Last week I had an opportunity to attend my second Transgender Conference in Pennsylvania; having only attending my first just 8 weeks earlier in Boston.  I hadn't really definitively planned to, but another TG member offered to share the cost of accommodations at the Convention Center and the schedule fell in line with my planned travel from Florida to NY.  My first Event, in Boston, appropriately billed as The First Event, was a big test for me.  Having preparing for many years to step out in public as Jessica, but never having actually done that, I wanted to see my comfort level in presenting authentically for a continuous and relatively prolonged length of time.  My first time going out in public was 3 days prior to the start of the convention and I remained Jess continuously for 10 days after.  That experience met and exceeded my expectations;  it was like falling back into a huge, plush, sofa that  I just didn't want to get up from. Well, responsibility always calls, and you have to answer, but from that point on I really got into high gear with "living authentically".  ( using the term "transitioning" bothers me immensely in that it infers I'm becoming someone new, rather than finally accepting and  living as someone I've always been).🙋‍♀️

So about 6 weeks after First Event, I was off to the Keystone Conference, aptly footnoted as " A Celebration of Gender Diversity".  One week earlier I moved into my new Florida home, living entirely authentically,  and now was off to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  I met many from First Event there and it was very special to remember their names and chat again briefly about how we've been doing since.  The icing on the cake, however, was the opportunity to share the Keystone experience with someone from the TG forum and having the time to get to know each other better as one girlfriend to another.  I really look forward to continuing that special friendship; my first as Jessica.

There were workshops Thursday, Friday And Saturday during the day covering many topics;  I focused largely on those dealing with GRS, FFS, non surgical procedures, make-up, and the like.  All were very good and I learned  a lot to add to what I learned from First Event.  The dinner outings were also great, but I gained 4 solid pounds (Ugh), breakfast, luncheons and dinners throughout.

Several keynote speakers for the luncheons and Saturday banquet were all right on; but the most significant thing I've taken away from the whole experience is that the overall public perception of gender diversity is changing rapidly and on the verge of acceptance.  We should be seen, not try to "hide" ourselves;  learn to be more comfortable out there and be our own "goodwill ambassadors" when in public for the community we are all a part of.   I will post more on specific topics from the convention down the road that should be of interest to those that were unable to attend.  Jess😍