Your happiest moment as a girl

[Claire96c]

What is the happiest moment you have experienced as a girl? For example, another girl or a handsome man telling you how pretty you look, or how feminine you are, or being taken and accepted as a genuine girl.

How did you feel? Did you swoon with excitement? Blush with embarrassment? Feel more feminine than you had ever felt before? Lower your eyes submissively and mumble a grateful thank you?

I would love to hear the experiences of others girls.

Claire

xx

[Karren H]

The day, 3 years ago, that I was asked to be the first crossdressing moderator on a women's makeup forum.... Nothing can surpass the feeling of being accepted as one of the girls....

[kimdl93]

I won't share the happiest moments - they are private. But I really enjoyed visiting with several women at a bar and the experience, as Karren notes above, of being accepted as one of the girls.

[BillieJoEllen]

Its been about 15 years ago. I dressed in a very stylish, very silky black dress. My foundations and lingerie were all black too. I felt very scrumptious that night. If I do say so myself my makeup was PERFECT. Now that doesn't happen to me very often! I selected Chanel #5 for my scent. I felt very, very feminine that night. I drove to one of our larger cities in the state and walked around. I also went into a few stores to do some shopping. No one seemed to notice me. (Being 6'3" and weighing 230 at the time). Like I said everything seemed to be perfect for me that night. When I got home I walked around the block a few times. Then I sat down and had a glass of sherry and watched some MTV. I dozed off and woke up hearing a Gloria Estefan tune. Its never been more feminine or perfect for me than at that moment. My only regret was that I didn't have any one to share it with.

[AvidFan]

just started dressing last year and I don't go out, but I actually have a little. My GF is completely supportive of Sasha, and she's addicted to chat roulette. well, she convinced me to go on one night. The usual pervs were on there, but I ended up chatting to this gorgeous red-haired German girl. we chatted for about 20 mins and I asked if she was "Bi" she said "of course I am" I then told her I was a CDer, and she made this face and looked very closely at the cam, and thought I was pranking her. I loved it, all the guys on there couldn't tell, but I actually had a GG thinking I was a GG too :)

[NicoleScott]

Two times come to mind:
1) Similar to BillieJoEllen's experience - there was one occasion when I looked in the mirror after transforming, and I was 100% thrilled with everything. Considering that most of us crossdressers are pretty hard on ourselves - always striving for perfection but never getting there - I can say that on that occasion, I got there. In my eyes and brain, that is.
2) I went out a good bit (but stayed in a lot, too). The first time I went IN somewhere, to a club, where I sat at the bar in my over-the-top style, chatting with a few other patrons - when I got back home, felt a rush of excitement and accomplishment that I got not just OUT, but IN.

[t-girlxsophie]

When I took part in a Charity TG Fashion show,a chance to wear different gorgeous outfits walking down the catwalk all eyes on me,culminating in being Blushing Bride,felt so special in gorgeous gown,and when I saw my Wife in the audience looking so proud well that has been my best moment

But My happiest moment was when my Wife,then my gf saw Sophie for the first time,and gave me a hug and totally accepted this part of me,well that feeling will stay with me forever:daydreaming:

Sophie

[Wendy_Marie]

Hard to pinpoint one as with the passing each new day lately I have experienced new and exciting revelations....Todays best was climbing out of the car in my short skirt, walking up the steps and into the Doctors office and telling the receptionist I wanted to make an appointment so I could begin Hormone Replacement Therapy....First Appointment is 9:15 a.m. Tuesday August 30, 2011...been walking on clouds ever since.
Yesterdays involved being dragged into a conversation about the color of the polish on my toes by a GG while in a crowded Ladies Rest Room.

[Katie83]

My happiest moment as Katie has to have been at my last new years party. For the past few years now Katie as been going to new years fancy dress parties, not Matt. This last year I put maximum effort and time into my costume, I went as Batgirl. To my knowledge I was the only CD there. Towards the end of the party one of our friends, a GG, was talking to me and said: "Its incredible, everytime I look at you I think you're a woman" That made me so happy. And it still does to think back to it now.

