Hi there, new SO seeking support!

    • 71 posts
    January 16, 2013 11:32 AM GMT
    Hi everyone. My husband recently told me he was tv and had been for many years. We've been together for nearly 5 years and married for one of those. I consider myself to be a very lucky girl to have finally fallen in love with such a lovely and loving boy (as I refer to him). For me, life really did begin at 40 !!! So, I guess it was a bit of a shock.. I felt a bit mislead, a bit cheated. Fortunately, I guess, we are a bit older and wiser - a bit of water under the bridge!! This makes me quite a bit more open and tolerant than I think has been his experience in the past. In the last few weeks I've have done a hell of a lot of reading and learning and talking. Quite a few tears too. But in theory, I don't have a problem with it at all. I just need a bit of time to get my head around it.
    Having said that, I have seen his photos and I think he is a stunning woman. I can't yet refer to him as her and don't quite feel ready to meet her in real life. Sorry about that! I'll get there.
    I don't really know what I want to know. I just wanted to find other SOs who could lend a bit of support.
    This is all a bit round the houses and not terribly well constructed which is typical of my thoughts right now. I am one minute totally fine about it, the next I am in tears again. I mean, it's not so bad when you can go out in your husband's dress and get compliments! He has good taste and really tries very hard to be the best. It shows in his photos, his choices of clothes, shoes, etc. He is a good man and I love him to bits and I just need time to see the woman inside.
    Anyone who has similar stories, please drop me a line!
    • 71 posts
    January 16, 2013 11:37 AM GMT
    Apologies for the overuse of 'bit' in that post!
    • 71 posts
    January 16, 2013 12:30 PM GMT
    Thanks Chrissie. The courage and willingness come from love I guess. We work better together. it's been a tough couple of weeks and I feel exhausted to be honest!
  • January 16, 2013 3:21 PM GMT

    Hiya Elle,

     

    Welcome, firstly the two ladies that manage this forum are themselves So's,  Lovely people, and great to talk to.

     

    Also I can understand your dissapointment and feeling of betrayal, not really what you signed up for.   It might be advisable to get your othe half to see a gender councellor.   Not all Transvestites, are transexual, and are quite content to just dress occasionally, getting to grips with their feminine side.   For some its a form of escapism,   Its a fact that some Soldiers who have witnessed horrific things, retreat into their feminine side to escape memories, find some relief and forget for a while the things they have witnessed, to some extent others do it just to escape the stresss of everyday life.   Many reasons, some of us are born with genetic variations that make us who we are,  But there are many transvestites here on the Gender Society that are happy and content just to be that.   Another problem that arises when people such as yourself find out things like this, an imediate reaction is, they think their partner must be gay or its a sexual gratification thing a fetish, that is also mostly untrue.  The majority of Transvestites are heterosexual,    However if they turn out to be a transexual and fancy men, logically they think as women, so if they preffered male partners then it follows they were still heterosexual, straight.

     

     Loadsa love Cristine Shye


    This post was edited by Cristine Jennifer Shye. BL at January 16, 2013 6:06 PM GMT
  • January 16, 2013 6:36 PM GMT

    Deleted


    This post was edited by Former Member at April 11, 2013 5:39 PM BST
    • 71 posts
    January 16, 2013 6:49 PM GMT
    Thank you so much Chrissie, Cristine and Nicola for your kind words... I take a lot of comfort from what you have said. I need to have a bit of a break for an hour or two but will reply! Thanks again.
    • 376 posts
    January 16, 2013 7:14 PM GMT

    Hi Elle. The man you fell in love with is still the same person. If you can think back , try to think why you fell in love with him. You "could" have fell in love with her. Love is a strange thing and your attraction to him way back could have and most likely been to his feminine side. (A gental caring side) I am refering to him as him out of respect for you but there is a her inside him. You have been brave even though others and I don't know you . Take care and I wish you both all the best .  x


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:04 PM GMT
    • 71 posts
    January 16, 2013 7:25 PM GMT
    Thank you Julia. Yes, I could have fallen for his feminine side...
    Apologies Chrissy for spelling your name wrong!
    Please don't think me rude not to reply at length now - I want to think about it and digest your very helpful messages first...
    • 434 posts
    January 17, 2013 3:06 AM GMT

    Elle, the person you married is the person you fell in love with. I am certain you would expect him/her to still love you if you were in the same situation. Love is a beautiful thing.


