heart wants what it wants. I feel a lot better now with T and top surgery, so most of the intimacy issues that were present before are gone. She's totally supportive of whatever bottom surgery route I'll end up going down, and I imagine things will only improve from here.

I had a lot of success meeting people to talk to/befriend/date using submission blogs on Tumblr. That is probably what I would go back to if I found myself suddenly single, but I don't see that happening.

My intention was to not date at all tell after SRS and being done with my transition. Yet, I ended up meeting a guy who I have been dating for over a year now. This happened about 3 months in to HRT and 6 months into RLE. I am sure you will find the person who is right for you. About all we can do is keep trying. Hugs
Mariah

I quit dating before I transitioned because I was on a path and didn't want romantic attachments to divert me. That worked well for me so naturally I'd recommend it to others. But since none of us are the same, and you're 16, your situation is different. Given that, I'd say if you find someone you like to hang out with, and who likes hanging out with you. Enjoy the time together. If gender comes up, be as honest as you feel like at the time.

I remember how difficult life was at 16. Try to keep as many things in your life as simple as you can. There's enough pressure from situations over which you have no control.

Oh that's simple.  Did not date until completing transistion.  Now I'm everywhere.  Depending on dating site I disclose my trans status.  In person meets such as bars, I never disclose.
Some weeks I don't have to buy my own dinner. 

Honestly the thought of dating pre-op was very scary.

Anne

I'm not overly social so it makes dating a challenge in itself so this relationship I currently in is my first. My girlfriend already knew me a bit before I came in terms with my gender so it was never a secret. But it's long distance so I don't really have to worry about touching anyway and hoping by the time I do meet her I will already be post top surgery.

I thought I was going to have to wait a long time before I'd ever be comfortable or someone would even want to date me but I managed to find someone who was accepting and even when we meet in real would be okay not doing certain things that would make me uncomfortable.

Please don't feel too bummed out, Morpho. I think dating is an area lots and lots of trans people struggle with daily. I've only dated one person and we broke up faster than you can say "Apple Bottom Pancake Pants."

But things can change for the better and they do not have to stay that way. There are plenty of trans folks, too, who are in great relationships. Maybe look some up on youtube for inspiration. I know a couple on here and some of them may or may not have already replied.

Whatever you do Morpho, never give up.

Take care.

I was bisexual with a preference more towards women before I transitioned to womanhood. Since starting medical HRT female hormones I am still bisexual but with more of an attraction to men. I date men now. xx

Prior to starting transision I coulden't really even bring myself to think about dateing, it just seemed impossible or wrong, I had myself convinced that dating a girl would be a cruel joke to her because I am a broken broken individual, who could clearly not offer anyone anything but pain. even the few times girls showed interest in me I mostly turned it into a friend thing.

I am now 11 months on hrt and 7 months after I went full time and about a month ago I signed up for OK cupid to try and meet people, so far nothing but a few casual talks but even though my body is virtually unchanged and I am still a mess, I no longer feel like everyone elses happiness is my problem, if some girl has a issue with me being trans thats ok, her loss. So I think I am going to keep going with the attempts at dating and relationships even though its weird and difficult and there is at least a 25% Chance that if I did try and do anything intamate with someone I would just cry and roll into a sobbing ball with crippling dysphoria but I am willing to try.

Serena, 34, Transgender, lesbian, virgin, spends most nights hugging her body pillow, really needs some closeness with someone.