[Cynthia Anne]

Without giving much thought to this! I would Have to say it was when a lady held open the door to the ladies room at a Wal-mart for me!

[ReineD]

What is the happiest moment you have experienced as a girl? For example, another girl or a handsome man telling you how pretty you look, or how feminine you are, or being taken and accepted as a genuine girl.

Claire, I don't know how long you've been doing this, or if you go out much, but it is the rare CD indeed who goes out in public and is taken as a genetic female when people look closely and especially after he interacts with them. It just doesn't happen, outside of people's fantasies. There are simply too many subtle and not so subtle gender cues for people to not know the person they are talking to is a genetic male, no matter how beautiful the clothes, the hair, the makeup, and the accessories.

That said, just because people know they are talking to a trans person, it doesn't mean they won't respect her. My SO goes out a lot and she is respected and liked as the person she is by several of the people she interacts with regularly.

But, do people swoon all over her when she goes out? No. Do people swoon all over GGs and tell them how pretty and feminine they are? No. lol

You should just go out and mingle with people, so that you can have a better perspective of what it's really like. You'll find it is quite "normal", and if you read the posts above me, you'll see that most members got the biggest gratification from the people in their lives who accepted them for who they are, a genetic male who dresses. (Except for the TSs of course).

[kimdl93]

...just because people know they are talking to a trans person, it doesn't mean they won't respect her. My SO goes out a lot and she is respected and liked as the person she is by several of the people she interacts with regularly.

But, do people swoon all over her when she goes out? No. Do people swoon all over GGs and tell them how pretty and feminine they are? No. lol

You should just go out and mingle with people, so that you can have a better perspective of what it's really like. You'll find it is quite "normal", and if you read the posts above me, you'll see that most members got the biggest gratification from the people in their lives who accepted them for who they are, a genetic male who dresses. (Except for the TSs of course).

This has been my experience too! Having only recently joined the ranks of the "out and about" CDrs, I can attest to this. I certainly am not passable, but I try to blend in as best I can. And I try to be friendly respectful and authentic when I interact with others. I find that I get the same in return, and the feeling of being accepted for who I am is very gratifying.

[Samantha43]

Hi Claire,
We're all different and have different goals here. I'm really just a regular guy that likes to dress in feminine clothing once in a while. I don't want to be accepted as a regular girl and I certainly don't want to have a man tell me I am pretty (it has happened....I didn't like it!). I have had several women tell me that I look nice and do a great job with my makeup and clothing. It makes me happy for a woman to acknowledge all of the hard work I put into trying to look nice since they understand how much effort it takes.

[kendra_gurl]

Vegas 2005 at a shop of Fremont street. Wife and I were shopping and it was my first time out during the daytime. I was nervous so when the wife found a souvenir she wanted to purchase I handed her my American Express card then stood off to the side while she made the purchase. The SA said Ma'am I'm sorry but we cannot accept this as its in your husbands name and he would have to be here. I don't know why or how but I just stepped up and said to the SA "OH I AM HERE". She looked closely at me and said Wow I would have never guessed, you had me fooled. That made the rest of our week much less stressful

[SweetIonis]

I went out a few times dressed up to some clubs. I had such a good time it scared me! Actually I stopped dressing for a few years. Thought I was getting in over my head.

See I had never really dressed up other than wearing some panties for a few minutes until I was an adult. I know what made me start getting dressed to. I saw some real pretty CDs or TSs. I don't know which they were, but I knew they weren't GGs. But still, they looked so pretty. It really got me hot. It was in my mind for a while. I always thought I looked cute in panties, so I thought maybe I would buy me an outfit. So I did. I bought some white shorts, with a white vest and I think a mauve top, with mauve socks and some white shoes. I thought I looked pretty good. Then I threw it all away!!! LOL!