    This post was edited by Doanna Highland at January 17, 2013 3:14 AM GMT
    • 71 posts
    January 17, 2013 3:52 PM GMT
    Thanks so much to you all.
    The other day I felt like saying 'you have no idea what it's like!!!' (and stomping about slamming doors etc), but fortunately you do, and it has been a great help.
    As I said before, my feelings sort of ebb and flow. Today I can see the positive side of things. The constant thing is that I love my husband. It never crossed my mind that we'd do anything other than work through all this. Can't begin to imagine how scared he was to tell me but the fact that he felt he COULD tell me makes me feel happy.
    Julia, you are right... I see now so many aspects of him that I love are part of his feminine side.
    Nicola - I love your description of people and their dress sense! He has a very good eye for clothes and of course, this has been to my advantage over the years. He picks out things I'd never have gone for, but they look good. My own personal dresser!
    I know I am not quite there yet, I know I still can't refer to him as her. I'm working on it... I am very proud him, he looks good, amazing in fact.
    Maybe soon I can pluck up the courage to meet 'her' and make her a cuppa!

    I'm so glad I came in here..
    • 376 posts
    January 17, 2013 5:33 PM GMT

    Hi Elle. Yes we have an idea what its like but we are also individuals and everyone is different. What you see in your eyes is different to what others see ect. You being a genetic female knows that a females nature is far from a males.

     Females do not start wars , females rarely beat their husbands but it is common for a male to beat his wife. That was the side I was talking about , that gental side and one that cares "A rare thing in a male" Look upon it as a gift if you ever can , you have a man who can think as a woman maybe in more ways than you will ever know. Take care  x


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:04 PM GMT
    • Moderator
    • 121 posts
    January 17, 2013 7:13 PM GMT
    Helllllooooooooo peeps!!!!

    Thanx for the replies girls!
    Just wanted to say that I am not being a bad Mod and ignoring Elle! We are in contact via PM
  • January 18, 2013 1:05 PM GMT
    Hi Elle,

    You are very brave approaching us for help, this must have come as a great shock to you. There is a specialist site purely for the partners of trans people which I think you will find extremely useful. This is:-
    http://www.transpartners.co.uk
    It is an extremely well written site and has forums whereby you can talk to other women in your own situation and see how they coped.

    Good luck

    Carol xx
    • 71 posts
    January 18, 2013 1:59 PM GMT
    Thanks Carol, I've seen that site and read it from wall to wall!!! Not sure if you can help but I can't find any way to get to the forums there, or even a contact email.. Maybe it's because the screen displays differently on iPads? If anyone here happens to know how I can get in there, please let me know!
    • 71 posts
    January 18, 2013 2:07 PM GMT
    Problem solved.. The site doesn't work on iPads so I had to view it via my laptop....
    • 71 posts
    January 22, 2013 6:22 PM GMT
    hi again ladies...
    Whilst the transpartners site is great and very helpful... It isn't as busy as this. I don't know if I'll get a reply there. Anyway, I still don't know what I want to know.. Just that I feel I have lots of questions bubbling under that I can't articulate.
    I've been reading so much and all the recent media coverage has generated a lot of helpful information. (Also a hell of a lot of vile stuff that I'd rather not see).
    I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is to come out to your SOs, to live in our society with some of the bigots who are around. But I have also been heartened by the positive attitudes of some and the extremely well written articles in the press too.
    Well, when I can think of my questions, I'll come here first!
    Thanks for your help so far.
  • January 23, 2013 2:54 AM GMT
    Don't forget that your partner is probably very afraid right now is in a very vulnerable state. Having siad that, you are probably just as frightened and feel very vulnerable yourself - so it is very easy for both of you to feel heightened emotions at this time, so please give yourselves some time to work through this and explore what it means to both of you.

    Carol xx
    • Moderator
    • 121 posts
    January 24, 2013 8:07 PM GMT
    Elle sweety, talk to him/her. Talking talking talking is the way to go. Can you two set a time and place to have a proper chat. Even if its just a short one to get the ball rolling. There are lots and lots of things that you both need to say/ask. Good communication (aka lots of talking) is the way to go. Here if you need me
    • 71 posts
    January 24, 2013 8:29 PM GMT
    Fortunately, me and him talk alot. It's quite an open topic (until my head gets too full of information that is!)
    I can understand him wanting to talk about it, after all, it's been a secret for him for years. It's always good to hear from yourselves and the others SOs on the other site too.
    I just wonder where it will all lead to, what will happen? The future is a bit daunting, but then, isn't it always!
    Thanks..
    • 376 posts
    January 24, 2013 11:35 PM GMT

