"Thoughts on Transitioning"

I have been somewhat observing those who have transitioned and I believe the real key to a successful transition is to be happy with yourself. I know that sounds a bit simplistic but it really seems to play out.

In transitioning, the big thing to decide is to try the stealth route or the open Transpeep route. Both sides have their pros and cons. I believe that the stealth route is for those uncomfortable with being Trans and others knowing about it. They may slide into life unnoticed but they are always in fear of being outed. As long as they maintain their stealth they might enjoy life to the fullest as their true gender but from all the stealthies that I know I don't really see a lot of happiness. I'm sure that there are some but just the huge fear of being outed at any time must be awful. I remember that feeling when I was in my Crossdressing closet. You are forever and always on guard...Not a particularly settling way to live.

The out Transperson, on the other hand, has nothing to hide, nothing to be fearful of really. Yes, they may be looked upon as more Genderqueer than Trans but they get to live and be who they are. Now that is incredibly awesome!!! Plus the fact that no one can hold being Trans against them! Bonus!

But not all out Transpeeps are happy. I have also observed much sadness and other things in the Trans of the out world. But then again, most of these people may have been sad in the first place. It seem to my observation that the happy out Transpeeps are the ones who were happy souls from the beginning. Hey, how do these people feel so happy anyway?

Some of them have always had a happy life, full of love and respect so they just continue on that avenue. Most of those who have had happy lives also seem to have better than average people skills. They can deal with people a bit better than most. For instance, when a non Trans refers to one of us as our natal gender what happens? I have seen some people have over the top fits about this while others just handle it tres cool. Don't make a big deal, just ignore or politely correct is the correct answer. Breaking down and losing it with anger or crying are not good answers and won't garner any sympathy. Trust me.

I have often been accused of not feeling sympathy for and not consoling the offended Transperson who gender has just been challenged but I firmly believe, it is what it is and the sooner that we realize and accept this, the better that we will be. I'm truly sorry but this is part of the deal when you are Trans. We asTranspeeps are really all Genderqueer and that's how most people will probably see us. We have to deal with their responses and their reactions in the best way that we can. If we can do this without bad drama then we just may come out of this fairly well. Really, that's the way it is, please think about it.

So I am an advocate of being an out Transperson and being happy and having people skills. That recipe has been working for me and I see it work very well for many others. It is what it is and we are who we are and that's the way that it so so let's just deal with it and enjoy our lives as our true selves!

I just watched a Quentin Crisp offering on LOGO this afternoon and I have a deep respect for Quentin after seeing this piece about him. His message was of the "Live as you are and it is what it is!" school of thought. I have always had that school of thought so I immediately attached and ID'd myself to him. If you get a chance to see it, please check it out! Btw, did you know that Sting did a song "Englishman in New York" which was written about Quentin after Sting visited him?

Yes, Sting is tres hot and is a wonderful entertainer but lets get back to my post!

I am interested in your thoughts about successful transitioning, what it means, what it is, how to do it., and what is considered successful? Please let me know your thoughts.

I have been somewhat observing those who have transitioned and I believe the real key to a successful transition is to be happy with yourself. I know that sounds a bit simplistic but it seems to play out.

In transitioning, the big thing to decide is to try the stealth route or the open Transpeep route. Both sides have their pros and cons. I believe that the stealth route is for those uncomfortable with being Trans and others knowing about it. They may slide into life unnoticed but they are always in fear of being outed. As long as they maintain their stealth they might enjoy life to the fullest as their true gender but from all thestealthies that I know I don't really see a lot of happiness. I'm sure that there are some but just the huge fear of being outed at any time must be awful. I remember that feeling when I was in myCrossdressing closet. You are forever and always on guard...Not a particularly settling way to live.

The out Transperson, on the other hand, has nothing to hide, nothing to be fearful of really. Yes, they may be looked upon as more Genderqueer than Trans but they get to live and be who they are. Now that is incredibly awesome!!! Plus the fact that no one can hold being Trans against them! Bonus!

But not all out Transpeeps are happy. I have also observed much sadness and other things in the Trans of the out world. But then again, most of these people may have been sad in the first place. It seem to my observation that the happy outTranspeeps are the ones who were happy souls from the beginning. Hey, how do these people feel happy anyway?

