I found Susan's at my darkest hour. I was doubting well.. just about everything. I found the courage to deal with the underlying issues that have caused me problems for decades. I think its an awesome resource to have, and I'm sure its encouraged many people who may not have had the courage to look inside and let out the real person. If some people seem to be negative its a reflection on the fact that being trans and accepting the need to transition is one of the hardest things you could every do.

Quote from: Julia1996 on March 13, 2018, 01:17:57 PM
I've been a member here for almost a year. I've found this site extremely helpful. I've only had one regular member who really dislikes me here.  There are probably more but they don't show it. Lol. Before I found this site I had joined transgenderdate.com. I wasn't looking for dates but that site does have a blog section where members discuss trans issues.  I have to say that that site is cut throat! There is no moderation and those women regularly attack and misgender each other as well as attack and make fun of the less passable members. If my dad hadn't made me delete my account on there I would have anyway. I know the people here often find the moderation really strict , and I do myself at times, but I would rather have strict moderation than none. People here do clash and squabble but put any people in a group and that's going to happen. We all have our own opinions and views about things.  When I first joined I noticed a substantial age difference and I wondered if I would be especially welcome here.  But I've met a lot of people here I consider friends.

You've mentioned before that you think I dislike you. I don't. It takes a lot to make me not like someone, even if they call me a man. 

I  think what you are interpreting as dislike is simply being called out on something you said. I  think you're young and lack experience in life, but I  don't dislike you. I  think you put your foot in your mouth sometimes, but I don't dislike you. I  think you make fun of other people too much when you should know better,  but I don't dislike you.

When I comment, it's to help you, others, and myself with self improvement. 

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on March 13, 2018, 05:32:42 PM
You've mentioned before that you think I dislike you. I don't. It takes a lot to make me not like someone, even if they call me a man. 

I  think what you are interpreting as dislike is simply being called out on something you said. I  think you're young and lack experience in life, but I  don't dislike you. I  think you put your foot in your mouth sometimes, but I don't dislike you. I  think you make fun of other people too much when you should know better,  but I don't dislike you.

When I comment, it's to help you, others, and myself with self improvement. 

Hugs, Devlyn

I believe the Devyl is telling the truth and doesn't forget anything - case in mind, I slipped up and used two very dirty words with put together, "Crystal Light" and the Devyl hasn't spoken to me since.

And I'm truly sure that there's no one here that dislikes you.  How could they?  You're sweet, comical, and smart.  That and the fact that you can shoot lasers out of your eyes would make sure no one would even think of not liking you!

I like it here. I'm usually trying to kill time especially when I can't sleep- even after taking my progesterone. Especially after taking my hrt! I just feel my transness draws me here every time [emoji4]

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Quote from: Allison S on March 14, 2018, 12:02:42 AM
I like it here. I'm usually trying to kill time especially when I can't sleep- even after taking my progesterone. Especially after taking my hrt! I just feel my transness draws me here every time [emoji4]

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Regarding the OP; I have no idea of the numbers, but I'm guessing that traffic and active member volumes on Susan's have increased heavily in the last 5 years?
Contentious posts always draw more attention,  so it may just be damn statistics at play.
I think also that members expectations have changed, not of the forum,  but in life,  and we bring that attitude (not a bad one imo) here.
Just my feelings on the matter [emoji4]

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Quote from: Allison S on March 14, 2018, 12:02:42 AM
I like it here. I'm usually trying to kill time especially when I can't sleep- even after taking my progesterone. Especially after taking my hrt! I just feel my transness draws me here every time [emoji4]

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Haha me too!
Just being on here helps me confirm in my mind that I AM trans and I AM a girl and not just utterly messed up.

Being on here helped me a lot with that too. I hadn't been around transpeople or ever spoken to another trans girl and I felt like I was the only one who felt this way. Of course I knew about other trans people from the media but little enough that I thought being trans was extremely rare. After joining I found out its not that rare after all and that other trans women have the same worries and problems I do. That was extremely helpful for me.

Being trans has received a lot more attention in recent years, than it had when this forum started. It makes sense then that a whole variety of new members have arrived, and more variety means there will be posts looking for or testing boundaries, as well.

I've had only one incident with someone who put my boundaries to the test and I had to ask them to be more considerate, but other than that all the posts here (that I was participating in) have been friendly, even the ones discussing some difficult topics.

I assume this is also due to the activities of the moderators. However I agree with one of the previous posts, where it said that social media platforms like Facebook are far more unpleasant. I've seen many discussions there where rational judgement was just absent.

If I had to pick, I'd pick this site over any social media platform any day.

I've been on here about 3 yrs but lurked before that. I recently took about a month off for no particular reason, other than priorities. This place has helped me as it has so many others. 95% of the interactions have been wonderful.

I do think that society is becoming more tribal and that leads many to more extreme reactions in general. Social media, meant to bring us together has done that but also further divided us. Let's face it there are forces at work in this world that promote and benefit from divisiveness.

And no one wanted to experience seeing something grow?

Quote from: RobynD on March 14, 2018, 11:14:50 AM
I do think that society is becoming more tribal and that leads many to more extreme reactions in general. Social media, meant to bring us together has done that but also further divided us.

This has been a direct benefit to us. We can find others like ourselves and have our own community or tribe. Unfortunately bringing together some elements of society causes problems for everyone else.

I guess I've been here for 5 years now.  Much of the time Susan's is my goto when I'm struggling with the world.  I've bumped into the moderators a few times but I understand the restraint.  As others have said compared to the rest of the Internet's vitriol and hate, Susan's is nirvana.

One thing I notice every once and a while when I stumble on an old thread is that their did seem to be less understanding of differences between transgender people back then.

As for now, sure there's the odd dust up but I wouldn't say it's any worse now.  I think these things ebb and flow but for most part don't last too long.  The moderators do an amazing job.

Take care all,
Paige