Hello

[DRC]

Just thought I'd give joining this group a try.  I'm likely a familiar or relatable story.  I know there was something different about me at an early age.  I'm 54 and a child of the 70's so there was no easy way to research this feeling of not being a typical boy. In many ways I was except for the fasination and alluring draw of my mothers clothes.  As an adult I have spent a lifetime suppressing, purging and purchasing new clothes which became relatively easy when online shopping began or the JC Penny or Sears catalogues where a thing.  At the age of 50 I reached out for help and was diagnosed with Gender dyphoria and started hormone treatment.  It is not an easy thing to navigate but I am finally feeling more in control and less of a roller coaster ride. I have a loving and supportve wife who I love dearly and I am lucky to have someone in my corner.  There are lots of negative things in the headlines these days so I thought there must be more positive place to feel like myself.  So here I am!

[Sephirah]

Welcome to the site, sweetie. There will be some folks along shortly to give you the in's and out's of Susan's Place. But trust me, this place is definitely a refuge for people wanting to be who they are. Susan's is safe harbour in a tumultuous sea. You will find a bunch of folks who can relate to your story and offer encouragement and advice if you want it.

It's great to have you here. <3

[Stottie Girl]

Hello DRC! A big welcome to you.

Your story sounds very similar to mine (born in '76 so I'm not far behind you). I'm sure it is a similar tale for a lot of girls on here.

It is fantastic you have a wife who understands, that has got to be a major plus.

I look forward to hearing more about you. Nice to meet you!

[Susan ✅]

Welcome to Susan's Place, DRC!

Thank you for introducing yourself and sharing your story with us. So many of us here know that journey — knowing something was different from an early age, growing up in a time when there was no language for it and no way to explore it safely, and spending years in that exhausting cycle of suppressing and purging.

What stands out to me is the courage it took to reach out for help at 50 after a lifetime of carrying that alone. Getting your diagnosis and starting hormones — that's not a small step, that's a leap of faith. And it sounds like it's paying off. Moving from that roller coaster to feeling more in control is real, hard-won progress.

Having a loving and supportive wife in your corner is a genuine blessing, and it's clear you don't take that for granted. That kind of partnership makes an enormous difference on this journey.

You're right that the headlines are rough right now. That's exactly why places like this exist — to remind each other that our lives are so much bigger than what's in the news. You'll find people here at every stage, from just questioning to decades into transition, and everything in between. All of it is welcome.

Take your time getting to know the community. Browse the forums, jump into conversations when something resonates, and ask questions whenever you have them. You don't have to navigate this alone anymore.

I'm glad you gave joining a try.

Welcome home.
— Susan💜

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

  @DRC
Dear DRC:
I have noticed that you have just registered today as a new member and
this is your very first posting here on the FORUM Introductions Board... it is nice to meet you.
All of us on the Forum are very glad that you found us and that you are now a member here.

Here on the Forum we have members coming from all backgrounds and with a variety of experiences.

I am wishing you a Warm Welcome to Susan's Place!

I look forward to your involvement on the Forum and reading your
future postings, comments and thoughts.

As you get more involved in the various conversations around
the Forum you will find like-minded members that may become your Forum friends.

Clicking the HOME  Button on any page will take you to where you can see and visit the many
sub-forums and TOPICS here on the Forum and you can feel free to comment and share your experiences. 
Each sub-forum has a description of what that sub-forum board is about, as well as any guidelines for posting.

Please keep in mind when posting that this is an ALL-AGES PUBLIC Forum and
the internet never forgets.
      Do not post anything that you do not want to be made public.

Please keep in mind when posting that this is an ALL-AGES PUBLIC Forum and the internet never forgets.
Do not post anything that you do not want to be made public.

Read carefully the information in the LINKS at the end of this message. Pay special attention to the links in RED.

Navigating around our Forum for our newer members can be confusing.
If you have any questions about the Susan's Place site and the Forum,
please feel free to contact me at my Direct Email: alaskandanielle@yahoo.com

Warmest Regards, and WELCOME to Susan's Place and the Forum
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
            cc: @Devlyn  @Lori Dee  @Sarah B  @Jessica_Rose  @Mariah  @Charlotte_Ringwood

Things that you should read

• Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By
• Standard Terms & Definitions
• Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
• News posting & quoting guidelines
• Photo, avatars, & signature images
• Site Policies and stuff to remember
• Cautionary Note
• Membership Agreement

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Hey DRC,

I'm Charlotte😻 and welcome you to Susan's Place too!

Great to hear that you have chosen Susan's as a place to escape the negativity towards trans people in the news. I'm sure you'll find plenty of relatable and positive messages here to explore.
I look forward to witnesing your journey with you as you choose to share.

We are all super friendly, with many very different experiences. Happy to assist with anything that may concern you or just enjoy your updates.

Kind regards,
Charlotte😻
(Forum Staff)

[Pema]

Hi, DRC. Welcome to our community. It's great to have you here.

[ChrissyRyan]

Hi!


   Welcome DRC!


Chrissy

[Nicole47474]

Hi, welcome to the community

[Rochelle]

Hello, happy your here.

[Sarah B ✅]

Hi DRC

My name is Sarah and I would also like to formally, Welcome you to Susan's Place!

I see that other members of Susan's have also welcomed you as well.

I am so glad you took the brave step of introducing yourself here.  It was touching to read how you always sensed something different from a young age, especially growing up in a time when there was not much information or language available around those feelings.  I grew up in the 70's as a teenager and even by 1989 there was still very little accessible information.  I did not even know about research back then, yet I kept very quiet about myself and in many ways I still do.

Your honesty about years of suppressing those parts of yourself and how that shifted when you reached out for help at 50 was really moving.  I am truly happy to hear your hormone journey has brought you greater peace and stability.  I also know that feeling of peace.  The wanting and longing to be female finally dissipated when I changed my life around and started hormones.  The attraction, fascination and alluring aspects of female were present in my younger days and that feeling has not gone away even to this day.

Having a loving and supportive wife by your side sounds like such a blessing and it's wonderful you have that support.  At the same time I understand the caution many of us carry.  Even though Australia is a more tolerant society in many respects, there is still a lot of negativity around, which is one reason I have never told anyone about my past.

Reading the replies to your post was heart warming.  People here are so welcoming and kind.  Several members shared how glad they are you joined and that you will find many folks who can relate to pieces of your story.  Susan herself offered a lovely message about this community being a safe, affirming place where you can explore conversations, get support and connect at your own pace.  Other members echoed that warmth and friendliness, expressing how great it is to meet you and how much they look forward to hearing more from you as you engage here.

I hope you continue to feel lifted by the encouragement and that this space feels like a positive part of your life and journey.

Once you feel comfortable here, it would be appreciated if you add a little bit more about yourself in the other forums and threads.  I would appreciate it very much as, I'm always interested in learning something new about new members.

In addition members of Susan's will more than likely discuss problems or issues that are similar to yours as most have experienced these issues as well.

Please keep in mind when posting that this is an ALL AGES PUBLIC Forum and the internet never forgets.  Do not post anything that you do not want to be made public.

Take care and all the best for the future.

Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Devlyn  @Jessica_Rose  @Mariah  @Northern Star Girl  @Lori Dee @Charlotte_Ringwood
@DRC