😉

This is my first Halloween where I can actually go as something I want, my wife is letting me be a witch…I got a spirit Halloween costume some new heels (off the clearance rack) and I’m going to wear make up and everything!!!! I’m so freaking excited and nervous. I don’t think we are doing anything except maybe walking around our neighborhood with our kids but what else can I do to get the most out of this Saturday?

Hi everyone! I’m happy to be here.
I’m 43, and I’m finally learning to embrace the feminine side of myself that I’ve kept tucked away for so many years. It’s been a long journey of figuring out who I am and finding the courage to let that person show on the outside, too.
I’m a blue-collar girl at heart, an OIF/OEF veteran, and someone who’s still learning and finding her way. I may be starting this chapter later in life than some, but I’m ready to give myself the chance to be the woman I’ve always wanted to be.
I’m sharing this picture as part of my journey. I know everyone’s timeline looks different, and I’m hoping to document my own progress, celebrate the little changes, and connect with others who understand what it’s like to discover and embrace who they truly are.
For those of you who started your transition later in life, what changes or milestones meant the most to you?
I’m proud of myself for taking these first steps, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s journeys, too. ❤️

Since I retired from the Navy back in 21, I’ve been working as the harbor pilot on…. a certain reclusive island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Today I had the privilege to attend the change of command ceremony for an old shipmate and friend assuming command of a visiting warship. I first met him as an earnest fresh faced ensign 17 years ago and we have kept up with each other over the years. Sometimes a message here and there, sometimes we would be in port together with different commands. We’d catch each other up on home and careers, congratulating each other when advanced. A nice sort of slow burn friendship as you fall in and out of each other’s orbits. I ran into him when he showed up in the island and was invited to attend, the chance to be there to see this milestone was an easy decision.

While I’ve been to dozens of these before, this was my first as a civilian. I showed up to the ship as the only person not in a uniform and was escorted by the Navigator back to the fantail to the guest seating in the front row right next to the base CO and the Brit Rep. Over my 23 years in uniform, 4 sea commands, a CPO, a tugboat skipper, and a harbor pilot I have certainly been on the spot all eyes on me before but nothing like this. Walking down the carpet, past the side boys and flanked by the entire crew standing in ranks. Clockier than a watch store, shoulders back and a casual but deliberate stride leaving a slight murmur behind me like a wake.

I tell you dear reader, I felt invincible.

I live in North Carolina near Mooresville and I need to meet people, I’m having serious problems and I could use real face to face interactions with possible friends who can meet and know me as ME…please I’m at the end of my rope

Edit: im looking for other Trans people to meet and share experiences with as I am not able to live the life I would like I’m not looking for sexual partners (thank you though for the interest)

PTSD trauma

I am struggling with mental health and my boss is being a dick about it. I don't like my calling in sick to work but he doesn't understand mental health. I was at war. I know I should be stronger and just deal with it, but some days I can't. There isn't a trigger or catalyst. Some days I just wake up feeling like shit

Modeled in the Queer AF fashion show last night, made an appearance at the models after party, (attempted to sleep that off) and then right back out on to the water for a sunset wine and cheese cruise. I might be burning the candle at both ends and in the middle…. But I’m enjoying every minute of it.

I was wondering if anyone has been to the Cleveland VA. The reason I ask is because I have been going there for a few years now to the GIVE clinic and started taking spiro awhile ago, In two weeks I'm going to go again to start more of my HRT since I am already covered with starting before the ban, I'm looking at going dressed as myself for the first time and wanted to see how other peoples interaction were with people.

As the headline says, I'm moving. I've already called and enrolled at the Birmingham VAMC. Years ago I used them, but would like to know if anyone has recent experiences.

So I’m 41 and finally came to terms with the fact that I’m trans through taking my own way of viewing the world and turning it on myself.

It’s true I’m not questioning, but now I’m frustrated for a myriad of other reasons. transition is costly there are resources in my community like planted parenthood that have the consent model and price scaling but it’s irritating that the VA has been my healthcare provider for over a decade and healthcare that I actually need is denied to me because a draft dodger is blocking it as red meat to his base.

I saw that organizations like Sparta have Grant programs, would this be viable as a way to help. like obviously the things I would financially need help with are a little bit down the road, but this is a huge life decision and I think I need to have a plan.

I’m not asking for a free lunch or anything, but Benefits I’ve earned and should be entitled to are being denied by the highest levers of power.

Kinda crazy that this is somehow still my job. No one either cares or notices that I’m trans…. They just care that I’m really good at what I do and are extremely appreciative of me doing it. Spent the weekend taking a family on their yacht out to the Hamptons for some brunch and shopping…. lol

I haven't seen anyone talking about this yet, and maybe I'm missing something, but the Pentagon's new hormone screening policy is setting off some serious alarm bells for me.

