Just change it to [object Object]

I had a fantastic weekend that set me up for some of the best experiences of my transition!

My spouse and I went to the shore for a day to do our annual “salt water reset”. They like to dip toes into the ocean once a year to feel right again. This year, I felt the same feeling. We walked along the beach hand in hand and just enjoyed the day and gorgeous weather!

That evening, we meet good friends that we only see once a year. I had come out via messages earlier. My friend told me he practiced my new name before meeting us at dinner! We discussed how a colleague of our friend had asked for her help coming out as trans at work, and how genuinely supportive she was for this person. When I explained my reasoning for transitioning (involves bad ideation, not discussing here), my spouse said they saw one of my friends wiping away tears. I am so lucky and so happy to have wonderful people to call friends! I even managed to use the women’s restroom on my own without freaking out or trying to hold it until hiring like I usually do.

Today, we went shopping and I spent almost two hours trying on outfits. My spouse took me into the ladies’ fitting rooms and got one right next to me so we could chat about the clothes. I came out of that store with an entire winter-appropriate collection, which means I am good for all seasons and have finally emptied my closet of all the male clothing. It feels good to just be me, fully.

Trans joy is possible! I didn’t think so 6 months ago, but I have a completely different outlook now 🏳️‍⚧️ 💖🌹

Spouse and I threw a small dinner party for the friends I’m out to but haven’t seen yet. They’re all a class act! Everyone walked in and had a fun evening without even bringing up the fact that I neither look nor sound the way I used to. We had an amazing meal with SO MUCH PIE. I ran 10 miles today just to try to burn off the pie. Well, also to train for a half marathon soon, but mostly because of pie.

After this weekend’s festivities, I’ve done the same!

Hail fellow middle-name-is-Elizabeth-haver!

I am no-contact with family and hated my given name, so I didn’t have the option of most of the suggestions here.

I went through a list of names common in my age group and birth area and stripped out the ones I didn’t want for initials. Then I bounced them off my spouse until we got a short list. I asked those who knew I was out to use them, and put them in as my preferred name for appointments.

It turns out all that work was pointless. We had a random night where we were doing something completely unrelated and my spouse said something that I misheard as my new name and it just stuck! Now my legal paperwork is done and I am just waiting for the courts to finish their side of it.

It’s possible that The Satanic Temple could add it to their “rituals” list like they did for abortions, but it’s all irrelevant. This should be illegal already as it discriminates against several protected classes, but here we are. It would take a federal court ruling to block this, but those are also already being ignored right now in other cases.

For anyone (like me) who relies on these plans, look into exceptions if they apply to you, or better yet, look for an alternative plan. I’m not confident that the current political climate is likely to overrule this EO, or that it would even matter if anyone did. Since healthcare in the US is based on annual enrollment periods, it would be prudent to have an alternative lined up.

50/50 with butter on toast with a cup of black coffee. It’s great this way, especially if you get the butter on first to let it melt on the toast while you wrestle the Vegemite out.

Super sick most of the week, and the US healthcare system is awful. “We don’t test for flu because the CDC said the season is over; here’s a list of homeopathic remedies to try” is the last thing you want to hear from urgent care.

I did manage to ride my bike in a charity ride this weekend! My first metric century was a lot of fun. I hope to do more!

You aren’t alone!

Your choice is completely valid and yours to make. I just don’t want people to think it’s either/or in the full and opposite direction. There are options for things like zero-depth or even nullification that don’t require dilation or very much recovery time.

Some girls just have a penis I guess

And some have a vulva without anything under it, or nothing at all!

Not that I know what exactly I want to be and express it. But I can explore things now together with my partner and friend. But I’m also really scared and feel guilty for taking up space. Some times I just want to go back, but sometimes I’m also happy it’s out.

I’m happy to hear about more people being comfortable being themselves. You NEVER, EVER have to apologize for “taking up space”. You have the right to exist as yourself, whoever that may be. Your space belongs to YOU. Exist in it! Thrive in it! Explore it!

I have gone through the exact same experience with my own family (devout Methodist on one side, and Portuguese Catholic on the other), and at my brother’s bachelor party. I knew a long time ago that I was trans, and I was his “best man” at this wedding almost 8 years ago. It was very much an unpleasant experience to me. Everyone else thought it was totally normal to them. It is absolutely self-reinforcing to live that experience, and I’m glad we drew the same conclusions from it. It validates my own views of life. Hang in there, sister. Life gets so much better from here.

Yay laser! It works wonders! Just don’t expect them to be immediately visible. And please wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun!

I am sorry things aren’t going well for your recovery. Hang in there!

I’ll summarize by saying it was transmisogyny from a cis lesbian that I have known a very long time. I have no intention of dragging anyone out in public. I will get over it, and spend some time trying to teach her, if I can.

I am looking forward to working with and being part of a community. This one is strong and has good roots! I went to her to learn about the perils of name and gender marker changes but had a very long discussion about all kinds of life experiences.

Trans sister here. This is awful. I absolutely stand behind my trans brothers and things like this bring us ALL down.

P.S. I didn’t find anything in the community details. If you’d rather not have me in here (the line about needing a transmasc community of your own is not lost on me) I’ll delete my replies and be on my way, no hard feelings.

(Almost) Everyone has one, and anyone can definitely be one.

I found my local community! Even better I found a trans elder (I use this term in an endearing, “came before me and knows what she’s doing” manner) who is fighting for our social justice. She’s quite a stand-up person! After a few more online meetings, I’m looking forward to an in-person group meetup and joining in the fight.

On the flip-side, I had a very unpleasant encounter with a “friend” saying some very transmisogynist things to me this weekend like she was just stating facts. Not everyone is an ally, even within the LGBTQ+ community.