Hello Everyone

[CountryWomanAtHeart]

Hello everyone I'm Elisabeth Ann but you can call me Lisa. I'm a closeted transgender woman in my thirties . I live in a small conservative community in Wyoming because of this and my position in the community I haven't came out yet. However I've been out shopping presenting as Lisa occasionally in nearby towns for years and I love it. Around six months ago I decided to setup several social media accounts as Elisabeth to gain support, information and knowledge about my journey ahead. I discovered this community thru a Facebook group. I enjoy being outdoors, camping, hiking, fly fishing/tying and working on antique automobiles. Look forward to becoming part of this community and making some friends along the way.

 

[OzGirl]

Welcome Elisabeth Ann! Your journey is in part similar to many in this Forum, some who have completed the journey, and some who, due to circumstances, will never complete their journey, but have found fulfilment in other ways.

I myself was determned to stay in the closet, or at least within my home, for the rest of my life, to protect my loved ones. It wasn’t to be, and for health reasons I had to transition at 65 at the cost of my marriage. I do have the support of the rest of my family and colleagues, so I have a decent life. I am just one of many different stories here, and I look forward to reading more about you.

I’m sure you will feel right at home here and hopefully make lifelong friends!

Hugs,

Allie

 

[SuzieO]

Hello everyone I'm Elisabeth Ann but you can call me Lisa. I'm a closeted transgender woman in my thirties . I live in a small conservative community in Wyoming because of this and my position in the community I haven't came out yet. However I've been out shopping presenting as Lisa occasionally in nearby towns for years and I love it. Around six months ago I decided to setup several social media accounts as Elisabeth to gain support, information and knowledge about my journey ahead. I discovered this community thru a Facebook group. I enjoy being outdoors, camping, hiking, fly fishing/tying and working on antique automobiles. Look forward to becoming part of this community and making some friends along the way.

I live in a conservative spot too. Just keep being you and let them stare if they have to

 

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Lisa. Welcome!

I, too, live in a small conservative community, in my case a fishing village on the Bay of Fundy. I was involved in the community, both in the volunteer fire department and in the community coffee group. So I can totally relate to your hesitation about coming out.

It turned out well for me. I was accepted by the community members. Or at least by enough of them to create peer pressure on the others. Life is good here now as myself.

I hope it goes equally well for you if you decide to come out in your community.

Regards,
Kathy

 

[Confused]

Hi Lisa,

Welcome to the Refuge. You will find that you are not alone here and we are a friendly group. Feel free to jump into our conversations so we can get to know each other better. You will find support here.

Hugs,
Mike

 

[Monica]

Hi Lisa,

It must be intimidating to think of coming out in a conservative community in Wyoming. I thought it daunting when our Nicole here on T/Refuge came out in Texas, again in a very conservative area. Not only that, she works with a rather macho group. Yet, it went very well for her. Amazing things are possible. There are no guarantees of course, but going into it prepared can make a huge difference. The motivation of dysphoria can push us to do things we never thought possible. So, talk to us, learn from us and teach us what you know. We all benefit from that. Oh yes, my name is Moni (like Bonnie).

 

[CountryWomanAtHeart]

I live in a conservative spot too. Just keep being you and let them stare if they

I live in a conservative spot too. Just keep being you and let them stare if they have to

I had pretty much decided that when COVID lock down came around last year. Hoping to do some more this year

 

[CountryWomanAtHeart]

Hi Lisa,

It must be intimidating to think of coming out in a conservative community in Wyoming. I thought it daunting when our Nicole here on T/Refuge came out in Texas, again in a very conservative area. Not only that, she works with a rather macho group. Yet, it went very well for her. Amazing things are possible. There are no guarantees of course, but going into it prepared can make a huge difference. The motivation of dysphoria can push us to do things we never thought possible. So, talk to us, learn from us and teach us what you know. We all benefit from that. Oh yes, my name is Moni (like Bonnie).

Thank you Moni for the encouragement. I also work in a macho trade (construction) which adds another twist to things. I'm hoping however to be promoted to an office position shortly. Thank you again and I'll start looking through the rest of the forum too.

 

[Monica]

I'm a bit old for the construction business. That is very apparent this week as I'm tearing the roof off my porch to repair water damage and I'm really feeling my age. I always enjoyed building things though. I imagine you are familiar with the Home and Garden show with Mike Holmes. Anyway, I think it was his daughter who worked with him on the show doing construction. I always thought that was so cool, like the best of both worlds kind of thing. I know, that's fantasy, and the construction business is really hard and the culture may not be optimal for a trans woman, but the thought was fun for me. I do hope you get that office position. That would be great, maybe make things easier. When I came out, I know there were a few skeptics, but when they saw that I did my job, and did it well, the doubts kind of just faded away. Businesses tend to care about results. Do you work for a small company or a bigger one? Would there be an HR department I wonder?

