Quote Originally Posted by Helen_Highwater View Post
So my question is, if there?s no logical/practical reason for you not to go, for those for whom this would be there first time out in public, assuming you had a desire to go out in public, what would be the thing(s) that would keep you away? What is it that the little voice in your head says to deter you?
Helen,

If there were no practical reasons not to go (and there are plenty), I think the thing that would be holding me back would be a kind of 'social anxiety'.

I'm uncomfortable enough walking into a group of strangers and introducing myself when in male mode. The larger the group, the more uncomfortable I am.
Add in the feminine side, and I'm almost paralyzed. Personally, I would need someone I knew to come with me, to encourage me, support me, and (most importantly) help get me outta there if things start going sideways.

Also, there was the time I was to meet up with a CD group in a local club - and I was the only one who showed up!
Talk about uncomfortable...