" Bye-Bye Perry ...... and ...... Meet Jackie ! "
Although " Jackie " has been around forever , She " officially " faced the world in October /06.
I'm a pre-op mtf trannsexual on hrt and living full time as a female since above date. "Jackie " is one of my legal names.
I'm what I call middle aged and waited for " YEARS " before I made this decision. Family was a factor and so on. I might add I spoke to counsellors - first on phone , then face to face - for a couple of years prior.
I was an only child an my Dad died when I was 8 and became the " Man of the House " at an early age - quit school and started working when I was 15 and " Appeared to be very much a manly man " while trying to fight off " Jackie " !
As time goes on , my g/parents passed away first and then my mother in 1999. I am not married and have no kids as well.
No immediate family here at all . I was-am self employed as well , which made things easier for me to " come out ".
I also kind of stayed away from close friends for a couple of years prior as I was pretty much living full time as a female - but behind closed doors. I had long hair and had feminized a lot and would dress gender neutral - pony tail , no heavy m/up etc. when going out - always female attire tho ! Even now , I'm a casual dress person , usually wear jeans (not grubby !) , nice tops - sweaters and some bling and almost always heels - usually boots ! Friends were noticing , but it was a gradual transition. I might add that I had a full beard for years prior ! lol
But ...... I was still hiding ! Enough was enough !!
I had-have a g/friend and told her first - she handled it well ! On a lighter note , she commented something like " Now I know why you never complained about going shopping with me ( clothes, shoes etc. ) and have so much patience ! " lol
She was the first to see me ( other than counsellor ) as " Jackie " . We still have an adult relationship , but treats me as a
" G/Friend " as well. She talks to me differently now - all good !
Next I told - showed some close friends the real me - there was a little party at a buddy's house and Jackie walked in - just casual attire but , hair - nails - m/up - heels and all ! - ( along with a bunch of booze ) !!
Some didn't recognize me ! lol - thought it was a joke at first , then came the questions and answers - it was a very long day - night but " Most " came to realize that it was " Still Me " and that didn't - or will never change !
From that day the word got around and I shocked a lot of people in the process ! Most of what I call close friends are still with me , but I did loose some , but thats to be expected .
I believe one problem is that a lot of people out there associate this with being " Gay " ( I have no problem with gays ) , and then think your going to hit on them and so-on .
I personally don't think you have to act like a sissy to be a female ! I still turn a wrench - weld - build - fix anything I have to !
( I hate ruining my nails tho ! ) lol
I believe a person should still be themselves and once others see that " YOU " may look different , it's still YOU deep down !
In my case most accepted " ME " !
This is a very abbreviated version and I could go on forever , but I have to end this somewhere !
I should write a Book !!
Just remember , its a long journey that has a lot of bumps in the road ! Not Easy !!
Good Luck to All !
Jackie