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I've heard that it's terrific, so with your review now I know I will have to see it!

I actually had more for my original post - but I was writing it at school and some other people came along so I decided to be social and cut the post off there. An observation I made later (after class) was that my initial thought ("I was rejected because I'm transgender") was paired with confusion. It seems like that's a move forward for me in that I think earlier it would have been hurt or anger that would have come up. And those would no doubt come up if this had really happened, but the initial response is confusion. I think that reflects that this has become a part of my identity that I'm more comfortable with, so my response when people reject it is to not understand why they would have a problem with it. As a quick follow-up - the professor in that class during the next session gave me contact information for a friend of hers who is prominent in the area of social work with LGBT individuals, particular dealing with trans issues. She's in Albany, so it's a little limited in terms of networking, but it is still a connection, and one that I probably wouldn't have made without coming out (I doubt any professor would risk suggesting that contact if I wasn't open about my gender identity)

I came across a quote today - it was the quote that Janet Mock got the name of her new book from: "And at last you'll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking." Audre Lorde

Hey Chrissy, You're awesome, girl! I love Taco Bell too, BTW. two Taco Super Grande's and I'm happy. I'm sure the ingredients are all pretty creepy and I don't even want to know, but I love the taste and the crunchiness. And good for you for coming out to your entire class. It's scary but I think that in general, good people respect our being open, transparent, and vulnerable. I believe that most people are good, just trying like all of us to take care of themselves, their families, and to be happy. So they see that too in people like you. As it turns out, today I came out in an email to about 30 people I worked with in a company that I joined 20 years ago this month. I told them that I had always had what I thought was such a shameful secret, and that secret is that I am trans. I also gave them a FAQ list so they became more educated about me and trans people in general, and links to several videos that I think are particularly good. Thus far I've heard from about half of them, all very supportive and yelling "Bravo!" I spent a fair amount of time writing the thing but I'll tell you, my finger hovered over the Send button for a few seconds. But I finally pushed it, and then sure, I was kinda concerned. It was easier for me than for you since I have moved away from the area and no longer work with these people. But we are all good friends, so I fretted that I may have shared too much. I think it's true to say that the universe rewards action. Like yours, and mine. Love, Emma

Charlotte, That's a great start! And I like the detailed nature of your diary, it can help give others (me!) ideas :-) Emma - I use the Libra app (I have an Android) which does what you talk about as far as giving you a moving average for weight - it's definitely helpful! Also use Myfitnesspal app to track calories. xoxo Chrissy

Great start to your diary Charlotte! It helps me, too, as I am taking baby steps toward transition. I guess I try to follow a paleo diet which looks to me like Atkins. I just try not to eat refined carbohydrates, and, try for smaller portions. One thing I do that's really helped is that I have a digital scale that I weigh myself on every single morning. I then enter the number into a spreadsheet that calculates a 10-day moving average (which smooths out the fluctuations) and my BMI. I graph the weight numbers too vs. time. About three years ago I was about 175 pounds (I'm 5' 9") and through managing my diet I got down to 155 which was terrific. These days I'm about 164 and trying to return to the 155! It's hard as I love food so much. 💃🏼 Anyway, please keep us up to date on your diary. I'd love to keep comparing notes and learning from you. Emma