So far most of my admissions to people that I'm a crossdresser have come about because of the conflict in my relationship.
I came out to my mother when discussing the several topics of conflict with my girlfriend. I had wanted to for so long and it just blurted out half-unconciously. She was a little awkward about it but quite caring and supportive.
A gay friend of the family who I've known for more than 18 years was next. He had a lot of insight and has been very good to talk to.
Then during arguments my girfriend developed a new dirty tactic, sending sms's to my closest friend of 15 years (who unfortunatly now lives on the other side of the continent) that were hinting in a nasty and dubious manner about the issues and claiming I was being all sorts of expletives and asking him to 'talk sense into' me. So when he asked what it was about I told him all the issues. He was not phased in the slightest.
Now she's done it again with another friend who I've known for 13 or 14 years. She has known him from before she and I met but she's only known him 6 or 7 years. Now while I wouldn't come out to her own friends and family as I wouldn't want to affect her friendships etc (and respect that it should be her decision who of her family/friends she tells) I've known this guy and most of his family well for a long long time and I'm sure he won't spread the news or affect his friendship with her. So I tell him all the issues the fights have been over including that I crossdress.
He knows me well enough to say 'well it's not like you'd be parading around town in a prom dress with her as she might be embarassed'. Another supportive and considerate reaction. None turning hostile or thinking poorly of my girlfriend just being compassionate for the dilemma. None of the hostile reaction she may have expected from them and none of the awkward distancing I had feared might occur.
Alas I'm not to sure about my other close male friend as he can be a bit judgemental so I'm not sure what his reaction might be though she won't use the tactic with him as he doesn't use a mobile. I'm also unsure with my father who, while being generally an accepting freethinker has a squeemish reaction to homosexuality and I don't know how he is about transgender.
Roberta 
