Hi everybody

My name is John and I'm from NYC.  My girlfriend is transgender and I want to be informed so she can be comfortable with me and not have to explain everything.

Hi John from NYC, I'm Devlyn from Boston! Welcome to Susan's Place! It's always nice to see a transgender supporter on the site. The best way to learn here is read, read, read, and ask, ask ask.    We're always happy to answer questions, and you can always contact myself or another Staff member if you want some guidance on whether a subject is appropriate or how to phrase a question. I'll leave you with this welcome pamphlet to help you around the site. Be seeing you!

Hugs, Devlyn

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I second all that Devlyn wrote.

We love supporters. 

Read, ask questions and keep as open a mind as you can afford.

With warmth,

Joanna

Hello John and welcome to Susan's. We welcome all supporters. I live in New York City also.

Thank you Devlyn, and hugs back. I will more than likely take you up on the contacting you as I could really use someone to point me to the right sections.

Thanks for the warmth Joanna. Don't worry my mind is wide open.

Thank you for the welcome gennee

Hello and welcome 

Here are a few resources that might help understand:
http://www.acceptingdad.com/2013/08/05/to-the-unicorns-dad/

http://www.gires.org.uk/assets/DOH-Assets/pdf/doh-transgender-experiences.pdf

Studies by reputable sources are shown there. Its also explained with pictures.

Studies have shown there are differences in brains of women and men so a mismatch is possible.
There are even substances known to cause a higher rate of transgender people. They are off the market now.
Also transgender people have been around in all cultures so its not a cultural thing.

The brains of transgender people are wired this way before birth and there is no known way to change this.

Transgender people suffer from a condition called gender dysphoria.
It can be body related or social, like how they are perceived, preferring certain pronouns etc.
So its possible they do not like some parts of their body.
You might talk about it.

The remedy is often hrt and transition, depending on what the transgender person feels they need. Most people are much more happy afterwards.

Many transgender people have the support of a gender therapist to help them along.
You might visit there once or twice if your partner has a therapist so you can get a better understanding of the individual dysphoria of your partner.

I'd say just talk to each other ...
and you can ask questions here ...
there is also a chat on susans...
and of course your partner is invited too...


hugs

Hi John 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M