But from then on I was hooked. I bought some other outfits. I keep doing that for a while. The more I did it, the more I wanted to do it. Then I started buying some sort of nice things. And I really liked that. It got to the point that something very strong would come over me, and I knew it was time to do the dressing thing. I was doing it more and more. Then I decided I wanted to go out. So I scoped out a place where no one knew me. I found this really awesome black really short, tight, dress that looked so great on me. I went out. I got so many compliments and had so much fun. I did it again, and the same thing happened. After a few times, I started getting scared. I thought I was going in a direction I really didn't want to go. So I threw away all my stuff and didn't dress again for a long time.

Darn, I wish I had all those cute outfits that I had!!!! Some of them were really nice!!!!!

[docrobbysherry]

Last nite!

Looking at a full figured Sherry in her Speedo in the mirror! WOW!

Of course, at MY age with MY short term memory, I will have forgotten how hot she looked by this weekend!

[Miss Maxine]

Mine isn't very dramatic, but I'll share it, anyway. I felt very flattered and accomplished when my extremely fashion saavy lesbian friend told me how impressive my beard cover makeup was.

[DeniseNJ]

The first time I went out dressed and it wasn't halloween. The 35 mile drive enfenme to a club in phila to see a drag show was like wow. Sitting with my legs together like a good girl next to a young guy who asked if he feel my leg. Letting him rub his hand up and down my leg was so erotic . Then meeting those 5 nurses who took me under their wing and treated me like one of the girls was heaven

[sometimes_miss]

Well, I'm not a girl, so I don't know what that would feel like. But I suppose the best I ever felt would have to be the first time I completed everything. What I mean by that, is all the clothes were mine, everything fit perfectly; nail polish done correctly, jewelry well chosen. Finally wearing the wig that gave me the long hair like I had as a teen, but styled as a girls. Not to mention the shoes. It was before my knees went, and I could wear and walk in my heels normally. I stayed in that outfit all day, and wound up falling asleep that way. When I woke up, there was no excitement, no surprise, no confusion; I didn't really notice what I was wearing, although I had kicked off my shoes at some point. I kind of just went about the rest of my day. When it was time to go to bed, I just changed into my girl pajamas, and went to sleep. I never took the wig off; having long hair to me is part of being a female, and caring for it, and managing it has become second nature.

[TGMarla]

I went wig-shopping en femme a few years ago. I browsed the store in full acceptance of the others who were in the store. One man, who was waiting as his wife was attended to, kept eyeing me in a friendly (not at all perverted) way, and was very surprised later when he realized I was actually a man. His wife asked me if my hair was real. It wasn't. She told me I was really pretty. Both he and his wife were very pleasant. When my turn came, I tried on the wig I'd end up buying, and when I saw myself in the mirror with my new hair for the first time, I had to catch my breath. I couldn't believe what I was seeing was actually me. I'd never felt prettier, more feminine, and so warm with the whole experience. On my way home, I stopped by the mall and shopped for some new lingerie, and no one there ever raised even an eyebrow at me, other than to smile warmly and to be friendly. I remember saying after the occasion that if anyone ever asked why I crossdress, it's because every once in a while, I get to feel the way I did that day. It will always be a treasured memory.

[Cheryl T]

One of mine would be a day we were at a mall shopping. I was wearing a pink tank with a crocheted overlay and a denim skirt. As we walked along a lady stopped me and complimented me on the overlay...as I thanked her she asked me if I had made it. When I said I hadn't she asked where I got it and we talked about the shopping site for a few moments. Then she thanked me...complimented me on it again and walked off.
It's so nice just to be accepted without question.

[Darlene-VA]

There have been several over the years but today was one of my best. At noon I had my hair colored to cover up the gray that is really becoming noticeable, then I went to the mall and had my eyebrows worked on by a nice young lady using the thread method. It was amazing what she did in such a short time for only $12.00, then something that has been on my mind forever I finally had my ears pierced. So when I dressed this afternoon with all of the changes I seen the woman that I have wanted to be for a long time now and the feeling was so special making me finally feel complete at this stage in my life.

