One of my good friends transitioned in his late thirties. He was born biologically female and was depressed basically his whole life until he started hormone therapy, counseling, and then a year or so later, top surgery. He's happy now, living as a regular dude, and he was terrified of revealing it to anyone and was…

If it weren't for societal notions of what it looks like to be female, you would be able to embrace the fact that you ARE a woman already, without worrying about how you look on the outside. But we are sooooo superficial in this country. Women don't have adam's apples, and they don't have lots of hair (which you can…

You have not failed. Ever.

Christine,

My dear, sweet, beautiful Christine:

Christine-

There is nothing that can be said that would take your pain away. There is nothing I can say to you that hasn't already been said. I just want you to know that there are people out there that support you, and I am one of those people. A thousand hugs to you, Christine. You deserve happiness and I wish I had a magic…

I'm a cis hetero white male (I opted for the "wealthy" package, too, but they were out of those privileges) and the best lesson my mother taught me was acceptance. She had friends who were gay (before gay was "cool"), and I never thought it was 'ooky' because of that. I've discovered over the years, several of my…

I'm so sorry darling. Pity these people who are so in the grip of fear.

Mornin' Christine,

Tess, Thanks for hanging in there, and Congratulations on your transition!:-)

<3333

I am so sorry this happened to you. Lots of love from my little corner of the internet. You sound like an amazing, strong person.

Christine, I am the mother of a 27 year old daughter, who was born a boy. For 22 years she lived as a boy, doing exactly what you have been doing. I would confront her, hide the female clothes from her father, knowing that he would hit the roof if he knew she was gay or a cross-dresser. In 2007, while away from home,…

I'd like to say that I can't for the life of me imagine a parent saying something so cruel to their child. But I've got enough of that shit to write a book. My crime was being born.

Thanks for this. I'm in the UK, now in my early 60s. I cross-dressed and wished to be female from about 8 years old. My mother wished me to be 'cured' and to be fair nothing much was known about transgender in those days.

Christine. I'm 45 years old, and I just started transitioning this year. I remember thinking for years that I just wanted to live long enough to fulfill my obligations to others and then I could finally let myself die. I used to tell myself stories over and over about what my life might have been like if I'd been born…

Hi Christine,

This ones for you and others like you:

That post alone took more courage than many people have. I wish you luck in helping your internal struggle end and you to find joy and happiness. Happiness is a thing everyone can have, however, it is not always easy to achieve, and sometimes is downright difficult. It took me over 20 years to become truly happy…