    Hi Elle. Maybe this may be of some comfort to you. I spent 23 years of my life with a genetic female partner . The only difference is she was aware of me being transexual from the start "but" That is what kept us together . She had previously been beaten by her ex husband. Sadly she suddenly passed away 8 years ago so its just me now but I am ok with that. Try to ignore the vile stuff you mentioned that is written about us . I will be puting our side of things to that shortly to try to take some of the negativity away . Someone needs to tell others yet again its not easy being the way we are . Take care  x


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:05 PM GMT
    • 71 posts
    January 29, 2013 9:48 PM GMT
    Hi Julia, thanks for your reply. Can't imagine what life would be like without your partner of 23 years. So sad that you have had to face problems in your life without her. (I saw your post about your neighbour).
    It really is helping me to read all the posts here (well, not all of them!! There are quite a few!)
    Thanks for taking the time to pop in here and say hi.
    x
    • 376 posts
    January 29, 2013 10:42 PM GMT

    Hi Elle. Thank you but its ok about my partner I have my memories. Its also ok about my neighbour he is now going to prison. Some may tell you I should not be the one giving you advice but I am 55 years old and others have been aware of my gender identity since I was 12 years old . That is a lot of years experience. I have been through every emotion there is from love to hate and everything in between. Its a fact I am not a liked person on here for various reasons. Those reasons are - I don't believe in God - I am honest - I tell it like it is - I live in the real world - Sometimes I have to be blunt to make a point - I am true to myself and everyone around me - I stand up for myself and others - I get frustrated by what I see going on around me on here and the outside world - I try my best to right the wrongs I see going on . All of that adds up to the fact that I care about real life and real people. I will understand if you wish me to stop adding to this thread if its putting others off (I have that effect) But if you want honesty then I will gladly continue. It is never my intention to hurt others but the truth does hurt as you are well aware from your recent discovery about your husband. If you wish this to be my last post on this thread then I will wish you both all the best for a happy ending to you situation. Take care and look after each other .  xx


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:05 PM GMT
    • 71 posts
    February 19, 2013 9:49 PM GMT
    Wow, this post has had something like 900 views but no new posts for a while... does anyone have anything to add? Would love to hear from you all...
    Had a difficult day or two.. As you do!
    it does tend to take over your world..
    Hello SOs... Calling all SOs!!!!!
    X
    • 376 posts
    February 19, 2013 10:09 PM GMT

    Its proberbly me Elle! As it says above I have that effect. Sorry you have had some difficult days join the club mine has been a real crap one (can't say why). Come on SOs Elle needs you. Take care  xx


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:06 PM GMT
    • 71 posts
    February 19, 2013 10:15 PM GMT
    Can't say as in no reason why, or don't want to say!! No worries Julia... Bad days happen. Tomorrow should be better.
    And the sun did come out today. It was beautiful here! Take care x
    • 376 posts
    February 19, 2013 10:28 PM GMT

    Elle its a can't say! I spent most of my day in hospital and I can't say why its an on going thing but there was no sun in there . Tommorow will be better! I don't have to go there again untill next week. You take care too and look after yourself . xx


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:07 PM GMT
    • 71 posts
    February 19, 2013 10:31 PM GMT
    Heck, I was sort of pulling your leg Julia!
    Hope, as you say, that tomorrow is better for you.
    • 376 posts
    February 19, 2013 11:17 PM GMT

    Thats ok Elle. xx


    This post was edited by Former Member at February 21, 2013 2:07 PM GMT
  • March 10, 2013 11:21 AM GMT
    Hi Elle my partner has recently came out too me, He already showed some signs of being the real person he wants to become but i never really picked up on them,

    we have been together nearly 3 years and engaged for two after opening up about the situation i was a bit shocked at first but after talking with him i felt a bit more at ease,

    I thought about different things and still couldn't deney the fact the i love him so much that it didnt matter weather he was a man or a women

    since our conversation i have picked out a name for him around me at the moment he is known as Lola'May, he lets me do his hair and make up and i really enjoy doing this and getting to know Lola'May

    i hope this helped
    • 71 posts
    March 14, 2013 7:16 PM GMT
    Thanks Sarah.. How are things going for you now?
  • March 16, 2013 8:50 PM GMT
    good we have been on a shopping trip over the past few days to build up a new wardrobe

    we also to his mam about him wanting to be a woman and got some suprising results

    just rember Elle to take it day by day thats all were doing

    how are things going for you hun
  • T h
    • 1 posts
    May 27, 2013 3:53 PM BST

