Quote Originally Posted by Jorja View Post
I have just sat here reading all the posts in this thread. Is it any wonder we are a misunderstood lot? We can't even agree whether or not it is ok to stay in the closet or to go out and about. I am quickly approaching my 50 year anniversary from the time I really started dressing as a CD to now as a TS woman. So many things have changed in that time. Then you would have been shot on site or lynched if you were brave enough to stroll down the street in womans clothing. Now, they hardly bat an eye. Yes, there are the hecklers out there but even they are becoming less and less.
We all have our comfort level and reasons. It is a matter of personal choice as to whether or not we stay in or go out. If you chose to stay in, you are just as much a CD and sister as you are if you chose to go out. To those who have said you stay in out of respect for your SO, I respect and admire you for your devotion to your SO. For those that can't grasp this logic, be on your merry way and go enjoy your time out and about. In the end we are all in the same boat. We love to dress as a woman.
Thank you for some sanity in this incredibly polarizing post. This is both well said and greatly appreciated.

I choose to stay in the closet because I don't want people I love to have to deal with the issues surrounding my gender issues. Even if my family and friends accept me, society is a cruel bitch that will put them through the ringer just as much as me. I am a big gurl and can deal with this crap myself but nobody else should have to carry that burden for me.

To call anyone names is immature and counter productive. It doesn't produce any result other than resentment. If we as a community cannot come to grips with each other's position in the gender spectrum, we can never hope the rest of society will ever make that leap. We owe each other mutual respect at the very least and maybe more compassion than what is being weilded around in this post. We are not in high school anymore and shouldn't be stacking up the groups of popular kids and rejects so there are people to point and laugh at.

About being in a war and some watching from the sidelines, wtf does this even have to do with cders in the closet and those who go out? If this is a war, it is being fought in so many closets around the globe they can't even be counted. For those thinking they are on the front lines, you do so by choice but remember, every war has front lines and rear support all on the same team.

Kum bah ya - I'm just sayin' is all