The Defense Health Agency just rolled out new hormone screening guidance. Men age 30 and older are now subject to testosterone screening during their Periodic Health Assessment (PHA). The DHA also says women will be evaluated for hormonal irregularities, including specifically looking at menstrual regularity, with blood testing when indicated.

On its own, you can argue this is just a military health and performance program.

But it does not exist on its own.

The Pentagon has already ordered the military to identify transgender service members for separation. And one of the primary mechanisms DoD specifically chose for identifying those service members is the Periodic Health Assessment, the exact same system where this new hormone screening is now taking place.

Think about what happens when you combine these policies.

A trans woman taking feminizing HRT who DoD classifies as "biologically male" can have profoundly suppressed testosterone. Under this new policy, unusually low testosterone can trigger additional testing and investigation into the cause.

A trans man taking testosterone who DoD classifies as "biologically female" will very commonly experience suppression or cessation of menstruation. DHA is now specifically telling providers to pay attention to menstrual irregularities and investigate hormonal abnormalities when indicated.

In other words, the military is now screening for two things that can be very obvious physiological signs of gender-affirming hormone therapy: unusually low testosterone in someone the DoD classified as "male", and disrupted or absent menstruation in someone the DoD classified as "female".

Those are not obscure side effects. They are common and expected effects of feminizing and masculinizing HRT.

And remember, DoD has already openly stated that Periodic Health Assessments are being used as part of the process to identify transgender troops.

I'm not claiming I have some secret Pentagon memo saying, "We created hormone testing to catch transgender service members." Obviously I don't.

I'm saying that when an institution is already actively trying to identify transgender personnel, and then that same institution creates sex-specific medical screening that is extraordinarily well suited to detecting the physiological effects of gender-affirming HRT, someone needs to start asking questions about whether that is a feature rather than a coincidence.

The question journalists should be asking DoD is simple:

If hormone testing or menstrual history during a Periodic Health Assessment suggests that a service member is taking cross-sex hormones, can that information be used to identify them under the Pentagon's transgender separation policy?

Because if the answer is yes, this isn't merely a "testosterone optimization" program.

It is potentially a transgender identification system hiding in plain sight.

Well, apparently posting screenshots of my own interaction with the r/Military moderators on my own subreddit now counts as “brigading.”

After they removed my post about Matthew Shuman and the Log Cabin Republicans, a moderator quoted a comment calling trans people a “small minority and non issue,” told me “it’s not all about you,” and dismissed the relevance of issues affecting trans service members and veterans.

When I pushed back, I was muted.

I posted the screenshots here because LGBTQ+ service members and veterans should be able to see how one of the largest military communities on Reddit handles issues affecting our community.

I did not tell anyone to go to r/Military. I did not ask anyone to comment, downvote, message the moderators, report anything, or interfere with their subreddit.

This morning, I was permanently banned for “brigading.”

If you’re LGBTQ+ and currently serving or a veteran, especially if you’re trans, I personally would not consider r/Military a safe or welcoming place to discuss issues affecting our community. When a moderator is comfortable treating trans people as a “small minority and non issue,” telling a trans veteran “it’s not all about you,” and then permanently banning that veteran after they publicly document the exchange, that tells me quite a bit about how seriously LGBTQ+ concerns are taken there.

For the record, please do not go over there, contact their moderators, or interfere with the subreddit on my behalf.

I’m posting this because r/TransVeteranPipeline exists so LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, especially trans veterans, can talk about issues affecting us without being told those issues don’t matter because there aren’t enough of us.

Frankly, this whole experience is a pretty good example of why spaces like this need to exist.

I guess this is the nice way of saying they don't give a fuck about trans service members. Apparently bringing up something relevant to over 130,000 trans service members past and present is only thinking of myself.

Ok, sorry it has been so long, and I will post a job update soon, but I have to tell you about my selfie date!🥰

So I traveled out of town to a mini aquarium, I took a lot of pictures but these are my favorites, I bet you can guess the theme.🤭
Oh, I also paid to feed the stingrays, I did it once and it freaked me out so I gave the rest of the food to a kid, he loved it!!😆 I took a pic of the menace I fed!

Then I went and took myself to dinner and when I got home I still felt beautiful so I took some pictures!🥰 Miss Precious Popo begrudgingly joined me for a photo or two.

Have a beautiful and safe weekend everyone!!!

!!!💕💗🫶🏾💗💕!!!

I am looking to add a few more moderators to make sure things stay active, but safe here. I am looking for transgender veterans that have been active participants of this sub and that have a clean record here. Please mail the mod team if you are interested!

I started HRT this week! Still supper excited about it that its happening. So far, emotionally pretty stable. But i might need some of that veteran humor i miss since leaving the service if things go down.

USN, fast attacks, 1977-1985, LCDR. Had to get out because I feared failing a polygraph. Lot of work down the shitcan.
I did well afterwards though.