3 Month “Graduation”

I had my final post op appointment in person today and got some confirmation and a little reassurance.
 

 

 

I must admit that I am so, so remiss in not featuring Haven's blog since her gender affirmation surgery.  For some reason, her blog still shows up on T-Central under the old name and I'll try to fix that.  This post is a three month update, from Haven.  Things have not gone quite as well as planned, but she's doing better.

Fifteen Years Later

Back in October 2005, a young (ish) chap sat with his back to the garden, in a room that’s no longer there. Autumn sunlight glowed against the wallpaper, but the man was lost in his thoughts, staring at the computer’s bulky monitor. Should he press ‘post’ or not? There’s a dilemma of the modern world many folk don’t have.

 

Here's a shout-out to one of our long-time bloggers and a great on-line friend.  Lynn's blog has hit the 15 year mark.  Be sure to go over YATFB and give her a virtual high-five!

Life Changes

There are times in our lifetime when something happens that changes your life for ever even though we may not realise it at the time. Fifty two years ago the weekly magazine Titbits produced an article entitled 'She Men'. The front cover of the magazine had a photo of a young woman with the headline "This Is A Man" 'Read the incredible facts inside'.
 

Those of us who are old enough to have grown up without the Internet can certainly relate to this post.  If you were in your teens, or even younger, you had few ways to find out about yourself.  For me, it was the library, with a handful of books and magazine articles.  Andrea relates her experience when she found this magazine article.

Permission to go shopping

Her suggestion was to keep putting out small changes – to start wearing more of my colourful clothes, and deliberately investing in one or two pastel feminine colours and start co-ordinating. Not necessarily out and female tee’s, but move away from the dark green and blues that make up 99% of my male wardrobe.

 

It was a good therapy session for Dee.  It involved clothes!  How can that not be good?!!

What is top surgery? A guide to top surgery for trans men and transmasculine individuals

This procedure is typically done by transgender men or non-binary individuals who need a more traditionally masculine appearance to match their gender identity.

Trans Express links to a good article on the subject of top surgery.

Purging

The number one reason most of us purge is because, as they say, going on the wagon.  We are stopping all this crossdressing thing and going “straight”.  “No more dressing, just going to appreciate my boring male clothes for the rest of my life.”       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a topic that is, sadly, probably familiar to most of you who are reading this.  No matter where you are in the spectrum, I'm betting that you have purged at least once.  As for me?  Been there, done that, bought the [fill in the blank] more than once.....  Nice guest post, By Stephanie Julianna, on Kandi's blog.

Thanks, Kandi, for including a link to T-Central on your blog!

The Convenient Women: A Response to a Dismissive Transsexual

Get over it girls.  We’re not better nor worse than you.  We’re just different.  Let us be.  Celebrate us, as we celebrate you.

 

 

Ah, the "I'm more trans than you" subject has risen it's ugly head yet again.  A very solid response indeed....

When it all goes well

A number of weeks ago, I was talking with the Ever Lovely Mrs J about the (now long passed) birthday situation and my lovely partner asked – with a cheecky smile – if there was anything I wanted in the fancy department.

 

 

Ah, the Ever Lovely Mrs J.....   Lynn is so lucky to have her!  As is often the case with Lynn's posts, this one comes with photos.   Guess who's showing us a new look?
 

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR INFLUENCE

Some folks may believe that their lives aren't important or don't matter. You may be influencing someone and may not know it. Another person may be on the cusp of living authentically because you are actually doing it.

 

 

 

 

Short post.  Quality content!
 

Saying Hello

Have you ever encountered another person in public whom you considered to be transgender or a cross dresser? Have you tried to strike up a conversation or just walked the other way?

Good question, from Cyrsti.  Here's my answer:

Yes, many times I have encountered, in public, someone I believed to be trans.  No, I never said hello.  Why?  Well, for two reasons.  1 - I didn't want to make the trans woman (in this case, not referring to trans guys) know that I read her and, 2 - I really didn't want to out myself.

Cyrsti has a different take on this, thanks to a comment on her blog from Emma.  Go here to read more.

Trans person who manages a sexual abuse helpline for women explains what trans and cis women have in common

Carter underlines that the endless debate about trans women’s access to such services is in itself  invalidating and damaging. When cis women fight to exclude trans women from our services, she adds, they are essentially saying that trans women’s lives aren’t as important as their own.  

What a great post, from The Independent, a UK website.  You can find the link at Trans Express.
 

Forgive us if we seem to you like men

Forgive us if we seem to you like men.

 

 

 

 

It's a sweet and beautiful poem, from Clare.

Two Steps Forward...

Maybe I am hesitant because I know people I actually know outside the interwebs might read this now. I have packed 30-plus years into the 2-plus years of this blog, and so for someone who's known me for the longer period, I worry about it being too much, too shocking, too bizarre.

Shannyn has opened herself to family now and it's two steps forward.....

 

Thanks, Shannyn, for the link to T-Central on your blog!