the diapered dyke

to use phrasing like "getting transgendered" i think is the source of your misinterpretation of trans experience. trans identity (in any form) is something you are, not something you acquire. the correlation between trans folk and depression isn't because of "choosing to be transgender". choosing to transition isn't about anything but being more comfortable in the skin one is in, which is essentially battling the depression you attribute to a trans identity. the problem is that a lot of trans folk come to the internet, support groups, etc when things are rough and when things get better (as they do get better, in most cases) they leave those circles. because of this people look at "transgender" only in terms of what they see in these circumstances, and come to the conclusion that all trans people are depressed and suicidal. transitioning is tough, but fighting through the dysphoria and coming out the other side in one piece makes some of the strongest, most centered people i've ever met. i came out and began transitioning a few years ago. when i started to come out, everything seemed unbearable and i had no idea how my life could possibly turn out into something good. three years later: i'm a prominent member of the queer, feminist and trans movements, i live a (relatively) functional life and get this - my life has become exponentially better. my identity as a trans person is just as much a part of me as my identity as a queer girl, a feminist, a vegan..; it doesn't have to dictate your entire life. so to all you other just-transitioning, just coming out trans girls and boys: there's light at the end of the tunnel.

where's the "other" option? hindu is a big one missing here, too. i am a vedantic hedonist.

hi, my name's madison. queer LG girl from detroit. i've been searching for a pleasant AB/DL forum & i'm hoping this might be the one. do i say anything else here? i have a blog at diaperdyke.blogspot.com and that just sounds like a shameless plug, now doesn't it? srsly? srsly. -madison