Quote from: SandraJane on August 23, 2011, 04:36:07 PM
Was the charity associated (not asking for the name of the Charity) with a particular denomination? It sounds like it has had a very positive effect in your life!

No particular denomination, although both my boss and I are Anglican (CofE) - she's more conservative than me, but despite that she's still been great about it

And yes, it has I'm well aware, however, that I've been incredibly lucky.

Quote from: Cindy Stephens on August 23, 2011, 06:48:53 PM
By the way is anyone else afraid of using any words to describe us?  You're going to offend someone when none is meant.  I wonder what cis people feel about it?

I think a lot of the problem trans people have with that comes from not wanting to attach themselves to the stigma.  If being trans meant you'd be treated like royalty, I doubt you'd hear any of us say, "Hey! Stop treating me so special!"

Kia Ora,

I'm broke...but I'm happy... and  with contentment....

Metta Zenda

Quote from: Julie Marie on August 25, 2011, 04:55:08 PM
I think a lot of the problem trans people have with that comes from not wanting to attach themselves to the stigma.  If being trans meant you'd be treated like royalty, I doubt you'd hear any of us say, "Hey! Stop treating me so special!"

More likey is that many others are of the same mindset I am- we don't carry the label of our medical condition.  We got treatment and moved on with life, with the condition no longer present.  It is no different than the fact that I don't describe myself to people with an initial introduction that includes discussion of an ACL issue...

Having previously had a transsexual condition is NOT an identity in the same manner as being a lesbian happens to be...

Quote from: Ann Onymous on August 26, 2011, 09:46:09 AM
More likey is that many others are of the same mindset I am- we don't carry the label of our medical condition.  We got treatment and moved on with life, with the condition no longer present.  It is no different than the fact that I don't describe myself to people with an initial introduction that includes discussion of an ACL issue...

Having previously had a transsexual condition is NOT an identity in the same manner as being a lesbian happens to be...

Just yesterday I told my friend (someone I've known for 18 years) that I'm ready to move on with my life.  That I won't deny my history, but it's just that: history.  At my next job, wherever that may be, I'm not coming out because I feel in my heart that I have nothing to come out with.  When I look in the mirror, all I see is a woman.  One who needs a certain surgery, but otherwise all woman.   Almost every trace of the old life is gone except for the people I love, who are invaluable to me.  I've taken what I wanted from my former identity and the rest can go out with the trash.

My friend said, "It sounds like you're just Zoë now" and gave me a big hug.  There's a reason he's been my friend for over half my life.   And he was right!  I'm just me now.  A unified person for the first time in my life.  It's a beautiful feeling.

It was just last week that my friend's girlfriend (also one of my best friends) told me that, since I've come out to everyone I know, all the people I meet in the future will never know me to be any different than how I am now.  I thought about it for a few minutes and it gave me a rather satisfied, glowy feeling.