I've been here just a few days and I'm so impressed by how friendly and helpful everyone is.  So many forums turn into flame-war battlefields I'm happy just to be here!

I was born in Los Angeles CA and grew up in the Orange County
suburbs- a very conservative community where information about gender
identity and sexuality were very hard to find.  At puberty I began to feel closer to females and less like my male
contemporaries.  Times being what they were, I felt I had no
choice but to step into the male role laid out for me.  Clandestine
cross-dressing remained the only outlet for my true gender identity
for most of my life.

Following college, I began my career.  I married and fathered
one child with whom I remain close to this day.  I became disabled in
2001 due to a chronic illness and spent 4 years working to regain my
health.  Two years ago when my condition stabilized I began the
process of transition.  I now live as a woman and I've legally
changed my name and gender on my birth certificate.  I have been
able to resume work part-time as a vocational rehab counselor in a mental health
clinic.  I hope to began work on a master of social work in the fall of
2008.

Hello,
welcome to the site and everything, hope it fills a need. Also hope your plans for the new year proceed smoothly.

Welcome to the family...as dysfunctional as we might be at times...oh...wait...I think thats more a personal reference more than anything...

I haven't been here all that long myself and yet this place had a good vibe for me almost immediately. There's plenty to talk about and tons of people willing to help out if you ask...

Again...welcome to the forums!

Peace and love,
Izzy

Hi Claire,

Welcome to Susan's and we'll be looking forward to seeing more of you here.

You're right. It is a nice place with lotsa very good people posting here. I cannot imagine you not slotting right into the niche we've had waiting for just you. *smile*

Please read and be conversant with the site rules and terms of service: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html

Enjoy your time here.

BTW, I am glad you are doing better. I have one semester left of school before getting my MSW. I imagine you won't have deep difficulties with it. Most of mine have revolved around money, time and balancing four-thousand things at once!!! LOL

Hugs,

Nichole

Welcome Claire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, Claire de Lune, and welcome to Susan's.

This is a diverse place and these forums are a meeting place for all of us.  We have our occasional dust-ups but seldom is there a flame-throwing contest.  The moderation here has been effective, that is, loose enough to permit a lively discourse yet firm enough to lock a topic or cool the combatants when needed.

Please, feel comfortable here.  It's safe and there are many nice people here.  Just ask Pica Pica.

Enjoy your stay with us.

Wing Walker

Hi Claire de Lune, welcome to Susan's and I do pray you will find what it is you seek here. I do hope to share some sometime when and if we connect again in the future.

Cindy

Welcome to susans place claire de lune  & happy new year

welcome home