ARTICLE

FEATHER YOUR OWN NEST

Nancy CA-116-W

After having lived much of our lives according to a socially ac- cepted prescription, many of us come to realize that we have not been true to ourselves. As full-time or part-time transgenderists, we feel the need to improve the quality of life for ourselves by creating an environment around us which is compatible with the kind of life style we wish to achieve.

Many years ago, a well known Englishman once remarked, "People tend to become that which they imagine themselves to be." This was the prelude to a flood of books and articles such as The Power of Positive Thinking all designed to remind us to create what we will for ourselves. yes, this certainly does include transgenderists. It means that we actually do have the power and ability to turn our fantasies into realities. We can make our own accepting environment.

The winds of change are now blowing at a fast moving clip in this time of rapidly shifting social values where a counternorm is develop- ing which advocates that "people do their own thing." The point is that once we have determined what we want to do or the way we want to live, we must approach it with self-confidence and poise. This means going about the task like there is nothing wrong and without any of the past feelings of guilt, anxiety and frustration. After all, didn't someone say that the best defense is a good offense? If we are walking down the street, regardless of how we are dressed, casting worried glances over our shoulders, naturally others will assume something is wrong and look a little closer to find out what it is.

Anyway, let me illustrate the basic message contained in this article by sharing a couple of personal experiences with you and then

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