BadTranny: "Imagine if you won the lottery but you were unable to say anything for a year. You would be happy, excited, content, and looking forward to your future and you wouldn't have to say a thing for people to notice the difference in your attitude."

Those words ring very true to me. As a very late starter I went from zero to out in the real world in a very short few months. My main obstacle to not going out sooner was the lack of a good sidekick who could ride shotgun during my first steps. I really knew nothing about this trip when I was first embarking on it 5 years ago. I can say now, my main advantages over most other CD's still struggling to leave the house include my age and hopefully corresponding maturity, a successful bout with cancer that helped me better appreciate that old saying "Live each day as if it is your last", living in a very diversity accepting and tolerating location, and probably my ability to look at things pragmatically (thanks Mom) and logically (thanks engineering education). I have learned through life experiences good and bad to only really worry about that which I can do something about.

Now, back to Melissa's words. Ever since I started this unquestionably and accepted that this was part of my life whether I wanted it or not, I live those words almost every time I go out when I pause for a moment of wonder to wonder in amazement that I am a man dressed as a woman, trying to act like one, am out in the real world talking to complete strangers and really having one of the best repeatable times of my life. Repeatable in the sense that some things are fantastic but will probably not be experienced very often, while me dressing up and out happens 1 - 2 times a week.

I know that a lot of society may have a negative view of what we are doing, but as Melissa said, the true chances for most of us to run into and experience that negativity is truly pretty small. The same can be said for the dangers of being out dressed a woman. Shit happens when we least expect it. With proper precautions and street smarts, it really comes down to that rare coincidence when all things, including some bad luck, come together at the same time, like the Perfect Storm.

When a lot of people here talk about coming out, I think in the context of this thread, it really means going out of the house into the real world. I am out in that sense, way out. However, I still have my safe "no Allie" zone and situations that I respect. None of my friends, family nor ex-work mates know, nor, more importantly, need to know at this time.

All this being said, my message here is that yes, there is negativity out in the real world, but, and it is a big but, you will probably never experience it on any large scale nor with potential dangerous consequences if those that never have gone out decide to experience the freedom of being yourself in front of complete strangers. My recommendation is that if you want to go out, plan for it, toughen up your emotional sensitive skin some, find a partner in crime and try it. You will definitely like it.