Quote from: shouldaknownbetter on August 20, 2012, 03:43:27 PM
Thanks for all the warm welcomes. A basic overview of my story is that I'm cisfemale (forgive terminology, it seems to change constantly and I'm trying to do a quick response via phone so I haven't looked at the links yet), grew up as a tomboy and came out as a lesbian at a very young age. Somewhere between the being teased and told I was a boy as a child and also a few years of molestation I decided being a boy was just more safe comfortable and more of how I saw myself. At 15 I made the switch to identifying and living as male. I took testosterone for a couple of years and went through therapy. Dated both a transman and a transwoman in long term relationships and learned a lot about my own identity through the experiences. I started identifying as bisexual first. Eventually I saw how little emotionally and mentally I really had in common with their experiences as transsexuals, I hate to say it but I learned I wasn't a true transsexual, I emphathized but simply didn't fit. Returned to therapy, stopped hormones and found that somewhere along the way I'd come in touch with my own femininity and grown into a woman.I'm very comfortable with myself and with my gender and sexuality thanks to the experience. I've kept my interest and understanding of the community and also found a deep soft spot for transmen romantically. Hence here I am now on the outside of a community I was once inside and trying to find my footing as an activist, friend and hopefully someday again as a significant other 
I was literally shutting down my computer, and running out the door, for a late appointment, when I saw your post.
First, you are
not outside of the community! No one is, who has an understanding of, or experience with, it.
There is no shame or stigma at re-assessing your direction and halting, or even reversing, a transition. That is part of what the RLE is about, and why some people, like me, sit in the gender non-binary.
So, yes, you are a friend, and we are happy to have you here.
I would say more, but I am 20 minutes late as it is. I am sure we will see more of you.
