Let me know your thoughts

[Anne Elizabeth]

The following I got as a reply form a friend. Just want to know your thoughts on this.

I agree that hiding or denying part of yourself - - lacks integrity. But it seems to me that this is different from being a phony. This kind of inauthenticity is forced on you - unlike people who lie and manipulate to get what they want, you have had to hide and pretend to protect yourself and your family. That seems completely different. This inner conflict often leads to feelings of unworthiness - which is really a kind of cruel trick when you think about it: You're forced into pretending to be something other than your true self, then punished for not being your true self.

Anne

[Cheryl123]

Yes Anne, yes. For me it works like this. You hate the person you try to be because "he" is not you. And if anyone should like this person, you discount their feelings because after all they are liking someone who is not real,who is a big fake. And the real you -- the woman in a man's body -- you see how the world despises you. And you absorb the world's hatred of your true self. And so you hate the person you try to be and you hate the person you really are. It's not that your are punished .. you punish yourself -- that's the cruel trick. I wish you well, my friend.

[trisha kobichenko]

Interesting take. I haven''t heard our 'situation/predicament/desire/presentation' phrased in quite that way. But I think I like it.
Hugs,
Trish

[Aimee20]

I agree completely. The shield we put up to protect us from the outside world causes huge feelings of low self worth, this turns around and compounds the mental anguish suffered by those with GD.

Nebraska hugs btw

[Steph_CD_62]

I believe here in Nebraska we have to hide and protect ourselves. I have not seen any acceptance for crossdressers here except from other crossdressers, however I wish things would change.

[traci_k]

Anne, Hug them. They get it.

Hugs,