Alexandra,
Congrats! We are in similar places experience-wise. I have had the urges for years but just started going out in the last year and gaining more confidence each time. Although I agree it would be best if everyone realized that there are, in our society 'many crossdressers amongst us', it might increase acceptance.
But we have (most of us) hesitated all our lives to go public with good reason. Our hetero-normative masculine upbringing and societal influences are a tough mindset to overcome even for some of those that love us. Think of all those wives that, presumably, love their spouses, but "can't deal with" crossdressing. Some of these same wives have claimed that they would prefer their husbands have a drinking or gambling problem instead...like a 'normal' man.
Do what makes you happy, but tread carefully.
