I just recently discover that I'm Transgender MTF, and haven't begun to transition yet.  Doing the research has been overwhelming and difficult for me to completely understand.  So this is all new to me and I've decided to do HRT and I hope it goes well I've heard various situations and I don't know what to believe.

Welcome to Susan's Place. Ask away as I am post surgical 34 years and over the last year I have been updating my knowledge with the current information on the forum. If I don't respond quickly, I suspect somebody else will have an answer up.

In addition, you will find information on just about everything related to transitioning and the people on the site will be more than happy to help you out.

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

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Greetings NylonRainbow,

Now there has to be a good story behind that name! And is this the way you prefer to be addressed?

You say that you are just realizing that you are transgender. I am just a couple of years ahead of you. It is a really amazing, wonderful and scary place to be. I recommend you take your time and enjoy all of the fun new experiences that will be opening up for you. There are so many things to do and so many wonderful new feeling to experience. You have already found your way to Susan's Place, a great place to start. It has helped my wife and me get a good handle on how to approach the changes that will take place and there are many many folks here on the site that will openly offer advice, wisdom, comfort and affirmation; all of which I have found need for in my journey.

You have already been researching this new world and have probably mapped out your path forward. I would like to suggest a few basic steps that have helped me along the way. A good support network is a great place to start, many would consider it essential. For me, this has my wife as my primary supporter and partner. My God and my spiritual beliefs are also critical. My next level of support is from local support groups. I have found two groups in my area that provide resource information, friendship and someone to talk to and hold on to when I need a shoulder to cry on. They have made this journey much easier. And lastly, I found a good gender therapist to help me work through and understand so many identity issues. Yes, I needed her to provide a letter to begin my hrt, but more importantly, she made sure that I at least heard about the things that I would be experiencing during the journey. I still go in to visit with her every couple of months.

Enough of my babbling, you are beginning a wonderful journey, I wish you well in those travels. Take your time and enjoy every step. And, hang on tight, you are in for one wild ride!

Anne

I have recently came out fully to my wife.  I was in denial since puberty.  When my wife caught me crossdressing 7 years ago and was very supportive i gained confidence and  started researching why i am such a weirdo.  Turns out im not weird im just me.  I have been very emotional lately probably because iv been angry my whole life bottling everything up and now everything seems to be just pouring out.  I am looking to start counseling imeadiatly and dream of statting my full transition.  I am so happy there are forums like this.   

Welcome to Susan's Place Emma. I suspect much of what you are feeling is you are allowing to feel for the first time in many years. We often survive by not experiencing all of our emotions and when we finally do, it can be over powering. Make sure you let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

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NylonRainbow -

   Welcome. You should find a therapist.  If you can find one who specializes in gender identity even better.   

- PJ

My apologies for the lateness of this reply I work overnights Sun-Wed night.  Thank you all that responded.  At the moment I feel like a frightened little girl.  So overwhelmed, it's nerve wreaking.  Finding a therapist has been extremely difficult in this city, due to the numerous people that need mental health, like myself.  I've always had extreme emotions never knew how to control them.  Never learned it, kept quiet and to myself a lot because I didn't know how to deal with them. Have any of you or anyone that hasn't replied had this sensation of an overwhelming urge to shave.  I was having dysphoria with my facial hair so I shaved, and then had this incredible urge to shave everything else on my body.  I was like a mad woman, and had to get it off.   Though I ended up nicking my self under my knee and was force to stop.  Though I was using a twin blade which I realized wasn't good enough.  I just shaved as quickly as possible probably another mistake because I just wanted it to be gone. 

I haven't had the urge to shave because my dysphoria was social. I have heard of other who much like you wanted all of their hair gone. Body dysphoria tends to move around and once you address one issue, you may feel uncomfortable somewhere else.

We weren't really worried about you be cause some member check in a few times a week and others like me need to get a life away from the site  Getting connected to a therapist can be a little difficult at first but most of the time, once you start you will have regular visits.

You don't have a mental health issue. You were born with a difference in your brain that makes it feminine instead of masculine. Therapy is not intended to cure you but instead to help you cope with the issues caused by the difference.

Quote from: Dena on September 22, 2016, 11:30:16 PM

You don't have a mental health issue. You were born with a difference in your brain that makes it feminine instead of masculine. Therapy is not intended to cure you but instead to help you cope with the issues caused by the difference.

I wasn't referring to me being fem as a mental issue, I have bi-polar manic depression schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I moved to New Mexico, and had a job for a little bit and then became homeless. I was curious if I could post my link to my go fund me page to help me get back on my feet and where would I post it? I have a job starting the 14th of August and won't get paid til the 25th of August. Til then I'm trying to provide myself with shelter and once paid should be able to provide my own shelter.

Go fund me links or any fund raising links are not permitted on the site unless approved by Susan. As for your current problem, you might check local churches, local charities or possible the local police department to see what help is available. Often there are many things like temporary living quarter and food banks that can help you get by until you start your job. Most of the time it's just a matter of locating them.

Quote from: NylonRainbow on September 21, 2016, 12:43:39 PM
I just recently discover that I'm Transgender MTF, and haven't begun to transition yet.  Doing the research has been overwhelming and difficult for me to completely understand.  So this is all new to me and I've decided to do HRT and I hope it goes well I've heard various situations and I don't know what to believe.

A place to start is loosing the "I think I am trans, therefore I must transition to be happy" belief, IMO. That is plain ole binary thinking. Having GD simply means you are "On the Spectrum", somewhere between cis-female and cis-male. Nothing more.

Knowing you are trans is easy. If you think, therefore you is. The almost impossible question to answer is where on the spectrum you are, and what you need to do to mange your particular flavor of GD, and find some balance between the GD and all the other things in a life that brings it meaning and purpose.