Could I belong here?

[lilvi0r]

Hey, I discovered this group a week or so ago and now feel like the most naïve/ignorant moron in the world. The extent of my knowledge of transgenderism was a particularly cringeworthy story-arc on Hollyoaks (English teen-based soap).

Having perused the tags I felt were relevant to me I have found myself a label! (I love labels, it’s such a relief

Comments

[eldripheus]

Just one small comment on T and girl parts, even after you get top surgery, if you don't go on T, they will...... grow back. At least that's my understanding.

[rainbowxgeek]

Not true. Cis-women have mastectomies, and they don't grow back. My mother lived for a decade or so after hers, and her chest was as flat when she died as it was right after the surgery. Once it's gone, it's gone.

[homo_impetus]

Not at all true. Plenty of guys have top surgery and do not go on T or go on T sometime after top surgery.

ETA: Also, I am interested in where you heard this or why you thought it?

[angmonster]

I totally get it. I lived in a bubble (called New Zealand) and didn't know ANYTHING for years, I just did my thing and never really knew what was out there. Thank god for this community. I lurked here for ages and learned a lot. Feel free to PM me about anything :)

[mutated_queer]

I'm going to assume you're in the UK since you watch Hollyoaks. If you are interested in transitioning medically it might help you to read up on some UK specific info on how things work. For that I recommend TGUK on here but more so the FTM UK yahoo group- if you can't find it give me a shout and I'll look out a link. Being genderqueer and not wanting to go on T can make things a bit of a challenge with the NHS. If you're under 26 you might want to check out Queer Youth. If you let us know where you live more specifically then people might know what groups are in your area if you're interested in meeting people face to face.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'cheat sheet' but I'm 20, agender (I use genderqueer sometimes), in the UK and pretty much done with transitioning medically- feel free to give me a shout if you have a specific question/want to chat

[lilvi0r]

Thanks, I'll check those out, I've never met anyone else going through this, at least not in person. I'm getting steadily psyched up for looking into support group meetings, I feel it'll be easier to be myself fully around other people in the same situation, particularly strangers.

By cheat sheet I meant, in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, could someone just tell me what to do, admonish me of all responsibility. I know that's not possible, but I'm not used to having to take anything seriously and to be quite honest I'm a little scared.

I'm 26, but young for my age due to development issues.

[sitiomania]

Oh hey, welcome to the community and I hope you can find what you're looking for. :)

[rainbowxgeek]

"I’m an idiot for not being aware of the trans-spectrum

[sneakersjay]

Heck I was 47 when I figured it out. My only exposure to trans people were those over the top people portrayed on Jerry Springer and the like, and the only ones I ever heard of were MTF. And I had been on the internet regularly since 1995.

I knew since I was 4 I felt male, but just thought I was a tomboy.

[rainbowxgeek]

I didn't particularly feel male, so much as just having an underlying feeling of 'something's not quite right.' Even now, though I identify as male and cringe when I'm referred to by female pronouns, it's not a solid 100% 'I AM A MAN'. So I guess I'm just at some point on the gender spectrum rather than being at the 'endpoint' of 'male'.

[lilvi0r]

Thanks, you've made me feel much better about my ignorance. I hope I'll be able to learn enough here to make an informed decision about what to do in the future. I get what you mean about not being 100%, I think on a scale of 1 - 10, if 1 is 100% female and 10 is 100% male, I'd rate myself around a 7.5-8.
It's been both scary and relieving, but at least now I know there are others out there in a similar situation.