Hi all,

i am a former online chat member of Wingspan out of Tucson, AZ.  A little about me.  I was born female on June 25th,1968.  I am still female and will remain so.  My intentions for being involved with this site are hard to explain so I will start by giving a brief synopsis of my life.

I was born female and reamain so.  I am one of two children born to a woman who hates men so much that she married a gay man she knew in college so he could have the "white picket fence" family for his University Professor career while pleasing her mother by getting married.  He was flamboyantly gay and was in the right field to be unique.  He was a professor of Theatre History and Set Design.  My mother is a brilliant, now retired, costume designer and professor as well.  They were good parents but so caught up in their lives that we girls were left to fend for ourselves.  My father died when I was 11 and thus my life as my mothers confidant started.  I will forever be her caregiver and love her unconditionally.  I do not hold her choices against her and feel that my life experience, and exposure to all ranges of people, has made me the person I am today. 

I married a man that I did not love at 21 because I got pregnant.  I was married to him for 18 years, have two beautiful daughters and will be divorced within a few months.  My life is starting over for me.  My oldest is off to college, my youngest is going to live with her dad as we have nothing in common, I have to sell my house and have lost my job in the field I am trained in. 

Why this is relevent?  I am starting school in the fall and have chosen a career path that I have distinct passion for and empathy for the people I will be working with.  I have chosen Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered and Bisexual studies with a Sociology emphasis.  My goal is to work in a surgicenter that focuses on sexual reassignment surgery from beginning to end.  I would very much like to be involved in the counseling that is required to make this choice.  I feel that everyone is born with how they really are, whether it is male or female, outward appearance is not necessarily the first definitive sign.  I have spent my life being annoyed with ignorant people that make stupid comments, correcting my kids ( and sometimes my clients with combs) when they describe a bad situation as being "gay" and have always supported a persons right to love the person they love no matter what sex, race or religion they are.  I do not see those things and wish that someday more people will be like that. 

In short, I am here because I have something to offer.  I want to contribute in any way I can.  I hope that my open mindedness and honesty will be of use in any way it can be. 

Thanks so much for reading and I look forward to speaking with anyone that cares to chat.

Nannette

Welcome, Nannette,

Although yours is a different kind of story, it is full of the opportunity for heartache and personal growth that many here face.  I think you will fit right in.     

I'm sure you will meet some transactivists here who will be happy to converse with you on such subjects and follow your new educational endeavor with great interest.

I've been active in transadvocacy and transactivism since I transitioned 10 years ago, much to my husband's dismay, at times.  I've slowed down in my 70s but am still involved with a few boards and committees to some extent.

Do check out our other resources here:  Chat, wiki, over 5000 links, and more.

Robyn

Wow, that's great!

I hope you will find ways to contribute to the community, and I think it's a great approach you've taken to it. I like your attitude and I, too, hope that we will be rid of ignorance and bigotry some day. Or at least keep it to ourselves.

Anyway, welcome Nanette! Wonderful to have you here!


~Moi

Way kewl!!! Welcome indeed Nanette!!!

How wonderful!! So glad there are people like you out there, makes me feel so much more positive. Thank you for your kind words and warm heart. I look forward to more of your posts. Have a good day!! 

Hey Nannette! Glad to have you here.

Your story touched and saddened me - so many lives intertwined that just ... didn't seem to find happiness. I hope the direction you have chosen serves you as nuch as the people you serve, because you deserve it dear-heart. You sound like an amazingly compassionate and empathetic person, and I for one am glad to welcome you to this forum.

I hope you will gain as much from us as you are offering. Thank you.

~Simone.

Hi, Nanette. I look forward to your contributions. Wecome to the family.

Gennee

Hello Nanette and welcome to Susan's!

Thank you so much for introducing yourself.  Please take a few moments to get familiar with all the boards of the site, review the site rules before posting, and take advantage of our many resources such as the wiki, chat, and the links listed at the main page.  We look forward to your future posts and participation.  Enjoy your stay

tink

Hello Nanette ! wow! that was a cool story. Just wanted to send you sum positive energy! Hugs
Myanne

Welcome Nanette to Susans! Looking forward to reading your posts!