OK Girls, I think I have finally figured this thing out!

[donnalee]

It's pretty simple. I like to wear women's clothes. I am not trying to imitate or be a woman although I love women, am attracted to women and they have many traits that I admire and share. I have a face that looks ludicrous with makeup on it, and I am not attracted to women with obvious makeup, although I have some very attractive facial characteristics that are normally considered female and in fact look a great deal like my mother did. The fact is I've never had a great deal of commitment to any particular gender or gender identity; I was brought up male because that's my main physical appearance, but there are female characteristics too. I excelled at math and science, but music is my main love and my career for most of my life; it was only health problems that led me to seek employment by others using the science skills I have; I much prefer running my own business, but this allowed me to obtain medical care and enough of a retirement income to sustain myself.
In the end, I am ME, and good, bad or indifferent, that's who I will remain. It's taken me 9 years since I first realized and admitted that I had the characteristics that brought me here 7 years ago; I want to thank all those who's willingness to share their lives showed me some of the many ways there are to be human.
But I have started going out as me (details in another post) and most people have been nothing but courteous (although I have heard a few snide sotto voice comments); in total, they like, or at least, tolerate me, and as for the rest, screw 'em. I am physically able to defend myself if need be, have lived in tough neighborhoods and towns most of my life and believe dressing makes me no more vulnerable than otherwise so do not worry about physical danger; trans folks are given at least lip service by local government, (predatory here in the extreme) something I have had far more trouble with than crime. Society has indeed changed for the better regarding us in the last few years and younger people are far more accepting.
(I also reserve the right to change my opinion as information is updated, but think I've got things pretty close to right for now.)
What do you think?

[bridget thronton]

Self-actualization is good - congrats

[Kristy 56]

I'm thinking that you're feeling good about yourself,and that's a good place to be ��

[Dana44]

Donnalee, great insight. I have had a similar life. I was a global expert for a company that was worldwide. I excelled in the sciences and after all that I am a writer. Deep creation thinking. I also have creative thinking for business and technology. I do play guitar and music is important to me. I have always beat to my own drum. I have had feminine traits all of my life. I also like to dress in women clothes. I don't quit know why yet I feel comfortable wen I am dressed. I'm in a tough area to dress also as Texas is pretty straight. My So and I do go out and have not had any problems yet. I do stay in shape and can defend myself also. Need to brush up on karate though.

[RADER]

Donnalee;
I can see your point, and say for the most part I am on a similar page.
I am great in math, worked all my life as a Carpenter, Have been into
wearing womans clothes since I was 4 or 5 years old.
I was self employed on a part time bases, mainly to double my wages.
I was given the tasks and got a reputation for doing the hard projects,
Witch I loved, most could not Cut A Roof" that was different and challenging.
Later I went into building round stairs.
I was very fortunate to meet a wonderful girl that was OK with my dressing,
In fact she would buy me things to wear.
Now that I am retired, I can live off all my hard work and enjoy wearing a dress
any time I want. My wife often said she was very lucky to find a Husband as caring
as me.
She said the by my dressing, gave me an in-site on how to treat a lady.
Yes, I do not regret anything, except that I wish I was thinner.
Rader

[CynthiaD]

As a side note, I've been following the issue of women in mathematics for several decades. It turns out that the idea that women are less skilled in mathematics than men is just an urban myth. The assumption was based on anecdotes rather than on scientific data. With the advent of the "no child left behind" programs, the myth was debunked. These programs mandated the collection of massive amounts of data, and according to this data there is no difference in mathematical ability between males and females at any age.

Furthermore, statistical data showing average abilities of various groups cannot be applied to individuals. Exceptional individuals arise from everywhere.

[docrobbysherry]

I believe we have a number of things in common, Donnalee. I'm semi retired and have been self employed for 40 years.

I came out of my vacuum dressing closet here 7 years ago, too. And, it took me until recently to figure it out.

Like u, I do not like the way I look in the mirror. Unlike u, I refuse to look like that if I have a choice. I have little or no desire to go out dressed in vanilla land where I must endure ridicule, discrimination, or at best, forced/fake toleration. I find that unecessarily stressful:eek:

I'm a closet dresser. Where I can happily dress exactly as I please. With no negativity or concerns about what others think.:devil:

[donnalee]

Thanks for all your responses.
Self-actualization is good - congratsActually, I think it's more self realization.


I'm thinking that you're feeling good about yourself,and that's a good place to be �� It is indeed, but I couldn't have done it without the help of this site and it's members.


Donnalee, great insight. I have had a similar life. I was a global expert for a company that was worldwide. I excelled in the sciences and after all that I am a writer. Deep creation thinking. I also have creative thinking for business and technology. I do play guitar and music is important to me. I have always beat to my own drum. I have had feminine traits all of my life. I also like to dress in women clothes. I don't quit know why yet I feel comfortable wen I am dressed. I'm in a tough area to dress also as Texas is pretty straight. My So and I do go out and have not had any problems yet. I do stay in shape and can defend myself also. Need to brush up on karate though.Although I prefer other means, it does wonders for your self-confidence.


Donnalee;
I can see your point, and say for the most part I am on a similar page.
I am great in math, worked all my life as a Carpenter, Have been into
wearing womans clothes since I was 4 or 5 years old.
I was self employed on a part time bases, mainly to double my wages.
I was given the tasks and got a reputation for doing the hard projects,
Witch I loved, most could not Cut A Roof" that was different and challenging.
Later I went into building round stairs.
I was very fortunate to meet a wonderful girl that was OK with my dressing,
In fact she would buy me things to wear.
Now that I am retired, I can live off all my hard work and enjoy wearing a dress
any time I want. My wife often said she was very lucky to find a Husband as caring
as me.
She said the by my dressing, gave me an in-site on how to treat a lady.
Yes, I do not regret anything, except that I wish I was thinner.
RaderMe too, but I am working on it; always loved circular stairs!


As a side note, I've been following the issue of women in mathematics for several decades. It turns out that the idea that women are less skilled in mathematics than men is just an urban myth. The assumption was based on anecdotes rather than on scientific data. With the advent of the "no child left behind" programs, the myth was debunked. These programs mandated the collection of massive amounts of data, and according to this data there is no difference in mathematical ability between males and females at any age.

Furthermore, statistical data showing average abilities of various groups cannot be applied to individuals. Exceptional individuals arise from everywhere. I totally agree with that, but was referring to common stereotypes.


I believe we have a number of things in common, Donnalee. I'm semi retired and have been self employed for 40 years.

I came out of my vacuum dressing closet here 7 years ago, too. And, it took me until recently to figure it out.

Like u, I do not like the way I look in the mirror. Unlike u, I refuse to look like that if I have a choice. I have little or no desire to go out dressed in vanilla land where I must endure ridicule, discrimination, or at best, forced/fake toleration. I find that unecessarily stressful:eek:

I'm a closet dresser. Where I can happily dress exactly as I please. With no negativity or concerns about what others think.:devil:To each their own.