[Misty0732]

This entire thread, despite comments about it all having been said here before, should be mandatory reading for any one who has had serious thoughts about transition, in the sense of bringing the body one was born with more into accord with one's personally perceived gender.

Annie,

I definitely agree. I started this thread because I was feeling that the only option being presented to those of us suffering from GD is full transition. While a number of members may ultimately decide that is the course for them, there are others who will not need to go that far. I feel that only encouraging one possible course of action leads to a group-think mentality and can often push people in a direction or towards actions that aren't necessarily right for them.

Coming out, or "the talk", that has been discussed in earlier replies is one particular example of what I mean. While things may go fine for some when they open up fully to their spouse or other family members, the odds of that being the case are definitely against most of us. Unfortunately there is no way to put that cork back into the bottle. Therefore, one must be absolutely sure they have no other alternative before taking that step. If taken too early, and if it results in a wrecked marriage or broken family, the real shame occurs later should PM reduce the GD to manageable levels. In that case coming out would have been clearly premature and likely unnecessary. But the damage had already been done.

Misty