Growing up or growing old?

• Posted by Deleted Member July 12, 2012 783 views
  click to rate

  As a very soon to be 54 year old I am a late bloomer in the TG world. I have dressed since my earliest memories, certainly since 4 years old, but hid myself guiltily away from the world and didn't take my first steps outside of a locked hotel bedroom until I was 48. Of course, once out there is no stopping you and I visited several TG venues on a regular basis before venturing into the outside world at large. I have to say that all my fears, and those of my wife, were groundless as I found universal acceptance where ever I went, so much so that I haven't been to a TG specific event for almost 2 years and the thought of doing so fills me with dread.

   

  I don't know if I have grown up or just grown old because I no longer crave nightclubs or loud music, I never have really, they just seemed to go with the TG scene. It isn't that I am some old fogey and I still enjoy rock music (I am a rock drummer after all) but I also enjoy classical music and, especially, opera as well. I suppose we all progress through life as part of the process but does being TG mean that you progress faster through the stages I wonder. I have often heard  that trans women goes through phases of dressing as a schoolgirl, teenager, young woman etc. and perhaps that is what has happened to me, although I have never dressed as a schoolgirl and haven't worn a mini skirt for many, many years. What I mean is that perhaps since my trans side became so prominent in my life I may have matured a little faster than I would have done ordinarily.

   

  I absolutely recognise the importance of TG venues and that they provide a great outlet, without them I would probably be so far back in the closet as to be in Narnia. But am I alone in developing a positive dislike of them and seeing them as only a slightly bigger closet? I wonder if TG events can actually have a harmful effect in that they encourage the feelings of secrecy and the need to be protected.

   

  Just my thoughts and I don't wish to offend anyone but I am interested what you may think?