    PLEASE HELP< Hello, I am in complete despair. I just found out my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years is wanting to be a woman. The fact that he does I have no problem with, its the betrayal I feel...but mostly I feel I betrayed myself. I left a loving home of 10yrs; but my child through a divorce on the thought of this man being the one. Within these 3 years he has maybe worked a grand total of 9 months. He doesn't drive so I drive him everywhere, he was always very critical of my clothing choices, how I wore my hair, how we had sex. Writing this out the tears are flowing through my own stupidity. If that wasn't enough I was the first person not to throw him away when things were tough and slowly helped him realize he may have aspergers. So their is absolutly NO, not an OUNCE of understanding on his part of what I maybe going through. I have spent the last year on the verge of sucide, my happy demeanor has changed into someone I don't know. In the last two days he has come to realize that he no longer wants to be a man... yet he was soooo manly when we met. He said he had this feeling all along but kept it hidden until he met me. Its not the clothing; its his feminne personality that Im not attracted to when he is dressed. I am not attracted to women at all, just as he is not attracted to men. He says that he is nothing without me, he has nothing without me...but I am nothing with him. It would break my heart to throw him away like everyone else has..but seriously I don't know how much more I can take.

  • May 27, 2013 4:26 PM BST

    Hi T.,

    I truely understand how this must have come as a great shock to you and the turmoil that you must be going through right as this time, even though I am on the opposite side of the fence.  I am transsexual and fought it for many years (read my blog) although I have always been attracted towards men - and many of us who go through this put on a façade for many years until we can fight it no more.  However, there are many M2F transsexuals who are attracted to women, which can be even more confusing for them as they try to come to terms with who they are.

    If your partner is transsexual, then ultimately there is nothing that he can do to help it and if he feels strongly enough about it, then he will, ultimately, transition (or the worse case scenario, will take his own life).

    You say that you are nothing without him, so I presume that you still very much in love with him.  There are partners of transsexual women on here who have been through exactly what you are now going through and they have managed, against great odds, to make their marriage work and have remained together.  Whether you can do this is down to how you see your future together.  There is a great web site that caters solely for the partners of transsexual people here:-
    http://www.transpartners.co.uk
    which might help you to understand this better and give you the support that you so desparately need at this point in your life.  We can also try to help you here as well and will do everything that we can to help and support you.  No doubt other prtners will chime in and try and give you their support shortly.

    Have you considered going to a therapist for support - if you do, please seek out somebody who specialises in both gender related matters and marriage guidance as it is only those people who will be able to guide you through this.

    In the meantime, don't give up all hope

    Carol xx

    • 71 posts
    May 27, 2013 4:27 PM BST
    Hi T H,
    I can imagine how you are feeling TH. It is a total shock to find out your partner wishes to transition. On top of that it sounds like you have other issues going on too.
    As Nicola says, the sites listed are for partners. I also use the transpartners site. It can be quiet in there but recently there have been a few partners posting for advice, support or to offer an internet 'shoulder' to cry on. Here is also good too. Lots of very lovely and helpful people about, mainly tg, ts, tv ladies but some partners call in too.
    Anyway, I recently went for some counselling to help me as my husband begins his transition journey.. One thing the counsellor said was to look after yourself too, it isn't all about your partner.. keep yourself healthy, and to remember you have a choice.
    At first I thought, no I don't really have a choice. I happen to love my husband and want him to be happy, I don't want to leave him, not at all. But in doing that I make myself unhappy. I thought it wasn't much of a choice but I sort of see now that it is. I have decided to support him and have chosen to do so. A slight shift in mindset I have only just noticed.. But a significant one I think.

    I guess, what I'm trying to say is that maybe you need to think about you, your needs and desires, your future. What is it you want?

    Maybe try some counselling? To help you make your own decision. It is tough. But it could help you a great deal.

    Don't know where you are, but I'm sure your doctor could give you a few contacts for local counselling services.

    Keep us posted how things go...

    Elle x
    • 71 posts
    September 19, 2013 8:00 AM BST
    So ladies, how's it all going?
    Are there any new SOs in here?

    I just went right back to January's original post... One hell of a lot has happened since then! The vertical learning curve continues. But I've met some fab people and learnt an awful lot about myself and Em, the whole transition journey, other people's reactions that have renewed my faith in people (not that I'm religious, ha ha).
    My colleagues at work, who I didn't really need to tell, have all embarked on their own learning too and are really great. So we are spreading the word...

