Coming Out..in Your Avatar.

[Bernadina]

In case you're wondering the Avatar is that little picture thingy that shows up besides your message posts.

I know a lot us us girls have come out to at least posting a picture of ourselves in our Avatars. However, a whole lot of us are still in the Avatar posting closet so to speak.

How about taking a bold first step to coming out in public and at least putting a picture in your Avatar? It wouldn't even have to be a close-up face shot.

Maybe something to think about.

[Emily Ann Brown]

Interesting point Dina.....a journey begins with one step.

Emily Ann

[Ashley in Virginia]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period. I would never put a pic in it, so I can be like the rest of the sheep around here.

[Deborah]

Oh i don't know. I used to post my avatar pic here all the time and recently posted a full body shot of me in the picture gallery.

http://crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33106

The one i have now is just something different for a change.

[Ms. Donna]

Hi Bernadina,

Not a bad idea...

IMHO, I tend to look rather naff in pictures, so using one as my avatar is not something on which I'm keen. I do, however, have a profile pic for those who need to satisfy their morbid curiousity.

My avatar is Ranma Saotome (in girl form) - you can read more in this thread Screen-names - Avatars and the meaning behind them. Basically, when splashed with cold water, Ranma becomes a gilr, and changes back when splashed with hot water.

I use this avatar not just here, but on other (non-TG) forums as well. I figure that the otaku crowd kinda get's it when I have a 'girl' avatar and post as Mr. Rock.

oops...

Love & Stuff,
Donna

[Trisha]

i use mine will be putting a new one up soon

[Casey Morgan]

I know some of you are very hesitant to do that for a few reasons. Here are a few of those reasons, and why they may not be blocks after all. Feel free to add your own. (While I'm editing a spelling mistake, let me say that this took some time to write. When I hit the Submit button all I could see were Bernadina's and Emily Ann's posts. None of these reasons should be construed as being directed at anyone. [Sorry Donna.])

True: "My SO/kids/boss/etc. will see my avatar. Most of the site is open to non-members, after all."
But: First you have to find this site. Then you have to click on a section and then a thread before you see any avatars. They have to be pretty determined to get that far. I have yet to hear of anybody being outted because someone else found their avatar.

True: "I don't have a digital camera. I'm not about to outted because I got my film developed."
But: Inexpensive ($20 USD) digital cameras are out there.

True: "Those inexpensive cameras don't have a self-timer."
But: You can take a picture of yourself in the mirror. It may not be studio quality but it works.

True: "Those inexpensive cameras take small pictures."
But: Small pictures are perfect for the internet.

True: "I don't wear makeup."
But: We don't care. Honestly.

True: "I look like a man in a dress/woman in a tux."
But: We don't care. Honestly.

True: "I don't have a wig. / My hair is too long/the wrong style/etc."
But: We don't care. Honestly.

True: "I hate looking at pictures of myself."
But: You get used to it. And you start to see yourself in other pictures the way others see you. You start to develop a new image about how you look.

True: "It's a scary thought."
But: It is a scary thought but it's a great feeling when you take that step.

[BlueKat]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period.

Good Point...
Anyone can post anyone's pic in an avatar. People have no way of knowing if it's really you.

[Tina Dixon]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period. I would never put a pic in it, so I can be like the rest of the sheep around here.

LOL, love your attitude

[Amelie]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period. I would never put a pic in it, so I can be like the rest of the sheep around here.

I thought that was you in the avatar.


Yea, it doesn't matter what a person uses for an avatar, it's their words that I care about. But maybe for some cds who are trying to get out of the closet, this could be one way to do so, one step out.

[Nikki Dee]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period. I would never put a pic in it, so I can be like the rest of the sheep around here.

Whilst I agree with your basic principle love...you shouldn't assume that anyone who does want to have a pic. of themselves as their avatar is a sheep.!!!...we all have the same rights.!!
Nikki.

[JoAnnDallas]

The only point I see about posting a picture of yourself as your avatar is it allows others to see the real you. Other than that, it makes no difference what you use as your avatar.

[KateW]

I fully support those who have posted their real pics online, and I have infinate respect for all of you, but I have no need or desire for the whole planet to know my business, as I see it as quite a personal thing. If I were to dress full time it would be a different matter though...

[Breanne]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period. I would never put a pic in it, so I can be like the rest of the sheep around here.

Nobody forces you to post an avatar picture, and what's wrong with inviting members to do so?

[susann_gardener]

I know some of you are very hesitant to do that for a few reasons. Here are a few of those reasons, and why they may not be blocks after all. Feel free to add your own. (While I'm editing a spelling mistake, let me say that this took some time to write. When I hit the Submit button all I could see were Bernadina's and Emily Ann's posts. None of these reasons should be construed as being directed at anyone. [Sorry Donna.])

True: "My SO/kids/boss/etc. will see my avatar. Most of the site is open to non-members, after all."
But: First you have to find this site. Then you have to click on a section and then a thread before you see any avatars. They have to be pretty determined to get that far. I have yet to hear of anybody being outted because someone else found their avatar.