 

[Donica]

Hi Lisa! Welcome to TransRefuge. Nice to meet you. I think you'll find you'll fit right in. We have a great bunch of folks here, so don't be shy, and jump right in. See you around the forum.

Hugs!

 

[Linde]

hello Lisa, welcome here with us. I probably live in the most conservative area of the US, in south western Florida, the waiting room to heaven. I am also an older woman, but I have never had any problems here with people being transphobes.

I do also a bit with old cars, I am the proud owner of a 1961 Triumph TR 4 roadster, which I drove races with when I was way younger.


Hugs
Linde

 

[Lexxi]

I Lisa and welcome to our little Refuge! Feel free to hop into any of the conversations you feel comfortable in. We don't bite. Well...most of us don't anyway. hahaha

I'm glad you found us here. I look forward to reading more of your story.

 

[CountryWomanAtHeart]

hello Lisa, welcome here with us. I probably live in the most conservative area of the US, in south western Florida, the waiting room to heaven. I am also an older woman, but I have never had any problems here with people being transphobes.

I do also a bit with old cars, I am the proud owner of a 1961 Triumph TR 4 roadster, which I drove races with when I was way younger.


Hugs
Linde

Thank you for the encouragement Linde. Like I said I've been out a few times shopping as Lisa and have not had an issue.

My taste in antique automobiles started with my Grandfather he loved the Ford Model T and A. I have a 1962 Chevrolet Corvair that him and I worked on together. Right now I'm working on a 1976 International Harvester Scout Traveler. I always wanted a Triumph after I saw "The Birds" movie but the Corvair fit my budget better

 

[CountryWomanAtHeart]

I'm a bit old for the construction business. That is very apparent this week as I'm tearing the roof off my porch to repair water damage and I'm really feeling my age. I always enjoyed building things though. I imagine you are familiar with the Home and Garden show with Mike Holmes. Anyway, I think it was his daughter who worked with him on the show doing construction. I always thought that was so cool, like the best of both worlds kind of thing. I know, that's fantasy, and the construction business is really hard and the culture may not be optimal for a trans woman, but the thought was fun for me. I do hope you get that office position. That would be great, maybe make things easier. When I came out, I know there were a few skeptics, but when they saw that I did my job, and did it well, the doubts kind of just faded away. Businesses tend to care about results. Do you work for a small company or a bigger one? Would there be an HR department I wonder?

Thank you Monica. The company I work for is small the no HR department except the boss. When I said I work construction I didn't clarify. I'm actually a master electrician by trade. I started out of high school for this company as a temporary summer job. I've been with the company long enough I'm now vice president. I've approached the owner about taking over the company when he retires in the near future. He is considering the offer. I'm excited about becoming a business owner but nervous how the community would react to this. I've lived here so long guarentee people will talk but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Monica]

Lisa,
You sound very accomplished in your career. I expect your boss's decision weighs heavily on your mind as far as your future. I can imagine the different thoughts going on in your head. Being trans can certainly make for confusion as far as one's future. If one has a great job but is not living true to themselves, it can be oh so hard. I was a special ed teacher, an auto technician, and finally now, I'm an aide in a classroom for students with special needs. I struggled throughout all of those years, trying to run from my truth, but was never able to feel whole and happy. When I could no longer take it, I made a leap that I've not regretted one moment since. In my head I imagined losing every relationship I had. It turned out very different from that, only losing two people from a group of hundreds. It wasn't until I transitioned a while that I realized how much living my life in the wrong gender affected every day of my life in a very negative way.
I don't want to make assumptions about where you are in your thought process. I certainly enjoy talking as you can tell by my post count. I mentioned losing a couple people. I've gained so many friends to more than compensate in my mind. Many are here. I will point out a couple of people who might be of interest to you. NicoleT has transitioned in the past year. She has shown great courage in the face of some very difficult conditions. She's also very nice. Karajo is in the transition process now. She is around your age, is in a macho field, and is also very nice. She's afraid of nothing, that one, hanging out of helicopters in her old job. There are others too, but off the top of my head, I thought they might be very relatable. Hugs

 

[Linde]

Thank you for the encouragement Linde. Like I said I've been out a few times shopping as Lisa and have not had an issue.

My taste in antique automobiles started with my Grandfather he loved the Ford Model T and A. I have a 1962 Chevrolet Corvair that him and I worked on together. Right now I'm working on a 1976 International Harvester Scout Traveler. I always wanted a Triumph after I saw "The Birds" movie but the Corvair fit my budget better

This is my little baby

http://imgur.com/qOqCiCf

And what Moni said, you will be surprised to find out how tolerant people are, as long as you are a nice person. I live among many Cubans, and Cuban guys are pretty macho. My neighbor (he happens to have a small electrician business), is pretty darn macho, and I was concerned about him seeing me as a woman. When I came out to him, he said" who cares, as long as we can still drink a beer together" and that was it.


Hugs
LInde