With the golden kind at least we would all be well fed.... well so long as they have decent salad for our veggie eaters

Quote from: Sheila R on September 13, 2010, 05:44:24 PM
What a completely fascinating thread - I send hugs to all of you.  My daughter Elizabeth, now Eli, has identified as male all her adult life and though I still see a beautiful woman in him, he passes easily.  Whenever he comes home, friends from the "olden days" assume he's his twin brother, Daniel!  I'm constantly amazed that he passes so well.  He STILL has ID that says Elizabeth, however, and I sometimes think is amused by confounding people at airports, etc., car rental agencies, etc.  He used to get really annoyed if family members inadvertently lapsed and used the wrong pronouns, and REALLY freaked if someone addressed him as "Liz" in front of a crowd (like his neighbours in New York) who never even considered him anything other than male!  But, since he's been in a relationship for a while with a level headed girl, he seems more relaxed with everything and everyone.  "Whatever" seems to be his attitude.  "I'll be whatever you want me to be - s'OK!" 
Still, we (family) work really hard at trying to see him as Eli and not "slipping".  I sometimes think that allowing people to think he's his twin is a way of avoiding the whole matter of explaining things.  I'm frankly hoping that one day he'll tackle the topic head on.  I've practised telling my own peers that I have a transgendered child getting everything from no reaction whatsoever to being asked what' it's like to have an "abomination" as progeny.  Gawd.  Once in a while, someone is curious enough to ask intelligent questions, but by and large - it's not a topic with which many are comfortable.  But, anyway - as far as this thread goes - Eli has always felt like a boy, though - he tells me - didn't always have the vocal skills to explain.  He's still emerging. Defintely a lot happier without boobs, but not apparently concerned about further reassignment surgery.  I suspect that eventually he'll change his name legally because one he goes to work, it will makre more sense.  However, there's always the possibility he'll continue to enjoy confounding people!  And, on that topic - I think I'll start another thread discussing "exhibitionistic behavior"!

Man, I got a bit of a fright reading that since that's my birth name and chosen name!  I hope my mum will be as supportive as you.

Quote from: Arch on September 14, 2010, 12:46:20 AM
Oh, dear. Maybe I've been coming across as more bristly than I realize. I apologize. I like good, healthy debate, and you can't really have that if everyone agrees.

We're all a little different. No two transsexuals are alike. Thank heaven. What would the trans world be like with hundreds of Arches running around? >>>Shudder<<<

(No, not the golden kind.)

No worries

Sheila, I agree that Eli is super lucky to have you. I also have a twin, but she's my sister. So no accidental passing as her! 

Cowboi, I thought your post made complete sense. Thank you for your post. I don't really think that figuring out my gender identity is the issue, I guess I'm more trying to figure out what to do about it now that I know I'm male. Can I live without transitioning? I dunno. I'm not making much sense right now. I guess you are all right and I just need to give it time! Thanks again for all the replies!!

Quote from: konman on September 14, 2010, 06:17:54 PM
Cowboi, I thought your post made complete sense. Thank you for your post. I don't really think that figuring out my gender identity is the issue, I guess I'm more trying to figure out what to do about it now that I know I'm male. Can I live without transitioning? I dunno. I'm not making much sense right now. I guess you are all right and I just need to give it time! Thanks again for all the replies!!

It is definitely an issue of time. For me I always thought transitioning physically was unnecessary, I spent 6 years living as male before I finally chose to pursue HRT and SRS. When the decision was made it was pretty sudden, like one day I just realized that I did want to and had been hiding behind the idea I was okay without doing it for other people. I had a lot of the same concerns, how it would change my relationship with my family and friends, who would be able to love me for me.... that kind of stuff. In the end it's an answer we find for ourselves. After coming as far as I have (3 years on T and hopefully less than 2 more before my top surgery) I realize that even if I had been able to live without transitioning I am definitely happier in life now that I am transitioning, if that makes sense. I guess what I'm saying is that I could have been happy either way, but I'm happiest this way