True: "I don't have a digital camera. I'm not about to outted because I got my film developed."
But: Inexpensive ($20 USD) digital cameras are out there.

True: "Those inexpensive cameras don't have a self-timer."
But: You can take a picture of yourself in the mirror. It may not be studio quality but it works.

True: "Those inexpensive cameras take small pictures."
But: Small pictures are perfect for the internet.

True: "I don't wear makeup."
But: We don't care. Honestly.

True: "I look like a man in a dress/woman in a tux."
But: We don't care. Honestly.

True: "I don't have a wig. / My hair is too long/the wrong style/etc."
But: We don't care. Honestly.

True: "I hate looking at pictures of myself."
But: You get used to it. And you start to see yourself in other pictures the way others see you. You start to develop a new image about how you look.

True: "It's a scary thought."
But: It is a scary thought but it's a great feeling when you take that step.

Well, Shari Ann
Have you ever Googled your fem name? I did yours, and, well, lets see...

How do you see yourself? All Welcome to Respond - Crossdressers.comShari_Ann's Avatar. Join Date: Mar 2006. Location: Rochester, NY USA ... Shari Ann doesn't have all that baggage because oddly enough most of it was never ...
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/...d.php?p=461686 - 115k - Cached - Similar pages


Is it just me - Crossdressers.comShari_Ann's Avatar. Join Date: Mar 2006. Location: Rochester, NY USA ... Shari Ann Bottom line: no matter the type of clothes I wear or the gender of the ...
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/...ad.php?t=27801 - 110k - Cached - Similar pages

So If your name is known, there is lots more info out there.
Just an FYI
Susann

[Janet_Johnson_cd]

Question: How does you girls see my Feme name, Janet Johnson.

[Ashley in Virginia]

Nobody forces you to post an avatar picture, and what's wrong with inviting members to do so?

Nothing at all.

What bothers me is the insinuation that if you dont have a profile picture, you aren't as out or as good as the ones that do. Bleh.

[Casey Morgan]

So If your name is known, there is lots more info out there.
Just an FYI
Susann

Very true. But if you knew the nick I've used on other forums in the past you'd know all sorts of things about me. Once it's known all pretense at anonymity is lost. The trick is you have to know my name ahead of time.

Unless you're very careful about what you say, anybody who knows you can Google your nick and figure out who you are. And being that careful kind of defeats the purpose of this site IMO.

[Ms. Donna]

Nothing at all.

What bothers me is the insinuation that if you dont have a profile picture, you aren't as out or as good as the ones that do. Bleh.

FWIW, I love your avatar.

As for pics, there is litterally a handful of me out there - and even that's too many.

Love & Stuff,
Donna

[swiss_susan]

Where does it say that your avatar has to be a picture of you? I cant stand it when people post crap like this. My avatar is my avatar. period. I would never put a pic in it, so I can be like the rest of the sheep around here.

It dosen't. Not even in this thread so quit being so negative because someone made a suggestion you don't approve of

Susan

[tekla west]

I use a pic I took at Coachella this year. I even got it published in LA paper. (I got high friends in low places, so a photo pass was easy.) I'm proud of it, and (even though I'm not wild about her music) I dig Madonna as a woman, as a performer, as a person. So I will stick with her for a bit more.

[Ashley in Virginia]

It dosen't. Not even in this thread so quit being so negative because someone made a suggestion you don't approve of

Susan

Thats your opinion, and it is cool. I have mine.

I know a lot us us girls have come out to at least posting a picture of ourselves in our Avatars. However, a whole lot of us are still in the Avatar posting closet so to speak.

How about taking a bold first step to coming out in public and at least putting a picture in your Avatar? It wouldn't even have to be a close-up face shot.

To me an avatar is provided as a space for you to place something that is an expression of you. Thats it. It isnt intended for any specific item. And I dont like the notion of being told that I, or any one else, is less "out" or less anything else because we chose to put something else in there. There is a place for pics already. I have put my fair share in there, and I dont mind doing it.

I dont post just to hear myself talk. Well sometimes I do, but this isnt it. I just dont like being put in a neat little box and being just like the next person.

[GG Vanya]

In case you're wondering the Avatar is that little picture thingy that shows up besides your message posts.

I know a lot us us girls have come out to at least posting a picture of ourselves in our Avatars. However, a whole lot of us are still in the Avatar posting closet so to speak.

How about taking a bold first step to coming out in public and at least putting a picture in your Avatar? It wouldn't even have to be a close-up face shot.

Maybe something to think about.

Please consider that some of us, both CD and GG, quietly go about our lives, with no need to prove anything to anyone, nor do we need validation from anyone.

I think the avatar I chose is representative of me as a person, not as a face. Besides, if I posted my picture, being so ravishingly beautiful, the green eyed monster would most likely rear its head and run me off the forum! <super smirk>

[Julie Avery]

Get back to me when you're 52 and fat.

[janedoe311]

Need I say more?