[Kaitlyn26]

When I saw an old friend from school and found out she was very much accepting. Then she asked me to give her a makeover and go to a concert after. So we arranged it and had a lot of fun giving each other makeovers. I'm not sure if GGs do this but I felt like "one of the girls" and enjoyed the trust she put in me to change her look for an evening. Afterwards we went to the concert and had a lot of fun. I felt very passable in a darker room with strobes going and we both looked good if I do say so myself. :D

[RachelF]

Some months ago, the first time my wife put lipstick in my lips ... it was so great !!!!

[windycissy]

When I'm playing tennis in my white tennis dress and I get so into the game that I forget about who I am till I see my shadow with my dress swirling and say to myself, "How cool is this?"

[NathalieX66]

I'm someone that actually goes out in public en femme.....name the place, I've been there.

At first I was looking for a climactic moment to justify the experience......nowadays, it's all about just being me.....heard that line before?

I'm a dude that has a femme side.....it has to be let loose once in a while.
I'm not happy with gender constraints.

Conferences like Southern Comfort in Atlanta, or Keystone in Pennsylvania are fun because i get to meet others like me.

[Melanie R]

One of my happiest moments was in 1990 when my parents met Melanie for the first time. They were on our first Dignity cruise with my wife and I and 56 other crossdressers and SO's. Before dinner on the first night on the ship we walked to their cabin to accompany them to dinner. My mother looked at me very critically and told me that I make a very attractive woman. My father's eyes almost popped out as he looked at me and told me that I look just like my mother. He then hugged me. I cryed for the next 15 minutes.

[Danielle.N]

One of my happiest moments was in 1990 when my parents met Melanie for the first time. They were on our first Dignity cruise with my wife and I and 56 other crossdressers and SO's. Before dinner on the first night on the ship we walked to their cabin to accompany them to dinner. My mother looked at me very critically and told me that I make a very attractive woman. My father's eyes almost popped out as he looked at me and told me that I look just like my mother. He then hugged me. I cryed for the next 15 minutes.

Such a great story, Melanie. I can totally relate, the first time dad hugged me this way broke me too. He never was the hugging type. But, we came to a whole new level of understanding that night. He was more hurt than anything that I was so afraid to talk to him. I've never looked at him the same again.

[Fazlina]

last year,1st time in my girlish life i walked in the public totally as a girl with pink and silk skirt and without being noticed that im a real man...simple make up,mid-sized bra..i feel so faminine..

[KandisTX]

Couldn't possibly answer this because I am not now, nor have I ever been a GIRL. I'm a man who has a feminine side which I express by dressing as a woman. My best time and favorite memory of this however is the first time I walked out of my home fully dressed to go to my first meeting of Neutral Corner in San Diego California. That was when I finally accepted that I was NOT alone in this lifestyle.

[KrystalA]

My happiest moment as a girl is EVERY moment that I'm a girl. But the absolute best moments are when I'm fully en femme, and my SO walks into the room and tells me how cute I look. She is so wonderful and so encouraging about my CDing, and I'm so lucky to have her.

[MichelleP]

The very first time I was "ma'amed" while out shopping - I was on cloud nine!!!

[Sarah Doepner]

I wasn't even pretending to be a girl at the time (pretend is the best I'll be able to do), but it's probably the moment my wife told me to get my nice girl things out of the duffel bag hidden in the basement and hang them up in our shared closet.

[Frédérique]

What is the happiest moment you have experienced as a girl? How did you feel? Did you swoon with excitement? Blush with embarrassment? Feel more feminine than you had ever felt before? Lower your eyes submissively and mumble a grateful thank you?

