Good morning,
Before I begin my story about my bf and I, I would like to say how awesome it is to have places like this to talk about these things openly, and how wonderfully supportive you all are of and for each other (from what I've read). I hope it's alright to ask for some of that same support... ?
I am very new to all of this, as my bf just recently told me he's a crossdresser (for 25 plus years), and it set my mind into overdrive... When he told me, he gave me as much background information as he felt he could; He told me of past abuse that led him to crossdressing; He told me of his failed marriage due to it, and how another gf tried to use it against him, in a way. All very traumatic, all very sad. I don't want to divulge too much of his personal history, as it is not my place to do so, and I want to remain respectful of that. I will say that he has been through therapy to help him deal with his past and such, though.
I suppose it may also be relevant to know that we have not been dating very long, just over a few months. I am in my late 30s', he's mid-40's. We both have children (me 2 / him 1). We have opened up to one another and expressed that we love the other and see this as being more. I think perhaps some of you may feel that because of the newness and whatnot's it may not matter, but I love this man and want to be with him, and I want to accept this part of who he is.
When he told me all of this and showed me pictures of himself dressed (somewhat provocatively) as a women, I was stunned (he's also very pretty, btw ). He had told me the day before that there was something important we needed to talk about, and while my mind raced with possibilities, I'll admit, this wasn't one of them. I told him how much I appreciated him being so open and honest with me, and while I was not horrified or disgusted at all, I was thinking "Okay, where do we go from here? and Can I be alright with this?", and once again, my mind started racing.
He quickly, without my even asking, let me know that he is not gay, he is not going to be transitioning into a female, as for him this is not what it's about, and some other pertinent information he thought I should know. I suppose it was the typical tempered responses to some of the common thoughts, questions and/or 'fears' that typically come from SO's. He also told me that he would gladly answer any questions I had. At the time I had a couple, but was too busy absorbing to come up with much.
After our lengthy talk, we went on about our day, but later that evening I asked him how he was and how he felt our talk went. I was honestly worried he would think I wouldn't be able to handle it, and wanted to ease his mind a bit, as well as my own. We had another heart to heart and this time he told me that he wanted to tell me now because he sees a future for us and wanted to make sure he was upfront with me about this so I could basically make up my mind now whether it was too much and I wanted to part ways or if it was something I felt I could deal with and we could make it work, which we both want. He also told me he wanted it to come from him, not to be discovered through some other means.
In the following days I wrote him a poem trying to express to him my feelings about what he'd shared and I wrote him a very lengthy email (Mammoth was my description of it) sharing my thoughts and asking all sorts of questions. I also joined this site (just now getting approved to post), have been reading a ton of other sites, blogs, forums, etc., as much information as I can... I told him I have never dealt with this on such a personal, intimate level, and asked for a little understanding in that regard. I thanked him for being so open and honest, and I asked him if it would be alright if I talked to other people about this (which he supports), and I told him I joined this particular forum. I won't go into all the details, as this is quite long enough already, but I ended it by telling him how much I loved and odored him, and thanked him once more for his honesty. He responded in kind, and did his best to answer my questions, which I appreciated.
I have since told him that I wanted to talk about it again, but I would like to do it in a way where we remove the traumatic and negative experiences he's had with it, and talk about the positive (I hope this was a good idea???). I told him I would like him to tell me what he likes about it, what he enjoys, how it makes him feel... I told him I don't just want to tolerate it, but I want to support and accept this part of him, and I mean that.
I have talked to a couple family members and one very close friend, all of whom have been wonderful (which I expected from these particular people), and while that's been helpful, I thought this was a good way to express myself too. I know there is still so much to consider and learn, and reading both sides of peoples experiences has been eye opening. I know there are women who are (or seem) alright with this one minute, but not the next (which I also told him I was afraid of), and some are quite open and help with the transformation, while others don't want to know about it at all... so, so much... One of the first things I told him after reading about others stories is how upset and even angered I was when women were less than supportive and even ended relationships and/or broke up marriages and families because of this (including his own). I told him that it was these initial thoughts that led me to believe and feel I was alright with his crossdressing.
I suppose, for myself, I am just looking for ways to be the most supportive I can for him, and from him I still need to keep asking questions and I know that he'll be the one who can answer them, but again, this is still all so very new to me, so any insight is appreciated.
I thank you for taking the time to read this, and look forward to hearing from any of you that care to respond, it would mean a lot.
-g