Some of them have always had a happy life, full of love and respect so they just continue on that avenue. Most of those who have had happy lives also seem to have better than average people skills. They can deal with people a bit better than most. For instance, when a non Trans refers to one of us as our natal gender what happens? I have seen some people have over the top fits about this while others just handle ittres cool. Don't make a big deal, just ignore or politely correct is the correct answer. Breaking down and losing it with anger or crying are not good answers and won't garner any sympathy. Trust me.

I have often been accused of not feeling sympathy for and not consoling the offended Transperson who gender has just been challenged but I firmly believe, it is what it is and the sooner that we realize and accept this, the better that we will be. I'm truly sorry but this is part of the deal when you are Trans. We asTranspeeps are really all Genderqueer and that's how most people will probably see us. We have to deal with their responses and their reactions in the best way that we can. If we can do this without bad drama then we just may come out of this fairly well. Really, that's the way it is, please think about it.

So I am an advocate of being an out Transperson and being happy and having people skills. That recipe has been working for me and I see it work very well for many others. It is what it is and we are who we are and that's the way that it so so let's just deal with it and enjoy our lives as our true selves!

I just watched a Quentin Crisp offering on LOGO this afternoon and I have a deep respect for Quentin after seeing this piece about him. His message was of the "Live as you are and it is what it is!" school of thought. I have always had that school of thought so I immediately attached and ID'd myself to him. If you get a chance to see it, please check it out! Btw, did you know that Sting did a song "Englishman in New York" which was written about Quentin after Sting visited him?

Yes, Sting is tres hot and is a wonderful entertainer but lets get back to my post!

I am interested in others thoughts about successful transitioning, what it means, what it is, how to do it., and what is considered successful? Please let me know your thoughts.

The Light is Shining on Me, Why Not Maine?

American Rights were lost this past week in Maine. Yes, right here in the United states of America, the Land of the Free, the people of Maine took away the rights of some Americans to wed. Citing their religious rhetoric about marriage, saying that marriage is only between a man and a woman, religious groups spread their ignorance and hate to those who themselves are, well, ignorant, and the right for some Americans to wed was lost. I find this grossly un-American.

First of all, I do not believe that anyone's basic rights should ever be put to a popular vote. That is very un-American and just plain wrong. You do not ever, ever vote on the basic rights of anyone, especially your fellow Americans! I am still shocked that this was even put to a vote.

Second, how can you take your neighbor's right to marry away from them? How can you find it in your heart to think that this is right? How can you look them in the eye and tell them that they have no right to wed? I cannot fathom it but I will try to look at the possible reasons why some people think that this is right.

Number one is the religious right wing. I am referring to the right wing Christian element of the United States of America. Somehow they think that they are on a mission from God and that they are doing their God's work. They think that they know what God wants and no one better get in their way. This reminds me of those religious fanatics who drove the planes into the twin towers and the Pentagon. These folks were sure that they were doing "God's work". I think that they were extremists who committed horrible crimes against God. I see a similarity between the plane crashers and the anti marriage people.

A quick aside, I don;t understand when these religious people say that their Bible is the word of God. I have looked through the Bible and I have not ever found one entry credited to God. I see the Corinthians, the Romans, Leviticus, etc, but no God. Let's face it, God did not write any of the entries in the Bible, The Bible was written by men, not women, but men, thousands of years ago. These were stories and words meant to control people, tell them what's right, what's wrong, what to do, what to say, what to wear, how to act etc. The Bible really is a code of conduct for people to follow and it was written by men thousands of years ago. Please keep that in mind when you hear someone say that the Bible is the word of God.

Back to the reasons why people think that it's ok to take rights away from fellow Americans.

America is getting enlightened but there still is homophobia which is still very alive in the U.S. I often ask myself, why is that the case? I believe that it is because many Americans think that they know what a man should be and what a woman should be and if they see a man who likes another man they somehow think lesser of this man. Why? Women can like men, why can't men like men? Could it be because they think that this man is somehow "lowering" himself and acting like a woman? Might I ask what is wrong for a man to act like a woman? Even further, dare I ask what is wrong with being a woman? I think that there is a huge, silent element of misogyny in our American culture. That is a big shame on our culture to even think this way!

