Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Stuff: Support

By J.J. Atwell

Who Needs Support?

Everybody needs support. And no, it’s not just your boobs that need support. It’s what is happening inside your head that I’m covering today. 

It doesn’t matter what the issue is, support is something that helps us live a full life. Of course, since you’re reading this post on Femulate.org, you might be especially interested in support for you and other crossdressers. 

So where do we get that needed support?

On Line Support

There are lots of ways we can find support on line thanks to the expansion of the internet over the past 20+ years. Right here on this site you will read some very interesting stories about the topic. In fact, the mere act of reading Stana’s webpage is support itself.

If you also look at the right side of the page, Stana has several interesting sites for you to check out. Just spend some time reading these sites to get more comfortable about your crossdressing inclination. 

There are also several larger, specialist sites that offer a support network for us. These include www.crossdressers.com, www.crossdresserheaven.com and www.tgforum.com. If you haven’t explored those sites, you will find some very interesting stories there. They are from people like us and relate real world experiences. There is no shortage of advice dispensed on line, both here on Femulate and on the other referenced sites.

Real Life Support

Notice the “real life” part of this section. Yes, it involves meeting others in real life. It might be in a secure private meeting place, in the home of a crossdressing group or out in more public areas. I know that’s a huge step for many of us. It means we can’t hide our femme self behind a keyboard. The first time you do it will be scary. And exhilarating. 

The scary part lessens as you do it more frequently. I’m not sure it ever goes away. Fortunately, the exhilarating part doesn’t seem to go away either. 

I’ve been the beneficiary of this real life support and has really made a difference in my crossdressing world. It has helped me improve my femme presentation and my wife and I have made friends with other crossdresser/significant-other couples. 

It was through the internet resources mentioned above that I found out about a local crossdressing group that met monthly. Going to those meetings gets JJ out once a month. Some months we also get together with our new friends, typically in standard man/wife mode doing things that couples do together. 

I’ll Be Back

There is a part 2 to this story and you’ll see it soon. In the mean time I’ll be finding more Stuff to write about. Until then, I’d welcome comments here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.



Source: Rue La La
Wearing Diane von Furstenberg


Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar femulating on television’s Saved By The Bell.

10 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 17, 2024

    Good article J.J.

    Support is crucial.

    Best,

    Micki Finn

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 17, 2024

      JJ here. Thanks for the confirmation!

      Delete
  2. This website has definitely become a source of support for me! I enjoy reading about different peoples' experiences and perspectives as it helps me broaden my own mind. I also especially enjoy getting the opportunity to comment on things I've read here, because that's the only time I get to share this (hidden) side of me.

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    1. AnonymousJuly 17, 2024

      JJ here. You are definitely correct! There is so much good information here and having that makes us better informed. More information helps us understand that we are not alone.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 17, 2024

    Another good article. On-line resources are really valuable, but they don't really cut it when it comes to the tricky business of your nearest and dearest.
    Going to a support group can seen scary for the first time, but meeting and talking to real people who are treading a similar path can be really helpful.
    All the best,
    Penny from Cambridge, UK

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    1. AnonymousJuly 17, 2024

      JJ here. Definitely true Penny. I recall my first in-person meeting about 2 years ago. Incredibly scary but at the same time just fun. Once over that hurdle it does get easier.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJuly 18, 2024

    When my wife and I had "The Talk" many decades ago she wanted nothing to do with my desire to wear women's clothing. However, she did encourage me to join a support group. I looked and none were to be found, locally. I called a telephone number that belong to some group but the person answering was totally rude. All I could think was that person should never be on a suicide hotline. This was way before the internet. There was nothing readily or easily available for a cross dresser. It was a lonely world. Today's youngster at least can find and engage with others so they know they are not alone.

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    1. AnonymousJuly 19, 2024

      JJ here. Sad tale but yes you are correct, the world is much easier to navigate these days. And that's not just for youngsters!

      Delete
  5. You can still do it. There are hundreds of "MEETUP" groups that are supportive of people in our community. For instance, there are two in the Washington, DC area, one with membership more based in the DC/Maryland area and the other more Virginia-centric. We used to have one here in Baltimore. but the more extensive activities of the DC groups drew our members south. I started with the DC group and joined the Baltimore one when I moved here but, sadly, the group was in its decline.

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    1. AnonymousJuly 19, 2024

      HH here. Thanks for your comments. You are certainly correct that there are many groups out there. You just need to know where to look!

      Delete