Hello. I am Dryad, though I go by another name on most forums I visit.
Little nervous, me. Very much so. Let me.. Well, this is an introduction-section..

I'm male. Most definately. Mostly, that is. I'm naturally strong enough, have a nice crop of facial hair, am mostly sexually interested in females...
I'm also twenty three years old.
I started shaving my facial hairs just before I was twelve, but stopped at fourteen, for vanity reasons. Now I have a goatee and moustache, because.. Well, I'm but-ugly without.
But I also feel female. It's not like I've got two sides of me; a male and female half, but I feel both all the time. Constantly. Usually, I simply ignore anything feminine in me, because.. Well, everyone may agree that it's usually frowned upon. So with great relief, I got myself a World of Warcraft account one and a half years ago, and.. Played as a female character. With success, I might add, since I'm quite a flirt. 
For those who do not know what World of Warcraft is: It's an online game where thousands of people play their character; a role playing game. Upon creating a character, you can choose species (Anthropomorphs, fantasy-related) and gender, as well as looks. So.. Most of my characters are female. And when playing them, I can.. Well, let go; express my femininity.
I've pondered about cross-dressing, but.. Well, I allready have a beard for vanity reasons, so I think that says it all. However, I have made sketches of dresses designed for males. Very feminine clothing, but with a very masculine look...

Anyway; I've never been really much at home with this kind of thing; introductions and such. It's just that.. Well, I've been reading up on here for a few days, and thought I'd ought to join. perhaps join in on some conversations...
And learn to feel more comfortable with myself.

Welcome, friend! Look, ask questions. I have always been at home among the fey folk!

Hello Dryad and welcome to Susan's!

Thank you for your introduction.  I'm sure you'll feel at home here in no time.  Please take a second to explore all the forums of the site, get familiar with the site rules and take advantage of our many resources such as the wiki, chatroom, and reference library.  We look forward to your future posts and participation.  Enjoy your stay!

tinkerbell

Thanks! *goes searching for the rules*

Welcome Dryad.  Lots of room for everyone here at Susan's.  As you mentioned, join in on the conversations on the forums and just have fun.

Bev

Welcome, Dryad!

So glad you made it here.  I know it seems like your story is unique, but there are many on here who can identify with what you are going through.  Participate and enjoy!

Kristi

Greetings and welcome.

Heavens, World of Warcraft.  What a glorious crutch it was for me.

Before WoW, it was a host of other games, RP chat rooms, forums and internet fantasies.  I was always female, of course.  Back then it was the only way for me to really feel happy.

Now, in WoW's defense, I will say it wasn't just a crutch, it was also a pretty fun game.  I digress, though.

This site is useful.  Use it.  Talk to people.  Ask hard questions, and above all, don't be afraid.  You'd be bloody surprised at just how much others can relate.

I shudder to think I had a beard for 'vanity reasons' once as well.  Ugh.  Disgusting.  Awful.  Barf.

You remind me of me, though, from ages past.  Keep in touch.

Cute, name too.  Dryad.

~ Blair

Well..
I must admit I think many men would do well to have a beard.. I mean; I've seen the results of some men shaving it off because of 'hygiene.' (Never heard of shampoo and regular showers/baths?) They look terrible.
A beard on a man gives some sort of edge. Something I actually like to see on most men. However, I must agree that it's not for every man. (I've seen some examples of men with beards that simply shouts: 'Wrong!')

Anyway, thanks for the welcome! And yeah, WoW is a pretty fun game, aswell. In itself.

Quote from: Dryad on February 22, 2007, 11:12:36 AM

I'm male. Most definately. Mostly, that is. I'm naturally strong enough, have a nice crop of facial hair, am mostly sexually interested in females...
But I also feel female. It's not like I've got two sides of me; a male and female half, but I feel both all the time...
I can.. Well, let go; express my femininity...
I've pondered about cross-dressing, but..
Anyway; I've never been really much at home with this kind of thing; introductions and such. It's just that.. Well, I've been reading up on here for a few days, and thought I'd ought to join. perhaps join in on some conversations...
And learn to feel more comfortable with myself.

Céad mille fáilte. Welcome Dryad.

Stick around and you will see that there is a wide range of ways for "TG" people to accomodate their feminine or masculine side. From "MtF" "TSs" who wants to be completely feminine and get rid of any sign of masculinity that feels alien to them, through "She-males", "TVs" and "CDs", to "FtM" "TSs" who want to be totally male in every way.

So you enjoy both your feminine and masculine sides? Great! Why should they be in competition or opposition? They can be complementary. So whatever way you find to accomodate both of them that make you happy is fine.

Why would you have to accept the limitation imposed by the dominant culture regarding gender roles and caracteristics? You are a unique and complex human-being and no label can ever encompass the full aspects of your own true personality.

In some other centuries and places some men wore wigs, silk stockings, lacy shirts, embroided coats or jackets and a goaty too! just think of the three mousquetaires... or look at portraits of the of the XVII^th,XVIII^th and XIX^th centuries. To these days, in the middle east and some parts of Asia, men can still be seen wearing long silk robes. As for in the Vatican... or the House of Lords...

As you can see from the pic of my alter-ego in the nature gallery, sometimes Yves wears a moustache (great to suck the creamy head from at the end of a good pint of the black stuff  and ,so I am told, for kissing too) while Maebh does'nt. This is my choice, I have learnt to accomodate both of them in this way and I am happy with it.

n-éiri do bhóthar leat. Enjoy the journey. Hopefully here at Susan's you will get not only informations but also the support, help and confidence to find your own path

L&R
Maebh

PS: a few acronisms and labels:  TG: Transgender, TS: Transexual (can be: in transition, pre-op or post-op),  MtF: Male to Female, She-male: also known as "Chick with a DicK"  , TV: Transvestite, CD: Cross Dresser, MtF: Female to Male.

Ooh, aye. The black stuff. Yah, hav'tae say I'm very masculine aboot tha'. 
Guinness simply is the best beer there is.

Anyway; thanks for the welcome. And an Irish thousand times welcome, too! *bows* I wish my Irish was better so's I could return the favor.