It was almost exactly one year ago that I finally, after untold months of dithering, fretting, and outright paranoia, managed to disclose to my fiancee Sabrina my nature as a crossdresser, and the existence of this other self of mine that goes by the name "Amy." So...how did I get from there to here, and where do I go from here?
At the time I came out to Sabrina, I was still rather deeply in the closet. I had never ventured outside as Amy, and I didn't think that would ever happen. Within a week, I had taken my first steps beyond the front door, and I continued to venture out more and more, finally losing all fear of being out as Amy in May when I got my hair done as Amy. I have continued to do so since, becoming more comfortable at venues such as the Black Crown, and even being out in the open among the crowds at PrideFest.
It was only a few days after I came out that I posted my first pictures here. If you go look at all the pictures I've taken since then, I think you'll see distinct improvement in my presentation and makeup skills; I know I do. I've also gotten better at the "mechanics" of acting female, and especially continued to develop my Amy-voice, the one aspect of my presentation that seems to have garnered the most praise.
It was in March that I started attending the monthly meetups at the GIC, and I've done so regularly since then. This has culminated with my being asked to take over as the meetup's organizer as of this month. Obviously, I've set a good example, and I shall continue to do so.
What's most valuable to me is all the friends I've made, through this site, through Facebook, and in real life through the Meetup group and the Black Crown. I am quite a bit more social as Amy than I am as a male, and I, who never had any biological sisters, now have sisters that appreciate me, sisters that care about me, and (probably) even sisters that look up to me.
Would I have believed the kind of progress I've made in this past year, had you told me back then what the future would hold? Absolutely not! I'd have probably said you'd been smoking too much of certain substances which are now legal in Colorado!
So...now what?
Well, a few more milestones are coming up in short order. As part of assuming my new role in the meetup group, I have been asked to meet with the Program Director of the Gender Identity Center; this will probably happen sometime next week (not sure when, she's very busy). I will also soon be bringing my femme skills to work, as part of my attempt to win the Halloween costume contest with my witch outfit. Shortly thereafter, I'll be attending my first bachelorette party, for another CD that's getting married. It'll probably be a pretty wild affair!
I am also aware that I now have a greater role in the transgender community here in the Denver area and in Colorado; this carries with it certain social obligations. I plan on attending the Day of Remembrance observance, for instance, and the Colorado Gold Rush conference in February. I'll need to be on the lookout for possible guest speakers and topics for the meetup group. And, of course, I can't neglect my own feminine growth in the meantime.
One thing I won't be doing, though, is underestimating myself, since this past year has proven that I have more to myself, as a woman, than I dreamed possible.
This is just the beginning...
- Amy
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Originally Posted by Princess Grandpa
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