My name is Rachel, and I've decided it's time to stop lurking and start talking. The only things I can tell you about myself with any certainty are that I'm a 24-year-old genetic male, and I'm terribly, terribly confused. I've been seeing a therapist since June, but we've only just begun to talk about gender. (I was originally seeing him for some unrelated issues about family and relationships.) I've been blessed with a supportive partner and a Mary Kay rep , both of whom are making my life much easier than it would be otherwise. And at my relatively young age, time is still on my side. I have a great deal of internal conflict, and the only thing I'm sure of is who I'm not. That is, the word "man" and my self-concept are in almost total contradiction, so much so that it's disappointing to even have to describe myself as a genetic male. Bleh. Anyway, it's great to be here, and I look forward to getting to know you all!

Hello Rachel,

Welcome to Susan's.  Since you have been lurking here for a while you probably know your way around, just be sure to read the rules.  I'm sure that you will meet many interesting people with interesting views here at Susans.  Now that you have broken the ice, be sure to take part in the discussions, as new points of view are always welcome and make this an interesting place to visit.

Chat later,

Steph

Welcome,
Look forward to hearing more from you in posts. Hearing more about your partner, this rep, your internal conflict, your therapists visits, and such. Welcome.

Hi Rachel,

Welcome to Susan's. Confused, eh? Well you've come to the right place to talk to good, friendly people who are no strangers to your situation. As you said you have been lurking for awhile. That's okay, sometimes it takes folks awhile to pluck up the courage to join in. I'm sure you've noticed that there are a lot of loving caring people here and it has given you hope. It's what we do here. Susan's is a very unique place for transgendered people. It is thanks to the tireless efforts and vision of Susan that such a place exists at all. So fix yourself a cup of tea, or other relaxing beverage, sit down, take your shoes off and set a spell.

Good Journey,

Cassie

Hello Rachel,

                Welcome to Susan's. I understand what you mean about how hard it is to describe yourself as a genitic man. I just say I've got a mans body, it seems lots easier that way. I'm glad you have support from your partner, it helps a lot.


beth

Hi Rachel,
welcome from a a fellow newbie. Sounds like you have a lot to deal with right now. I wish you and your partner all the best!
talk ot you later,

Alex

Welcome Rachel,

I think that you will find by joining in the discussions and sharing the experiences of others here you will find some clarity amongst the haze.

The experience of others helps us to understand more about ourselves and one thing that there is plenty of here its sharing.

Look forward to sharing with you.

Shelley

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It's very nice to have a place where I can talk about myself openly, especially since I'm so shy. I'm trying to get my partner Kyle on here as well, but she's too engrossed in catching up on Venus Envy for me to draw her attention elsewhere. I can't promise you'll be hearing much from me in the days and weeks to come, but as with any other situation where my confidence is lacking, the best solution is to dive right in!

I know I'm a bit late, but welcome =D ^ ^

It's always great to find a place you know you can openly talk and nobody will judge you wrongly for it.

I know the feeling of talking shyly about how you feel. I still am shy talking about it to family.

but here you let that fear go. ^ ^ hope all goes well for you =)

*hugs*

Alicia

Alright, so I have finally caught up on Venus Envy (thank you Rachel) and now have a chance to realize what my SO is doing.  I'm not quite sure where I belong.  I am an SO to a TG, however, the more my honey explores the more I realize that I am more FtM than I once thought (a rather dangerous thought for someone in a sorority...and yes occasionally they do let ppl that think in...something about raising the house GPA and tutoring everyone else and their mothers).

I don't want to steal Rachel (aka my honey)'s thunder, so I think I will post my own (rather special) introduction.  Just thought I should defend myself from the VE comment.     Happy post'n everybody.

Hi Rachel & Kyle, nice to meet you both ^^  I'm Carlie and I myself just joined yesterday   There are some nice people here from what I've read so far ^^  Hope I can hear more from either of ya soon =)