From: benedict@dg-rtp.dg.com (Dale Benedict)
Subject: Re: Wrong Surgery
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 19:27:05 GMT
Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC

In article <1992Nov21.035006.15773@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, 
icarter@nyx.cs.du.edu (Iona Carter) writes:
>   So (simplistically speaking) I have four choices:
> 
>     1) Tell me parents, seek reassignment. The would shatter their lives.
>     2) Dissappear, seek SRS. This would also shatter their lives.
>     3) Remain an unhappy male. This would semi-ruin my life.
>     4) Compromise. Live away, CD, get electrolysis, (hormones?) etc. but
>        disguise myself as male when visiting them or vice versa.

There is a 5th option: Be the woman you want to be as often as you wish (or can).
And for the times you need to be more masculine, present yourself as an
androgynous person.  
 
I am actually the reverse: 90% of time I am androgynous and for special 
occasions I really get fixed up (dress and heels).  

For me, androgynous is really how most of my typical genetic girlfriends
dress:
  jeans (all colors), stir-up pants, or print rayon pants.  No skirts!
  pretty sweater, blouse, tank-top, jacket
  color coordinated socks (eg mustard shirt and mustard socks)
  boots (with pant legs tucked in)
  long hair (pony tail for business)
  pierced ears (right and left) with some sort of studs
  silver chain-rope necklace

This look has been sort of an evolution for me.  I started with all male clothes
and now I have almost all female clothes.  The only bad part is that I discovered
that the dry cleaners also charge more for female clothes!  A men's white shirt
cost 99 cents and for a female's white shirt they charge 2.50.  So, I have 
removed the tags and pay the cheaper price...

At first, I was very nervous and thought everyone would know I had on
"girls" clothes.  But instead I received lots of compliments!!!  Turns
out basic women's fashions are very close to contemporary men's fashions.
If you don't believe me, check out the latest issue of "International
Male".  It includes some very beautiful clothes: patchwork velour vest,
velvet shirt, "pirates shirt" (looks just like a poet's blouse), fancy
belts, silk shirts, etc.   The main difference between contemporary
men's clothes and their female counterparts is price.  The female version
can be bought for $$$ cheaper from your local outlet (eg TJ MAX or
Burlington Coat Factory) or woman's catalog (eg AVON or JC Penny).

Sorry for the rather long response, but hopefully there is something
useful in it for someone.  Some books say the androgynous approach is
confusing to your friends and family.  I find it quite the opposite.
Girlfriends whom I have not discussed anything personal love to talk
about sales and have in fact asked me to go shopping with them.  I think
they are tickled to see me find a bargain-priced vest at a ladies shop.

My brother seems very envious of my wardrobe.  He is a bit conservative
(works for IBM...).  For X-mas this year, I have already bought him a 
silk shirt and silk vest.  They are from the men's department, but easily
could be from the women's dept.

My parents are very postive.  My mom says that I brighten up the morning
when I wear my floral sweat shirts.  And she really surprised me this
summer when she gave be a pair of floral shorts that she had bought for
herself, but didn't quite fit right.  


>       I have heard of "breast development creams" do these work? 

Be careful, this sounds like some slick advertising aimed at girls
that are unhappy with their breast size.


Cheers!

_________________________________ 
Dale Benedict
Internet: benedict@dg-rtp.dg.com
I speak for myself, not my employer...

Newsgroups: alt.transgendered