[Marina Kits]

I was born a duck that really wanted to be a swan... I also realized that as much as I wanted to be a swan I would never be totally accepted as a swan.

Amen! I desperately wanted (and still do) to be a swan but sadly, I never will be! Every cell in my body has a chromosome that marks me as a male, at least in the binary view of gender. I'm so happy though, that I too found PM, acceptance from my wife, camaraderie here and the strength to break free from social "norms" and pursue a little peace "somewhere in the middle". Breasts, long hair, feminine attire... it all helps me feel at peace with myself. Still, there is a line somewhere that I don't want to cross. Androgynous is good, "he's a dude in a dress" is absolutely not.

Mentally
Male-----------------------*---------------Female

Appearance (now)
Male----*---------------|------------------Female

Appearance (future)
Male------------------*-|-?----------------Female

So I am half duck and half swan and I am happy with that.
No matter what stage you are at we are all in the same pond.

And what a fine, Golden Pond, it is! Complete with birds of every kind.

Most people that I meet can not figure out what gender I am.
Over the years only a few people were even bold enough to ask.

...But what about family and friends as you became less obviously "male"? How did you maneuver through that?