[Miranda-nata-est]

Clara,

I have a sneaking envy about your managing to find such a number of people locally who are travelling or have travelled along similar paths. It would be a very good thing for all the reasons you mention to become part of an active thriving network. As yet, I have not really managed to tap into this type of resource here despite an, albeit somewhat cursory, search. There is a Cornwall TS support group but it is not very well attended. There must be many more of us out there. However, I've not really found a place, real or virtual, where many of a similar mindset to mine gather - just because one shares a gender switch in one's past does not mean you have so very much else in common. I should probably try a bit harder to find the right group I guess.

Whilst I agree with your analysis that it is necessary to mix with one's peers to get the most from transition, I don't really define my life in terms of my transition (I guess you don't either) and rather than close off my horizons by seeking too much in the way of segregated interactions, in many ways I would rather just be part of the wider populace.

I think there is probably as much, if not more, to be learned about one's self by mixing with others outside the TG/TS sphere than there is from within it - different things.

I see quite a bit of this self imposed stepping out of society as a whole. So often you hear TG/TS people ask 'Is so and so a Trans friendly venue'. This to me is pretty much an irrelevance. As do most people, I just go where I choose to go without thought of it's Trans friendliness although of course with a bit of common sense: As any cis gendered female knows, I am aware that there are SOME places you just don't go as a girl!!. I don't want to be different and stand out as alien with special needs who can only mix with others with the same past. To be perceived as 'just another person', ideally 'just another woman' is what I aspire to be.


Miranda