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Hello, Taking from me, been there and learned that a handful of my friends where against transgender people until they knew I was one and that changed everything, they are all converts. Now for my mother, same thing, she appeared to be unaccepting but that has changed completely If I may be so bold to ask you not to make assumptions (same as Emma wrote). Try hard (and I know it's far from easy) to look on the bright side that you can change her ideas of who transgender people are, she has one living in her home and you are completely normal!!!

One of the woman I work with stopped me and asked if I would like to go out with the other woman in my section. There are six of them that every week they go out to dinner and have drinks. She said that they all discussed should they ask me, all of them have known me for years in my former male life so they kind of know what I am like. Any ways they all agreed that I should be asked. From the short chat with had it really sounds like it could very well be a good time and get in with these ladies. What is interesting is most of them are in their late to mid thirties which is much younger then me but that is not going to stop me from going out with them. I am very grateful that they did think about me and accepted me. On a side note I have noticed the difference in what woman talk to me about before and after transitioning in general, things I could only guess or even for that fact never guess. Like when I had my nails done in the past few months, the ladies there talk to me about those things that would never surface before I was Karen. So that is simply another aspect of a continuing journey and things to look forward too.

I would like to thank you all for the support you have given me. It really brightened my day. I forgot to add that after our talk about homeschool she asked me "Do you have anything to tell me?" I don't know if she knows or thinks that I am trans or if she is talking about my depression or something totally different. God I hope she doesn't know. Anyways I would just like to say again thank you so much. This community really made me see the light in all of this and I wish you all a good life <3

Hello Art, I'm also sorry to hear about your experience with your mom. I would like to suggest, though, that you check your assumptions before taking it too seriously. I don't mean to say that her statement didn't happen, nor that she is telling you her bias - those are very real. But, until you do actually tell her you cannot really know how she will react. Perhaps (at least we can hope) that once she realizes that it's her child who is experiencing such trauma then her opinions and reactions will change. We could even imagine a scenario where she had noticed a transgender person in her soap opera and reacted positively, only to react negatively later when, here again, she realizes it's her child - not some TV actor. I think it's all too easy for all of us (especially me) to jump to a negative conclusion based on assumptions that haven't been checked out. That said, she gave you some information that hurts to hear but maybe it will help you as you prepare to come out to her. I wish you the best, Art. I really do. Hugs, Emma P.S. Please don't interpret what I'm writing to be telling you "to get over it." I certainly know that you're hurting and that's what you need to do now. I just want to add my voice that you are heard, valued, and accepted. You will get through this.

Hey Art... Sorry to hear that it sounds like your Mum will not be accepting of your true identity as a young man. For now it appears she may be unaccepting, but some people change after being smacked in the face with the news that someone close to them is trans. It is much easier to have someone come around to accepting you, than it is to feel accepted in the beginning, and then have that person turn his/her back on you later. If your Mum doesn't come around, at least it will have been no surprise. You said she's rejected you and doesn't even know it, but I can't help but wonder why she felt the need to mention to you the trans character in her soap opera. Do the two of you often discuss what goes on in this program? -Michael

Today I went down because my mom wanted to talk to me about my brother doing homeschool with me. After our conversation I went to make some popcorn because popcorn is awesome. A few minutes later she then commented that her soap opera has a transgender in it. At this point I am nervous on how she would think of that. She then commented "That's disgusting. I guess they have to make it more modern. What has the world come to?" My heart instantly dropped. I quickly finished what I was doing in the kitchen and ran upstairs to my room. I am full of emotions right now. Angry, sad, confused. Right when I was starting to crawl out of the pit of depression, I sunk back in. My mom basically rejected me, and the worst part is that she doesn't know it.

I agree Veronica. I did tell them that I am not much of a drinker but do love to chat and get silly. I will say White Russians are one of my favs.

Karen, That sounds like a good way to work the kinks out of the work week ! Enjoy ! Veronica.

Yes Emma, I will tell how it goes.

That just sounds so wonderful for you, Karen! Of course, now my interest is piqued: I hope you'll give us a summary of your night out with the girls!

Hey guys, what's up? My name is ARTistiColor but you can call me Art. So basically before I talk about anything crazy I just want to tell you why I named my blog 'My Mask' incase you are wondering why. I basically named it 'My Mask' is because even though I am talking freely about how I am transsexual, I am just a person hiding my true self behind my 'mask'. I have not come out to my family because I am scared of losing everyone I ever loved, having a deep dark hole that can not be filled ever again in my heart. But I guess that's everyone's fear, to feel alone and unwanted. So in this blog I will be talking about my experiences as a pre FTM, my goals, my views on things and transgender news! I found out I was transgender only a couple of months ago so I am still learning. One thing that really bothers me is that I haven't found a name that really pops out. I read that transgenders look in front of the mirror and say possible name choices and that they know when they found the right name for them. None of the names I listed really pop out at me. But don't worry! I won't give up! I have been thinking of calling myself Ash or Archer. I think their both really good names, but I don't know for sure if I want that to stick with me for the rest of my life... Anyways thanks for reading, hope you have a great day, and stay colorful! -Art

Hi Art, Yes you may loose some of your freinds when you come out, even family members. BUT if they are so unreasonable as to not accept your true self, perhaps they aren't worth worrying about too much. Also you'll make other new freinds. Others can be a great help in choosing a name for you as Karen has mentioned above. Keep on blogging! Eve

Welcome Art :)

Glad to see you with us Art ! See you around the webiverse ! :)

Hello Art, there should be no rush deciding on a name. Best advice on a name I can give is look at a list of names, pick a handful that feel right then for a week or so contemplate how each name works for you. Do this both in your mind and when you can say it out loud, many just think in their mind while saying it out loud can make a big difference in the acceptability of a name. When I came out there were three or four should said I thought Janet was good for you while the majority said Karen was perfect. I spent more time on my last name then my first name. But each spanned over weeks, not hours or days as a name change process when it comes time for it can take four to six weeks and there is tons of paper work. You may not be ready for that now but it's good to get use to a name no matter when the name change is done, tomorrow or years from now.

Welcome Art! I think it's so cool you're here and introduced yourself. I'm confident you'll find the community here to be warm and accepting. I hope to hear lots more about you and your life. Names can be hard to choose. In a recent TG support group I attended I mentioned that I was having trouble remembering all the new names. Not to worry they said, name changing is rampant among transgender folks! I wrote an early blog post about why I chose Emma. I'll have to read it again myself. Indeed there are times when I hear a different name and think it might be more fun or better. We don't usually select our birth names and Emma is growing on me and my friends here. I think Warren had a great suggestion: go on babynames.com and see what fits. Or, consider people or characters you admire or like. I'm sure that we will love whatever you choose. Emma