Hello,

Well, today I got my first dress!  So tomorrow, I am going to put it on and go shopping while wearing it to celebrate my truth that I am a woman.  I feel liberated from the lie that I have lived for 65 years of claiming the male gender.  I am now living the truth as a woman! I will come back here tomorrow after I get home and post about how it went!  I plan to go to Lima Ohio which is about 40 minutes south of where I currently reside to the Adam & Eve store; I have shopped there before so there will be at least someone there that knows me and about my transition.

So, I came out finally!  I went to Adam & Eve's in Lima and bought some hair, some perfume, and thigh high stockings! then I went to McDonald's for lunch then came home.  I am exhilerated and excited.  Here is a picture of me with hair and everything...

Alison!

Kudos on the courageous step forward!... To the bold go the victories!... Keep claiming the life that is yours!

Onward!

Ashley 💕

Alison!

Congrats! Every journey begins with a single step. The first one always is the most difficult. I am so happy for you.

And that hair. IT'S PINK! My favorite color. I love it! 

Quote from: tgirlamg on August 30, 2025, 02:52:14 PMKudos on the courageous step forward!... To the bold go the victories!... Keep claiming the life that is yours!

Thank you, Ashley, for the encouragement! I fully plan on continuing to claim my life!!

Quote from: Lori Dee on August 30, 2025, 03:15:58 PMCongrats! Every journey begins with a single step. The first one always is the most difficult. I am so happy for you.

And that hair. IT'S PINK! My favorite color. I love it! 

Thank you, Lori, for the encouragement!  If the first one is the hardest, the rest will be a breeze!!  I didn't find it hard at all; there were questions and anxiety that tried to harass me on the way down to the store but I wasn't about to deny Alison any more! She wanted and needed to be out and free!

Pink and purple are my favorite colors!

Alison, you are amazing! I'm excited for you and what you're doing, but I'm also thrilled that you're choosing to share it with all of us.

Many peoples lives, mine included, are enriched by what you give us. Thank you so much.

With love,
Pema

Thank you, Pema, I try to help where I can.  I am grateful that I am able to enrich people's lives. You are so very welcome!  Big Ohio hug here!!

Hi Alison

Huge congratulations on your first dress and on your day out in Lima.  Buying hair and perfume then grabbing lunch at McDonald's sounds joyful and free.  Your energy leaps off the page. 

Here are what your friends here on Susan's are saying about you.  I share the same sentiments:

•   Ashley celebrates your courage and says, "to the bold go the victories" and "Keep claiming the life that is yours."
•   Lori Dee says "the first step is the hardest" and she is so happy for you.
•   Pema says "you are amazing and that choosing to share your stories will enrich others," including hers.

Your replies show the same heart.  You plan to keep claiming your life.  You pushed past anxious thoughts on the drive because Alison deserved to be out and free.  You send a big Ohio hug to everyone.  That warmth is why people are rallying around you.  I also send a hug from Australia.

If you are heading out again soon here are some ideas that you may find helpful:

•   Take pictures so that you can remember those times.  You are lucky because in my time there were no digital cameras or smartphones and I do not have that photographic history.
•   Record each outing in a diary so that in the future you can look back and smile.

You did something brave and beautiful today.  We are cheering you on.  Looking forward to your next update when you feel ready.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@AlisonM

Quote from: Sarah B on Yesterday at 09:44:38 PMHi Alison

Huge congratulations on your first dress and on your day out in Lima.  Buying hair and perfume then grabbing lunch at McDonald's sounds joyful and free.  Your energy leaps off the page. 

Here are what your friends here on Susan's are saying about you.  I share the same sentiments:

•   Ashley celebrates your courage and says, "to the bold go the victories" and "Keep claiming the life that is yours."
•   Lori Dee says "the first step is the hardest" and she is so happy for you.
•   Pema says "you are amazing and that choosing to share your stories will enrich others," including hers.

Your replies show the same heart.  You plan to keep claiming your life.  You pushed past anxious thoughts on the drive because Alison deserved to be out and free.  You send a big Ohio hug to everyone.  That warmth is why people are rallying around you.  I also send a hug from Australia.

If you are heading out again soon here are some ideas that you may find helpful:

•   Take pictures so that you can remember those times.  You are lucky because in my time there were no digital cameras or smartphones and I do not have that photographic history.
•   Record each outing in a diary so that in the future you can look back and smile.

You did something brave and beautiful today.  We are cheering you on.  Looking forward to your next update when you feel ready.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@AlisonM

Thank you, Sarah, for the information.  I must confess that I have tears on my cheeks from the joy that comes from my heart.  I am just a woman who loves everyone and I find it difficult to believe that my simple act of coming out could inspire those around me.  But I do care about each of you and hope that my enthusiasm can spur us all on to claim the life that we deserve and that the world around us deserves to see and needs to respect.

I find that love begets love, so I love.  It is refreshing to see that love returned.  To those who would criticize and judge us, I say, give peace a chance and don't meddle in things that you don't understand; take the time to understand us that we are real people who really love.  The love that has been returned to me from this community is a thousand fold more than I give.

I love each and every one who belongs to this community, let's keep on keeping on and may our banner be the banner of love.  I am proud of all of us who face up to fear, realizing that the fear is propagated by those who don't understand my way of life and are fearful to try to understand me.  I will continue my enthusiasm and keep encouraging those in my circle of influence!