Hey all thx for having me

[Valerie.Val]

@tgirlamg thanks so much for the encouragement, this means a lot <3

@Courtney G wow that's impressive, food for thought. My spouse is all aboard so no probs there.

It looks like I actually will have to transition after all.

[Dawn Kellie]

I'm to talk with my wife about transitioning. She has a very demanding job, every time I try and talk with her, her phone goes craz.

[Gina P]

  Welcome to Susan's Valerie. I also went through a life of shame and bias upbringing of 'boys don't do that!' Boys don't sit like that. Boys don't cry, and so on. Guilt and shame made me a very bitter man who hated himself and everyone else. Pretending to be normal and trying to fit in as a man never worked well for me. As many, I finally reached a tipping point. At 60 I started. One of the first things was, with hands shaking, nervous as all, I made a post on this site. Those first steps were filled with fear. As I did more and more it got easier. Now, being out full time almost 3 years, I can't imagine a life any other way.
  So good to have you here. There are a lot of great, caring people here. You have come to the right place.

[Valerie.Val]

@Dawn Kellie I hope you'll soon find a little peace to talk with her. Best of luck, girl!

@Gina P Thank you for the sweet welcome. Yes I'm so happy to have found this place, it is such an opposite of the toxic social media. It's so encouraging to hear that almost nobody regrets their decision, because I'm scared as hell.

What I also totally love is that I can *finally* talk to and be friends with other women without the danger of it being misinterpreted. In social situations it was expected that I talk with the other guys about football and other stuff that I really don't care a tiny bit about. I assume this is also an experience many of us share.

[Dawn Kellie]

@Dawn Kellie I hope you'll soon find a little peace to talk with her. Best of luck, girl!

@Gina P Thank you for the sweet welcome. Yes I'm so happy to have found this place, it is such an opposite of the toxic social media. It's so encouraging to hear that almost nobody regrets their decision, because I'm scared as hell.

What I also totally love is that I can *finally* talk to and be friends with other women without the danger of it being misinterpreted. In social situations it was expected that I talk with the other guys about football and other stuff that I really don't care a tiny bit about. I assume this is also an experience many of us share.

I've never been very "manly". I never could sit and watch a sports ball game drinking a beer and being one of the guys.
I've tried as it was expected and it never felt correct. I've always been the nerdy kind to begin with. I feel more comfortable being one of the girls. I've found so many people here i connect with.
SP has really opened my eyes.