    Be nice to meet some more SOs, so give me a shout!
    Elle xx
    • 34 posts
    December 31, 2013 11:20 AM GMT

    Hello Elle,

     

    first, a bit about me. i am 39, ive had 2 real relationships,both with females.

     

    the first, when i was 19, lasted 6years. i did tell her about my dressing up. she tryed really hard to deal with it, but i know she had a hard time. when we finished at first i was really hurt and nagry, but then i realised how hard she had tryed. no every one can live with something that, through upbringing and enviroment tells us is wrong. she was the only person i had ever told, and this kind of told me to keep everything quiet, to hide it, from my self and every one else.

     

    my 2nd relationship should never have happened. we were so totally opposite, in every way posible. i am kind and giving, she is selfish with a huge chip on her shoulder (she does have good reasons for this which i wont go into). it only lasted 3 years, but i realise it was an attempt on my part to live the "normal" hetrosexual life i had been born into and brought up in.

     

    if you read my blogs, you'll see that i have always known, always been ashamed, lived my life the best way i can. i want to say to you that in my opinion you are one of the strongest women i have ever "met". ive been quietly reading your posts, and your honesty, love, and desire to understand is to be admired. its true, that this isnt something that is easy to come to terms with, but in talking openly about it, in understanding, learning, that if a love is true, then true love will overcome all and every hurdle.

     

    i want to say thank you for sharing your journey with us, for me, it has been a ray of hope, i take strength from there being people like you in this world. i cant say if i want a man or a woman, as this side of life up until now has been more an attempt to protect my loved ones from the embarrisment and shame.

    find true love and hold it in your heart forever.

     

    best wishes to you, hope the new year is full of wonder and joy. xx

     


    This post was edited by Stephie Hughes at January 3, 2014 8:10 PM GMT
    • 71 posts
    January 31, 2014 6:03 PM GMT
    Hi Stephie,
    Sorry for accidentally ignoring you! I did see your message and then life just got in the way for a while!
    Glad to be a ray of hope for you! I'm just me really. Sometimes there are lots of things to take in and deal with. Sometimes it's tough, other times it's ok. I guess me and Em just work together and everything is ok.
    What about you? What's happening with you at the moment? All ok?
    Take care and keep posting. I won't leave my reply so long next time!!
    X
    • 3 posts
    February 13, 2014 9:28 PM GMT
    Hello!

    With this thread at the top, I didn't feel like I should probably create a new one to introduce myself.

    I've known my partner was female almost since the beginning of the relationship, when she came to terms with it herself. (She was previously identifying as gender queer with separate male and female personas, but has since told me that she is, in fact, female, and her identification as gender queer was a way for her to have her identity as a secret and not necessarily deny the body she was born into.)

    I have no difficulties accepting her as a female, but the problem is: we live in Texas. I've noticed that many people on here are in the UK and I'm not entirely sure how different things are between here and there. She doesn't want to start hormones or be seen as female by anyone at the moment except for me and those she has come out to on other trans-friendly sites and even still has me using male pronouns and her male name so that I don't accidentally use a female pronoun or female name in public or with my family.

    Her family does not know yet and only my mom knows out of my family. We're still going to be in Texas for a while longer, at least 2 years, and she doesn't feel safe doing anything with hormones or transitioning while we're here.

    At the same time, she has recently been talking to me about feeling "transcrazy" as she calls it and desperately wants to be seen as sexually attractive as a female. Unfortunately, I am asexual and can not provide that. I want to help her, but I'm really at a loss here. I've tried to help her with make up and clothes (she's been really fond of the bright blue eyeshadow lately), but I'm not much of a feminine character myself and have no idea what I'm doing. I feel like a clueless dad helping his daughter in all of this.

    I apologize for rambling. I've been trying to figure out how to talk about this for a while now and it just sort of came out as a blurb instead of being coherent.
    • 71 posts
    February 14, 2014 7:46 AM GMT
    Hi Jessica
    Apologies for not noticing this earlier.. I have been missing emails and all just lately! I think life is going too fast at the moment!
    Anyway, nice to hear from another SO. I'm in the uk so I can't comment on Texas.. Never lived there! I can appreciate the whole thing about where you live though.
    I have to go to work now, so forgive the quick message... I'll reply properly later...
    Good to have another SO around! Xx