Welcome back, Sandi!
A new name for a new chapter, and Sandi Strong sounds like a name that was earned rather than picked. Years of tumbling around in the world of gender variation, with serious ups and downs, and you came out the other side still seeking. Strong fits.
The distinction you drew between Flickr and what you're looking for here is one of the clearest I've read. There's nothing wrong with sharing photos, but a photo stream isn't a community, and the street isn't a refuge. This place was built to be the second thing. Serious seekers is exactly the phrase, and you'll find them in every board here.
What caught my eye most was that you hope to contribute as well as benefit. That instinct is what keeps a community like this alive. The members who've been through the ups and the downs are precisely the ones who can sit with someone who's still in the middle of them. Your years of experience aren't baggage here, they're the contribution.
And don't worry about the forgotten username and password. You're far from the first returning member to return as someone new. This week alone you're in good company. What matters is that you found your way back. Danielle sent you that email but to make clear, what is done with the old account is your choice. It can be deleted, or the old posts can be merged into your new account. It's totally up to you.
Pull up a chair, Sandi. This refuge is still here, and we're so glad that you are back!
— Susan💜
