I figured I'd get a hello written out as I've been lurking for a little while and said heck, why not, the whole point of me signing up was to start getting involved in more trans spaces. So.. yeah, here I am. I'm honestly surprised I'd never heard of this place before, as in my teen years I did go looking for these sorts of places, but it's lovely to find such a place even a bit late.
I'm Valerie, a 20 year old MTF, one of the younger folk as far as I've seen in all these introductions - which, has honestly been lovely and inspiring seeing so many older trans folk proudly living out, as in my circles I haven't really known any trans or NB folk over the age of 30 - but seeing so many lovely people starting transition, in transition and firmly looking beautiful and handsome later in years has really made me a lot more hopeful and less unsure how things would go in my later years. I live in south-west London, in England, though I don't plan to stay here for more than a couple more years if all things go well. I'm in a polyamorous relationship with two lovely people from the US, one man I've known for about half my life and has supported me and been patient with all my quirks and issues for far more than I really deserve, and one nonbinary person I met through him that I've known for around three or four years so far who is just as lovely and supportive. My end plan is to migrate to the US and move in permanently with them if possible, despite my apprehensions about the country.
I've suspected myself to be transgender since around 11 - and was probably just unaware before that with all my quirks considered, but only came out around 16-17 as chronic health issues made me prioritise my health first, before I said heck it, I don't want to end up in my 20s and still not on hormones. I only got on those hormones around a year or so ago though as it took a good while to get through the healthcare system, and initially couldnt get help through the adolescent service as apparently it was too late for them to prescribe anything - memorys fuzzy on that one, but eventually I was accepted at the Northhampton gender identity clinic which is a good two hours drive, but worth it for the comparative waiting list to Charing Cross. (A couple months for Northhampton, a couple years for Charing. I would still be waiting today, likely, if I went there!) So, now happily on hormones, had my name officially changed a good two years ago and have been living in role fully since 17, though privately I've been having people call me Valerie, Val (and also Remi in my earlier years) since goodness knows when.
Until now, I haven't really gotten involved in too many trans spaces and communities, as health issues and mental health issues prevented me, though I've been doing better recently and hence decided to start reaching out to new places. I still physically cant really attend anything of the sort, but this hopefully will be a nice start!