My happiest moment as a girl came during a trip to Maine some years ago. One fine day, at a wooded picnic area along a winding road, I had one of those moments that verify one’s existence, or solidify one’s resolve to continue, depending on how you interpret it. For me, it was just a magical moment. I ran among the trees many times with many twirls in the cool air. It was one of my favorite moments as a girl – just running and twirling around through the trees like a child. Sheer joy! I ran to the back of the place, then back through the pines before anyone came around. The cool breezes would blow my skirt around, along with any un-attached leaves, and I was in a heaven I had created simply by choosing to dress for the occasion. I felt wonderful afterwards, thoroughly changed and happy as a result. I knew this would be the first of many such journeys into my own “interior.” Before I left, I walked into the beckoning woods as far as I could go and forgot myself, clutching my skirt like a security blanket, before returning to the dream-like reality I was experiencing. Submission is definitely part of the equation, or a humbling before nature. Yes, I felt very feminine, but mere words can’t really describe my feelings...
:battingeyelashes:

[sissystephanie]

Couldn't possibly answer this because I am not now, nor have I ever been a GIRL. I'm a man who has a feminine side which I express by dressing as a woman.

That quote fits me perfectly! In the 70+ years that I have been crossdressing I have certainly looked like and probably even acted like a girl, but I have never been one and never will be!! I have no desire whatever to actually be a woman!!

I guess one of my favorite memories was when my late wife, who was at the time my Fiance, asked me to wear white silk lingerie to our wedding! She of course knew that I was a CD, and wanted me to match her!! Of course she was the only one in the whole crowd who knew about my CD'ing!! I don't think I will ever forget doing that!!

[Kittyagain]

I really don't have one that stands out in my thoughts. :) I guess I need to go make one.

Nice thread with wonderful stories.

Kitty

[suchacutie]

After a couple of years of dressing and my wife had led me through all the mechanical pieces: makeup details, dressing coordination, having a "look", and feeling great about what you are wearing.

I put on a tunic-length top, black, with black jeans, waist cincher, 4" closed toe patent heels, dark-blonde hair, necklace, makeup, jewelry....you know what I mean.

Tina walked out of the bedroom and into the living room where my wife was sitting. She took one look at Tina and said, "WOW!"

I suddenly didn't know what to do with my hands or my facial muscles.

Or anything else.

What a moment!

[Michelle James]

Claire, I don't know how long you've been doing this, or if you go out much, but it is the rare CD indeed who goes out in public and is taken as a genetic female when people look closely and especially after he interacts with them. It just doesn't happen, outside of people's fantasies. There are simply too many subtle and not so subtle gender cues for people to not know the person they are talking to is a genetic male, no matter how beautiful the clothes, the hair, the makeup, and the accessories.

I'm out there every day since I went full time and I'm not so sure that's true. I don't believe that i live in a fantasy world. I believe that I am taken for female every where I go. If that's not the case then this is a horrible blow to my fragile self esteem (not). What I am getting at is that for me to have any degree of normalcy I need to believe. Once I let go of that then all i really am is a guy in women's clothes. It's like the scene in the movie "Somewhere in time" when Christopher Reeve's character sees the penny and it all falls away. Maybe I'm rambling but I don't think it's as rare as all that.

[ReineD]

I'm out there every day since I went full time and I'm not so sure that's true. I don't believe that i live in a fantasy world. I believe that I am taken for female every where I go. If that's not the case then this is a horrible blow to my fragile self esteem (not). What I am getting at is that for me to have any degree of normalcy I need to believe. Once I let go of that then all i really am is a guy in women's clothes. It's like the scene in the movie "Somewhere in time" when Christopher Reeve's character sees the penny and it all falls away. Maybe I'm rambling but I don't think it's as rare as all that.

Michelle, it wasn't my intention to make it seem worse than it is.

I did say, "it is the rare CD" who is not clocked, especially when he is actively interacting with others ... if he is engaged in a real conversation. There must be some CDs who are taken as genetic women, but honestly I think this is very rare. Even many of the transsexuals who take hormones and who are on androgen blockers feel they need facial feminization surgery, and extensive voice work, so as not to leave a hint of their male origins.

