I'm not sure if this belongs in this section or in the therapy section, but here goes.
I was talking to my therapist on my last visit how I think my next step on the journey was to make an XX female outside of my social group. This would let me ease into and feel more comfortable about transitioning before starting hormones and coming out to those close to me. Also I think having an XX female friend (I have none currently that I feel comfortable coming out to) would be advantageous in that I can gain some experience and advice in things like makeup, clothes, socializing with people.. etc before getting RLE, thus minimizing embarassment and research time.
Anyways, my therapist and I came up with an idea. He knows a girl that is "accepting" of my issue and works as a makeup artist at a beauty salon. I called her and set up an appointment, and over the phone she seems really excited to meet me and said it would be fun doing my face. Another positive, she said they have a secluded area where nobody would see me while we did our thing and we could schedule it on a day when the salon would be closed. That would be not this coming Monday, but the next.
I guess what I'm getting at is: I'm really hoping this doesn't just turn into a client-like thing where I pay $60 or so for a facial and that's it. My therapist seems to be insistant (not that I disagree) that I form a supportive social group before starting hormones. I think this is an excellent opportunity to make a group of friends that I can feel safe about being myself around before coming out to those I know. However, I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to express that to the lady I will be seeing next Monday. The therapist says she is around my age, and judging by the tone of her voice, she seems really excited to meet me. Any advice (beyond the typical "don't sweat it, be yourself" advice) would be great. Has anybody else taken this tact? If so, was it a positive thing?
Oh, and for the record, my legal name was never exchanged so as to not break the confidentiality rule. My therapist did tell me that he would explain to her that I am transgendered and I'm assuming he explained exactly what that was, if she didn't know already.