Another possible thought along the same vein as the reason above is the very closeted Gay man who will not come to terms with his own homosexuality. This person may be so horrified that he is really Gay that he overcompensates by publicly showing his distaste for Gays. These are usually the Gay bashers, the religious and government leaders who speak publicly against Gays then they secretly have sex with Gays behind closed doors and bathroom stalls. This type of person can be the most vocal against Gays. Sadly, they are Gay themselves but somehow will not or cannot accept it.

Another possible reason to take away fellow American's rights is that the ignorant might think that Gay couples will somehow "infiltrate" neighborhoods and rape their children similar to the way that a certain percentage of Catholic priests do. Why do they think this? I believe that it is fear of the unknown and as a result, fearing the worst. Of course this is not true and their fears are unfounded.

So I have examined some of the possible reasons to think that it's alright to deny your fellow countrymen their rights. I see them but I still don't understand them. Instead I see ignorance, hatefulness, fear and a need to control. I do not see moral Americans and I surely do not see moral Christians.

I hope that someday people will understand what I am speaking of and see how terribly wrong these people are who are willing to take away rights of their fellow Americans.

2 Year Review

It's been two years since I transitioned to female. In November 2007 I made the leap and I've never looked back.Not a single second thought, not a single question, not a single "Omg! What have i done!" Nope! I am female and I will go to my grave as female.

In this post I am looking back at the past two years and where I am now. Physically, my face is a lot more feminine looking (after 2 1/2 years of hormones) and since I have been on Progesterone (since September 2008) my breasts have grown to be very noticeable. They were just kinda puttering along with the estradial patches but the addition to Progesterone unleashed new growth. My derriere has a new layer of fat on it and my thighs are a little bigger now. My body hair has either vanished or is soft and weak. My fingernails have softened and are always breaking as I play guitar often. I'll never have nice nails as playing my guitar is such a big part of my life, always has been and always will be.

Speaking of guitar and music my musical tastes have changed. I love dance music, disco, and softer sounds now. I don't go clubbing as much as I did when I was in my wild, partying Crossdressing daze. I didn't even go to Provincetown this year. I used to use clubs and Ptown as an excuse to dress and be myself but since I am 24/7 I really have no need to go somewhere else to express myself. Now I express myself in my daily life at all times.Yep, I've reached home.

Home is a very good, short definition on where I am now. I am very comfortable with myself now. I can accept that I am really a female and that I have a tall body and a low voice and that I am so follically challenged that I must wear a wig. I get Ma'amed very frequently now but I still sometimes get read as a Transwoman and that is very ok with me. I am very open with being Trans and I am proud of who i am. As a matter of fact, sometimes I want people to know that I am Trans so that they will know what a Transperson is by having met one firsthand. I know that many girls strive to "pass as a woman" but that doesn't concern me. I know that I pass as a human being. I still get Sirred on the telephone because of my low voice. Sometimes I politely correct my caller or sometimes I don't even bother. Point is, I have accepted myself as who I am!!!

At work everyone is cool with me.I never had a problem, not one. At home in my apartment building people are cool. At the stores where i go to shop for groceries, cleaning products, clothes etc there are no problems. Most of the cashiers at the local Panera restaurant know my name and never have to ask it to ID my take out order. I am fitting into society as me.

I have also accepted that I like men. I never admitted that before but then again I was never really attracted to men before. I think yhat I must have pushed that part of me way, way down further than the fact that I was female. As I released, accepted and understood my female being I also released, accepted and understood my attraction to men. I still have an attraction to women but it is waning.

My family life is torn between those who accept me and those who don't. Some love me even more than they did before. Some accept me but don't quite understand. Some don't even want to see me. It's sad but I have to live with it.

But I have lots of Gay, Lesbian and, of course, Transgender friends now. I still have a fair amount of Straight friends too. I seem to get along with just about everybody.. I think that they see the confidence that I have and that I am genuine and that I have a happy spirit and a nice smile. I am also not threatening. My vibes are friendly and confident.

Being able to express myself is something that I never let myself do. I always held back until I started accepting myself. I am sooo glad that I finally let myself be who i am! I was sooo afraid to let it out before I transitioned.

So I have achieved great personal growth in the past two years. I have found my center and peace and I can enjoy things now without feeling afraid and scared that someone would find out. Let me tell you, it's a very, very, very good feeling to just be who you are and to be able to enjoy life. I can finally, totally, enjoy life now!