But, being clocked is not a bad thing. Let me explain. :) My SO for many years went out without interacting much with others, other than using very few words when ordering a meal, or paying at a cash register. And before I go further I need to tell you that my SO blends very well and most people on the street would not immediately think "guy in a dress" as they pass her by. She has her own natural mid-back hair which she keeps tied at the nape of her neck in guy mode, small hands and feet (the same size as mine), she has had laser beard removal so there is no shadow, her addam's apple doesn't show, and her face does not have an overly male appearance (chin, forehead, etc).

But, she did realize that when she began to actively engage in lengthy conversations with people, they just "knew". The reality is that some gender cues are more subtle than we think, such as facial width, shoulder breadth, neck size, profile shape, and many others, plus the biggest tell of all which is the voice even if a CD has learned to soften it. But, the beautiful part of all of this is that my SO discovered that some people are very accepting of her presentation and they do treat her as the woman she presents. She has made several friends among the places that she goes to frequently, and she has adjusted her views of how people really see her as the result.

I agree that if a blending CD passes people by on the street, most won't read her since the idea that she might be a CD just isn't at the forefront of their thoughts. My point is that most people will know when they do have a direct interaction with the CD, that is more than just a few words, and most people will react politely .... especially restaurant personnel, bank tellers, cashiers, and SAs.

[Claire96c]

Michelle, it wasn't my intention to make it seem worse than it is.

I did say, "it is the rare CD" who is not clocked, especially when he is actively interacting with others ... if he is engaged in a real conversation. There must be some CDs who are taken as genetic women, but honestly I think this is very rare. Even many of the transsexuals who take hormones and who are on androgen blockers feel they need facial feminization surgery, and extensive voice work, so as not to leave a hint of their male origins.

But, being clocked is not a bad thing. Let me explain. :) My SO for many years went out without interacting much with others, other than using very few words when ordering a meal, or paying at a cash register. And before I go further I need to tell you that my SO blends very well and most people on the street would not immediately think "guy in a dress" as they pass her by. She has her own natural mid-back hair which she keeps tied at the nape of her neck in guy mode, small hands and feet (the same size as mine), she has had laser beard removal so there is no shadow, her addam's apple doesn't show, and her face does not have an overly male appearance (chin, forehead, etc).

But, she did realize that when she began to actively engage in lengthy conversations with people, they just "knew". The reality is that some gender cues are more subtle than we think, such as facial width, shoulder breadth, neck size, profile shape, and many others, plus the biggest tell of all which is the voice even if a CD has learned to soften it. But, the beautiful part of all of this is that my SO discovered that some people are very accepting of her presentation and they do treat her as the woman she presents. She has made several friends among the places that she goes to frequently, and she has adjusted her views of how people really see her as the result.

I agree that if a blending CD passes people by on the street, most won't read her since the idea that she might be a CD just isn't at the forefront of their thoughts. My point is that most people will know when they do have a direct interaction with the CD, that is more than just a few words, and most people will react politely .... especially restaurant personnel, bank tellers, cashiers, and SAs.

ReineD

I agree with this wholeheartedly. It is rare indeed for a genetic male to be able to pass as a genetic female and cross dressers and T-Girls should be aware of this. I have met several Thai and other south east Asian 'girls' who to western eyes look convincing but once you engage in them in conversation you realise that they are not what they seem. Also, men and women of the same nationality as these 'girls' would read them far more readily than us.

I should add that this should not stop us girls from dressing and being feminine - only that we should be aware of our limitations and realise that reality is not the same as the fantasy of our dreams.

Claire

xxx

[audreyinalbany]

It was probably one of the first times I was out dressed. I went to a T-friendly bar not far from here and had a lovely time visiting with the woman tending bar. I felt completely accepted and welcome.

