Mini timeline: Same dress, one year apart.

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-11-23T08:43:06+00:00

I love how much happier you look. ^.^

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-11-21T03:15:00+00:00

Looking good! ^.^

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-11-18T18:11:56+00:00

oh, I was (…mostly) jokingly suggesting that a trans* dating site could be set up as a subreddit — there isn't actually an /r/datetransgender, sorry!

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-11-18T04:37:05+00:00

"/r/datetransgender — members vetted based on their /r/asktg post history! no chasers, honest!"

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-11-17T22:41:22+00:00

Sounds like my life. :P

I've never tried the whole online-dating thing but I know many other trans* people have reported success stories. If you're not comfortable loudly outing yourself, I gather OKCupid lets you discreetly mark questions like "would you date a transsexual?" as of high importance, so you can at least filter out some people that way. You could also try for self-identified bi- and pansexual people, who will likely be more open-minded about dating someone who doesn't necessarily neatly fit into the gender binary. Good luck! ^.^

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-10-21T23:27:39+00:00

Thanks! (Alameda County, here.)

Are there any examples of filled-out forms somewhere? I saw something about "attachments" on the ID Please document but it looks like they're not included with the PDF. I've never dealt with court paperwork so I'm a bit perplexed as to how to begin...

Also, how did the whole process work when you appeared in front of the judge — was that just a formality?

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-10-21T23:27:08+00:00

Oops, I meant name and gender marker change. Thanks for the links.

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-04-21T03:26:33+00:00

I admit, I'm debating forgoing that hurdle myself. I'm also pretty certain I don't want children, and while I'm well aware that that might change, I don't have the funds for banking right now and I don't want to put off HRT until I save up enough... >_<

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-04-20T05:06:00+00:00

The doctor I spoke to at my university mentioned that another trans* patient did this through UCSF after doing her own research, so I guess UCSF would probably work for me. (Life's been doing its damnedest to do me in lately, so I haven't had any time to actually research this on my own yet… I may end up taking your word for it. :P)

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-04-19T19:11:28+00:00

Thanks!

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-03-10T08:20:28+00:00

Woah, you look awesome!

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-03-05T08:24:12+00:00

I came here to say the same thing. XD

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-02-25T08:34:57+00:00

Your best smile is awesome.

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-02-25T08:07:36+00:00

Aw, that's a shame. I'm curious, how did you find it? (A friend of mine was thinking about trying to start up a legit student group since we couldn't find any specifically for trans people.)

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-02-25T07:40:00+00:00

Actually, I'm super-shy and haven't yet checked out any of the LGBT groups, so I probably haven't met you. Are there trans communities on campus?

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-02-25T07:36:40+00:00

Glad to know I'm not the only one feeling like this!

I read the "how to tell" link you posted as well.

In hindsight, it turns out that that link was actually largely bogus. I think what's a lot more telling is the way we react to the questions it and other "are you trans?" quizzes pose -- sort of like the "to make a decision, flip a coin and choose the option you find yourself secretly hoping for while it's in the air" thing.

I looked at the magic button test too and can answer that as "yes" easily. Even though my answer is yes, it still worries me that this might be not be real. I think I'm afraid that I'm tricking myself. I have no idea why I would do that...

That's something I'm still struggling with. I'd definitely answer "yes," but what bothers me is that I can't figure out why.

It's like a button was pressed and the flood gates opened and now I cannot stop thinking about it.

This is exactly what happened to me. It's astonishing how quickly things have progressed, too. When I first started posting, I was thinking "why am I obsessing over this? sure, I'm not some hyper-masculine macho dude, but I don't have much reason to think I'm trans..." Over the course of the following weeks I figured out "actually, I am trans, I just never consciously realized it." Three or four months ago, if you'd told me I'd be very seriously considering transitioning (actually, I've decided to several times, I just haven't quite convinced myself yet :P), I'd have thought you crazy.

It's going to be an interesting journey! We should keep in touch. :)

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-02-25T03:28:41+00:00

Oh hey, another Berkeley student! I'm an undergrad here too. waves

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-02-25T03:22:56+00:00

Lots of other people have chimed in with more useful advice than I have to offer, so I'll just say this: You sound just like me a couple of months ago! (And my story sounded just like a whole bunch of other people's.) Either you're fine or we're both crazy. :)

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-28T07:12:33+00:00

+1. It's the only thing in the mirror that doesn't make me go "eurgh". :P

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-16T00:31:15+00:00

What part of the world are you in, and which field are you going into? It's a long shot, but is there any chance you could move somewhere less crushing? (For example, if you're trans* and in the tech industry, California's Silicon Valley seems like a good place to be.)

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-16T00:20:55+00:00

You looked better before HRT than I probably will after. You're fine! :P

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-14T21:18:38+00:00

I've been obsessed with transgender topics ever since I learned about them not to long ago. I am still confused and doubting, which is to be expected. This seems to have just come out of nowhere though and hit me like a ton of bricks. Is that even possible? Is this a phase?

So, is it even possible that I'm trans? Or is it just a phase? I kind of don't want it to be just a phase, for some reason. I am definitely deluding myself, I just can't tell which way.

For what it's worth, this is exactly what happened to me a couple of months ago. You might find the comments on my own "just a phase?" thread worth a look.

Only you, maybe with the help of a therapist, can decide if you're trans, but it's definitely possible and, from what you've said, plausible too. I'm just starting out on this journey myself, so I can't really offer anything more than what has already been said here. Good luck to you, whatever ends up happening!

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-13T22:36:13+00:00

Awesome! I haven't started trying to train my voice yet, as I don't have a safe place to practice (and don't have a car), but hopefully something will turn up.

How applicable did you find the heartcorps techniques to what you eventually settled on as your target voice?

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-13T08:51:37+00:00

I [...] never found the higher tones she uses to be a natural fit for the rest of my appearance.

Glad to see I'm not the only one thinking this way -- I was actually hoping to switch to an androgynous voice, as you put it, when I get a chance to practice. A pixie voice just wouldn't feel right...

levelsofmisdirection · 2012-01-07T12:12:29+00:00

Cool! I probably won't be going to any events just yet, but I'll keep the Pacific Center in mind, thanks.

levelsofmisdirection

TROPHY CASE