[AnnieBL]

Off the cuff, I can see 'stereotype lift', to the extent that it may exist, as no more than one more environmental influence among any others. In other words, don't get your knickers in a twist (as my wife would say).

[Samantha Rogers]

Clara, maybe, on this site, while I bring some heart, you bring some wisdom. Love you, honey.

[Marina Kits]

-- Ooooh, ouch! Yes, most likely ... mea culpa... not going to worry about it though.

I'm sorry Sammie, I wasn't trying to single you or anyone out. I was afraid it would happen but I promise it wasn't a veiled barb directed at you.

And you, know... I have almost posted a selfie as my avatar a gazillion times. And I would... What holds me back is simple prudence. Though my wife now knows, the rest of my family and friends do not. Should someone I know stumble across this site and recognize... well, it would cause problems. I could deal with that for myself, but I would not want, say my teenaged daughter to go through that. Sigh...
If its not one thing its your mother...

I'm in the same boat. Wife knows, no one else does. I've considered the possibility that someone I know might stumble across my pic here and find their jaw laying on the table. ...So be it. I think there are only two possibilities: they too are transgendered or I'm busted. If the later, well, I hope it goes well. I'm not a freak or pervert, I'm transgender, just like thousands of other people on this planet. If they come to me and ask questions, I'll remind them that they've know me for a long time, they just haven't known about this deep angst I've suffered with my whole life. What more can they do besides hurl insults? I'll take a few stones for our group. I'll be a martyr for the cause. I completely understand if others need to protect their identity but I'm at a point where I've put my identity on the line and am willing to let the chips fall where they may. Again, I love you all (does that sound feminine?) and your avatar wont change that. But if you're brave ...when your brave enough there is liberty in letting yourself be know to the world.

I have to laugh at myself with all the attention I'm giving to forcing my testosterone sculpted face and body into an image of femininity that is impossible for me to achieve.

Sigh, I think that's where I'm at. I could say things that make me sound feminine, I could spend a lot of money to try to look feminine below and above, I can dress in ways that make me look feminine ...but I'll never be or have or experience what I really want. I doubt any amount of money or effort could even put me in the upper 50 percentile of women my age. So where does that leave me? What am I to do? Maybe that's why I don't try very hard to do, look, sound, act feminine. I'll never convince anyone anyway. It would certainly be better if I could just be happy being a male. Lucky for those who already are.

[Samantha Rogers]

Oh, Kari Leigh, I think it is great you put your face out there and for all the reasons you stated I would too. I just can't be brave like that on behalf of my kids, you know. It would just not be fair for me to take that risk on their behalf, I figure. I am so in awe of those who can, though.

[GoneGirl]

Kari, you are somewhat the exception when it comes to revealing your face on this forum in full man mode. The others that do are made up femme for their picture -- Patti, Heather, Sarah, Karren, Anna, and others. Your avatar picture is very small and grainy, so it's not easily made out. But from what I can see, you would look pretty darn nice in makeup and a wig. Why not give it a try and post on the Fashion Show thread. Sarah will love you and so will I.

Sammie has convinced me to give make up a try, so..... Well, let's just say don't hold your breath. You know, the way I look at it is, sure, I'll never be able to present an acceptable image to the world, and I don't plan to, but it's still a lot of fun expressing my fem side with real props.

Gender identity is something you are born with. It can't be altered significantly. Those of us with a feminine gender identity, even a small part of one, need a way to express it. There's no best way to do that. Crossdressing for me is tremendously satisfying that way. There's no shame, no guilt, and no one is getting hurt as long as my wife is okay with the money I'm spending. And there is a positive to it, as well. I'm much more attentive to my weight and general appearance. I guess that's another feminine stereotype that I've fallen for, but look at the bright side: I'm still good at science and math!

Clara

[Marina Kits]

Oh, Kari Leigh, I think it is great you put your face out there and for all the reasons you stated I would too. I just can't be brave like that on behalf of my kids, you know. It would just not be fair for me to take that risk on their behalf, I figure. I am so in awe of those who can, though.