[Kaz]

This is hard and I can see that for most people it was being out. I take on board what Reine has said and this is what primarily stops me from getting out... or rather the fear associated with it. But I remember three big occasions. Setting off from home 'en femme' and driving 250 miles, with stops to a serviced apartment I was renting for the night, and arriving and getting everything sorted, with people about everywhere... getting in, getting changed and refreshed and then popping out for a walkabout and then coming back and taking some pics of a very happy me! The second time was similar... cut more daring... checking out of a hotel en femme and driving home, stopping for petrol, going on a walkabout at what we call a retail park.. it's like a mall but it is outside... being seen by dozens and dozens of people and being treated as anyone else, then driving to a city en route home and going walkabout there, then driving home. The third... I woke up dressed and in my make-up (I'd fallen asleep) in a serviced apartment and realised that I needed to put some money in the carpark meter like 5 minutes ago! I looked out of the window and the attendant's van was pulling into the car park. The street was humming with people on their way to work. I renewed my make-up changed clothes and literally ran in my heels to beat the parking fine. When I got back to my room I just cracked up!

OK... I am not Kimberley or any of you brilliant girls who get out a lot, but happy times that I was able to be in public as Kaz and no-one gave me any grief at all, even at very close quarter (like in a lift! That was scary!).

[anda_mouse]

mine was the one time i went out to a club dressed and went to the restroom. after i did my business i got to look in the mirror and fix my lipstick up a bit.....felt sureal.

[rassupo]

I had so many moments in my life, where I was proud to be a girl. May these moments never have an end :-) (http://www.purenature24.com/shop/k106/real-purity-cosmetics.html)

[ReineD]

I should add that this should not stop us girls from dressing and being feminine - only that we should be aware of our limitations and realise that reality is not the same as the fantasy of our dreams.


I take on board what Reine has said and this is what primarily stops me from getting out... or rather the fear associated with it.

My point though, is that others knowing you are not a genetic woman need NOT be a limitation.

It's hard to explain but I'll try. Most of us, men, women, trans, or cis are biased about a number of things that we know little about and like it or not, we are informed by stereotypes until we experience otherwise. It's just human nature. For example if I don't know any alcoholics, I may well believe that an alcoholic is an unproductive member of society who lives under a bridge, drinking all day from a bottle in a paper bag, or he may be a rageful man who beats up on his wife and kids regularly, or she may be a loose floozy at a bar who abandons her kids and will do anything for booze. But, if I meet alcoholics at an AA meeting who have careers, families, and lives just like mine, and I talk to them about their struggles or what they needed to overcome in order to become sober, my "idea" of alcoholics will be altered. I will lose my bias. When once I may have thought alcoholics were weak willed, sinful, or otherwise sub-par, I may now understand the disease concept, appreciate their struggles, and celebrate their successes.

Same thing with TGs. Many people who don't know better may well think, based on media stereotypes, that CDs perversely dress for sex, or they are predators, or goodness knows what else. But, if they work at a cafe where a CD comes in regularly to read the paper or work on her laptop just like everyone else, and over time they get to know and talk to the CD, their perceptions will change.

It takes having an actual experience, talking to someone face-to-face, in order to dispel misconceptions. Mental images leave the realm of the sketchy unknown when you are presented with a likable CD who obviously displays the same humanity as everyone else and you also discover this person is not threatening.

Some people may not be able to get over their bias, this is true. But, many will, and the rewards are astounding. And those who can't will pass you by without saying anything and will go on their merry way. Or, it may take them a little longer to learn to trust you, but eventually maybe they could too.

Also, when you do go out dressed you will discover that others will treat you with respect. Despite their knowing that you are not a genetic woman after they get to know you, you will discover they will treat you just the same as they treat me, a genetic woman. I think you will also lose this abstract, exalted idea that being a woman is somehow a gateway to being universally adored (forgive me if I'm describing the fantasy in an exaggerated way), since you will discover that women aren't treated all that different than men, at least by the people in public you will interact with. And this might make it easier to balance your male and female lives. Well, whether or not you will more easily balance your lives is not for me to say, but it just makes sense to me based on my SO's experience.

(Since we have many people reading this thread who are TS, I do want to say that my comments are addressed to CDs or dualgenders. Obviously a TS is a woman who has no desire to balance a male life with her female self.)

