I absolutely LOVE Halloween. Probably because I can take advantage of it and dress as myself and have fun without any judgment!! So are you planning to do the same this Halloween? What are you dressing up as?

I don't do Halloween. 

I think that a lifetime of dressing in the costume of a male has turned me off dressing up.  Once I started understanding myself, part of me wanted to take advantage of Halloween to dress in women's clothes.  But the bigger part of me shuddered in horror at the idea of making a joke of who I really was.  I didn't want anyone to ever get the idea that my preferred clothing was a costume for their entertainment.  It would have trivialized the most important part of me.

Now that I am full time, it would be men's clothes that are the dress-up.  And I can't see myself ever wearing those again.  Too dysphoric.  I find it hard enough just to put on my old guy jeans to do painting or other messy work.  I could never go out in public that way.

If I ever feel comfortable dressing up for Halloween, it will be as a female character.

But I understand that, for those not yet out, it can be an opportunity to relieve the dysphoria for a day with impunity.  If that is the case, go for it!

Great topic! Never been a huge fan of Halloween but I found myself thinking it would be fun this year, more than ever, because I'm not out at work yet.  Kathy, your point about making fun of who you are is something I hadn't considered.  Gave me pause. 

I'm coming out at work November 13th if everything goes to plan.  Think I'll wait. 

Quote from: KathyLauren on October 01, 2017, 06:44:09 AM
Once I started understanding myself, part of me wanted to take advantage of Halloween to dress in women's clothes.  But the bigger part of me shuddered in horror at the idea of making a joke of who I really was.  I didn't want anyone to ever get the idea that my preferred clothing was a costume for their entertainment.

This.

While I found it less stressful to shop for things at this time of year, I didn't want people to think it was just a costume.

One year I suggested to my wife I'd like to go to the company Halloween party as a woman. I just realized that that this was almost 30 years ago! I had dysphoria, though of course it wasn't called that then, but transitioning wasn't even on the table. I was cross-dressing almost daily, and she knew about it. She was worried for me that I'd end up feeling embarrassed if others made fun of me. We'd seen what happened the year before when a coworker wore a nurse costume with balloons for boobs that everyone was determined to pop. His bright red beard completed the ensemble. He was teased unmercifully at the party and for weeks afterward. Of course, that was what he was shooting for. I had wanted to be as authentic as possible - and back then it would have been a lot easier than now - but it's likely the teasing would have been much different, along with a lot of uncomfortable questions. I never ended up doing it. Probably for the best.

I did, however, use the holiday every year as an excuse to buy myself more clothes. I even went so far one year as asking the sales lady to help me pick out the right clothes because we were "all going to dress like a coworker we all liked." I still have that top, though it's 25 years out of date.

As for now, I completely agree with Kathy. In fact, I had to explain exactly that to my wife yesterday, in almost exactly the same words. Kathy, we think so much alike it's uncanny. I wish we lived closer together. I'd love to sit down over coffee and just talk.

Steph

I never had the nerve to dress female at Halloween before,  but I'm gonna vamp it up this year!

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Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 01, 2017, 08:08:59 AMKathy, we think so much alike it's uncanny. I wish we lived closer together. I'd love to sit down over coffee and just talk.

I'd like that.  If you're ever in the neighbourhood...

I'm going to use this as an opportunity to shop for a ladies costume.  I don't think I'll buy or go dressed yet, but it w I'll Ll help me with ideas on what might look flattering on me.  Ideas I've always wanted to try were equestrian OR jackie Kennedy.

Quote from: KathyLauren on October 01, 2017, 09:34:54 AM
I'd like that.  If you're ever in the neighbourhood...

Back atcha, if you decide to escape that cold and visit Florida! You'd like my neighborhood. The only thing it's missing is "U". [emoji12]

Quote from: Bari Jo on October 01, 2017, 09:48:53 AM
I've always wanted to try were equestrian OR jackie Kennedy.

Nice! [emoji1303]

I've never liked Halloween personally.  I don't need a costume since people think I'm wearing one anyway. I've had people compliment me on the white makeup and before I got tinted lenses people would comment on the "creepy" contact lenses that were my natural eyes. So, no Halloween doesn't thrill me. But my boyfriend wants us to go to a Halloween party we've already been invited to. I'm kind of at a loss for a costume. My brother suggested I use a costume that utilizes my natural skin color. His suggestions were,  raggedy Ann, a wraith queen from the stargate TV show (gee thanks Tyler)  leave out my tinted lenses and go as a demon (thanks again dear brother) and Harley Quinn.  Do you all have any more suggestions? I don't care about the costume using my skin color, I just don't want to look like a idiot or a spaz.

Julia, with your personality you could pull off Harley Quinn easily.  Plus the costume is flattering and you get to carry a giant hammer to hit people with.  That would be great for you.

Quote from: Bari Jo on October 01, 2017, 12:21:14 PM
Julia, with your personality you could pull off Harley Quinn easily.  Plus the costume is flattering and you get to carry a giant hammer to hit people with.  That would be great for you.

I really don't know anything about Harley Quinn and have only seen pictures of her. Hitting people with a giant hammer you say....this has possibilities. 😊

I remember having some great fun as a cheerleader when I was 18 I was definitely too drunk to be teased about. X

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I've just remembered my stag do night which also happened to fall on Halloween. My friends had me wear a great big Orange Tutu for the night,  I protested of course,  for about 2 seconds [emoji23]

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Julia, I don't know if this is what you are looking for but with your complexion, you might pull off a good Ghost Costume.

Quote from: Dena on October 01, 2017, 01:33:38 PM
Julia, I don't know if this is what you are looking for but with your complexion, you might pull off a good Ghost Costume.

Thank you Dena. I really like that costume.

Quote from: Bari Jo on October 01, 2017, 12:21:14 PM
Julia, with your personality you could pull off Harley Quinn easily.  Plus the costume is flattering and you get to carry a giant hammer to hit people with.  That would be great for you.

Bari Jo!  I just did some research on Harley Quinn. She isn't a super hero, she's a villain and she's really mean! What do you mean I have the personality to pull off her character!  LOL.

Quote from: Julia1996 on October 01, 2017, 01:43:22 PM
Bari Jo!  I just did some research on Harley Quinn. She isn't a super hero, she's a villain and she's really mean! What do you mean I have the personality to pull off her character!  LOL.

She's sarcastic, loving, and has a twisted sense of humor.  She is also incredibly perky, in a dark sort of way.  I almost bought a Harliquinn onesie today.  My favorite psychopath.

Quote from: Artesia on October 01, 2017, 01:47:44 PM
She's sarcastic, loving, and has a twisted sense of humor.  She is also incredibly perky, in a dark sort of way.  I almost bought a Harliquinn onesie today.  My favorite psychopath.

Exactly my thought too.  Everybody, and I mean everybody loves Harley Quinn, that perky twisted since of humor, laughs and everything, loves her Mister J.  I was thinking you could do the same voice for your Mister T.  Sorry, didn't mean to offend, Julia.  I thought you'd be flattered.  Harley Quinn is a favorite!