Yeah, right before I hit post, I reread yours and it gave me pause when I read, "teenage daughter". ....I have kids in and near the teenage years too and for their sake, I hope no one "sees me". I'm pretty sure my wife and kids could handle any shock waves that came from my "exposure" so it's an acceptable risk for me. But I also understand all the reasons people choose to conceal their identity. Actually my bark may be bigger than my bite. I'm not totally exposed, my pic is not nearly as clear as it could be and my name is ambiguous.

[Samantha Rogers]

Kari, you are somewhat the exception when it comes to revealing your face on this forum in full man mode. The others that do are made up femme for their picture -- Patti, Heather, Sarah, Karren, Anna, and others. Your avatar picture is very small and grainy, so it's not easily made out. But from what I can see, you would look pretty darn nice in makeup and a wig. Why not give it a try and post on the Fashion Show thread. Sarah will love you and so will I.

Sammie has convinced me to give make up a try, so..... Well, let's just say don't hold your breath. You know, the way I look at it is, sure, I'll never be able to present an acceptable image to the world, and I don't plan to, but it's still a lot of fun expressing my fem side with real props.

Gender identity is something you are born with. It can't be altered significantly. Those of us with a feminine gender identity, even a small part of one, need a way to express it. There's no best way to do that. Crossdressing for me is tremendously satisfying that way. There's no shame, no guilt, and no one is getting hurt as long as my wife is okay with the money I'm spending. And there is a positive to it, as well. I'm much more attentive to my weight and general appearance. I guess that's another feminine stereotype that I've fallen for, but look at the bright side: I'm still good at science and math!

Clara

You know, Clara, don't sell yourself short. Sometime, for grins, go over and set up an account at crossdressers.com. After you post a few times you can view the pictures. There are some amazingly gorgeous girls there, just as old as you and I and older. Heck, look how stunning Karren is, and she's only a few years behind me! (PS - I would die to look as good as you, Karren!) You will be amazed what time, practice and a few "tricks" can do. Really. Totally amazed.
But study up....hee hee... can you hear Atlanta calling?

[SarahSchilling]

Actually my bark may be bigger than my bite. I'm not totally exposed, my pic is not nearly as clear as it could be and my name is ambiguous.

And here I was thinking that your real name was Mr. Doodlebug.

lol

[flamesabers]

Hi Jessica,

I think there is some truth with how our reports of brain rewiring do correlate with a lot of the stereotypes associated with women: more emotional, cry more often, no interest in porn/masturbation more interested in clothes and fashion, etc. I doubt anyone here has said brain rewiring made them more interested in sports, aggressive and behave like an alpha male (That's brain rewiring that's gone wrong!). However, some members have shared that since being on pm their libidio have increased, but in a feminine rather than masculine manner. I think this contradicts the stereotype that women usually have little to no interest in sex.

Perhaps many more of us are guilty of trying a little too hard to portray feminine attributes, vocabulary and emotional responses. I'm not going to name specifics because I will surely offend some if not most by doing so.

I don't think I fall in this camp, do I?

Actually my bark may be bigger than my bite. I'm not totally exposed, my pic is not nearly as clear as it could be and my name is ambiguous.

And here I was thinking that your real name was Mr. Doodlebug.

lol

What about you Sarah?

If it isn't your surname, I always kind of wondered why you picked the name Schilling.

[Marina Kits]

Kari, ... Your avatar picture is very small and grainy, so it's not easily made out. But from what I can see, you would look pretty darn nice in makeup and a wig. Why not give it a try and post on the Fashion Show thread. Sarah will love you and so will I.

That's very flattering Clara, Thank you! It means a lot to me that you think that. Honestly, I've been seriously considering posting some pics to the fashion show despite my normal aversion to doing so. I'm sure you all have noticed my lack of pics and even comments on pics. I can't really explain why, I just don't. I'll warn you though, if I do post some, my head will be missing. While I don't mind being KNOWN as transgender, I don't want pictures floating about in full fem mode.

Oh, and about a wig... I almost bought one late last summer but decided I'd grow my own hair instead. It's been 9 months since my last clip and I'm getting comments now about how long it is (just over the ear on sides and collar in back). Two weeks ago, I had it colored! What a thrill that was! Sadly, my new stylist wants to clip the back in a couple months to prevent the dreaded "mullet" look.

Sorry Jessica, I'm contributing greatly to this thread getting off topic.