As Claire says, the reality of getting to know people en femme is not the fantasy of your dreams, but this is not a bad thing ... unless of course someone prefers the excitement of the fantasy. :)

[Kaz]

I will apply equal caution to my response... I am a CD... and I accept everyone... if I offend anyone with what I say or might say... I apologise and we need to talk, because no offense is intended...

There is a guy at work who is trying to transition... I feel that I need to help him. This affects me more than my need to 'play out'? If I can make it work for him/her I will be enormously satisfied.. is this avoidance, transference, or just a good thing to do?

I have had some happy moments... others need to too.

[Claire96c]

I hope we all have happy moments from cross dressing - it should makes us happy otherwise why bother. I realise that some girls who want to transition will not get much joy from dressing alone because it is not enough and they want to be a real girl. Also, I suspect there are some unhappy males who erroneously believe that it they were to become female all their problems would be solved and it would be a happy-ever-after ending. Sadly, this does not always work and there have been cases of post-op male-to-female cases wanting to revert to being male.

Being happy is about having realistic expectations and accepting life's limitations. If CDs and T-girls want to dress and be treated as women then this is great but they should not expect to be able to pass convincingly as genetic girls in most cases. I adore dressing as a little girl - amongst other roles - but I know full well I could never pass as one in public. In private it gives me great pleasure especially if I am with sympathetic friends who accept and treat me as a five year old but I know it is only role play and not reality.

Claire

xx

[Franki Kate]

30 years ago, walking on Rodeo Drive in LA, with my wife.

[Shelly67]

Think mine was telling my wife , and there wasn't an explosion .
The relief was almost enough to liken it to a moment prior to fainting , legs went to jelly , the blood heading south at lightspeed .
Strange thing is , the fireworks started a few days later , goodness the rows , the questions . Guy Fawkes would have been proud .
Fast foward to today ..... theres several moments of feeling so happy .... but I'm too much of a gentlelady(man) to elaborate .

[Heisthebride]

Several years back a friend got her veil back from the cleaners and that somehow came up as her suggesting I borrow it and come to Halloween as a bride. Unknown to her, I am a crossdresser. How could I say no.

I spent several months getting ready, even had two guy friends as bridesmaids. Sure it was Halloween, but getting a full makeover, wearing lingerie and a wedding dress that I loved and walking and talking with all my friends dressed as a bride was truly a great experience. No one thought twice about it, total acceptance.

[kristinacd55]

Going out to a club with my new tg friends and having a blast!! :) Danced up a storm!

[Mistybtm]

My first date with a man with me being fully dressed and treated like a woman from start to finish ;)

[Cindy Louise]

Being called Ma'am twice in Walmart when I wasn't even trying just shorts, tee, thongs and ultra light makeup without a wig just my own short hair brushed differently.

[BlondeFarrah]

My happiest moment? ..when my wife put my make up for very first time. I was dressed up with a black dress, hosery, high heels and my blonde wig and she made an excellent job.

[adriane]

I was at a career night for my old college. (dressed of course, as I am partially but not totally out as of yet) A woman who I was talking to prior to the event (at a meet and greet session with all of the other volunteers for the night) told me how good I looked that night in front of some other women, who agreed with her. I am definately not perfect, and I know that I do not totally pass for a woman, but wow, did that make me feel good! It was also quite a shot of confidence for me before the event started.

[NV Susan]

Although it's been 20 years ago I remember like it was yesterday.......
I went out of town for a girl weekend by myself. I was at a club sitting at the bar just enjoying myself, felling very feminine and having a cocktail. As I was about to order another cocktail a very cute guy sat next to me and offered to buy me a drink. I accepted and we ended up spending a wonderful weekend together.

[Jessica Ames]

My happiest moment out as Jessica had to be at a bar with my wife. We were both getting a lot of looks, but we were walking through the crowd and a guy put his hand on my waist and said something. It was too loud to hear him, and I was a little startled, as I'm not into guys, but it felt so great to be attractive enough to get hit on. My wife laughed at me because I sort of freaked out because I didnt know how to react.