No matter how much material was crammed into this book, it could
never be more than a starting point for those who are considering a
personal journey of their own. Along the way, one of the first things
anyone will discover is the surprising number of people who are
traveling the exact same path. Their numbers are in the thousands,
with literally millions standing by the side of the road, wishing they
were on it too.
Transgender issues are no longer relegated to the courts, the
couch, or the closets. Medical information regarding the very real
physical causes of transgenderism is growing every day. In a way, what
gender people experience personally is a reflection of what modern
society is going through as a whole. We are all moving to be more
open, more understanding, and more caring. And this goes far beyond
the outdated concept of "tolerance" in which we hate
something but allow it co-exist.
As more and more people emerge from their own shadows, groups of
transgenderists gather at support group meetings, through
publications, and online in the growing cyber community. As my part in
this effort, I founded the Transgender Community Forum on America
Online in July of 1991. From the first meeting in a private chat room
which attracted only two other people, today's Transgender Community
Forum boasts several thousand participants, and provides message
boards, chat rooms, file libraries, and a sense of community to the
online world.
I retired from hosting the Forum several years ago, but Gwendolyn
Ann Smith who stepped into the position has done a remarkable job of
carrying on the tradition and building on that foundation. In fact,
the look and feel of the current forum is due to her untiring and
inspired efforts.
So, if at all possible, I strongly recommend signing on to America
Online. Once there, use keyword, Gender, to go to the TCF. (You can do
this by using Control K on Windows or Command K on Mac and then typing
in the keyword.)
If you can't get on AOL but do have access to the web, all you need
do is use one of the popular search engines and look up the words,
transsexual, transgender, or sex change. You will be surprised at the
hundreds of extensive web sites devoted to the emerging gender
community.
(Yes, I remember the days when I was afraid that typing words like
that into a search engine would expose my secret to the world. But,
unless you happen to have top secret government clearance, believe me,
there is just too much traffic on the web for anyone to bother
tracking you. And besides, with several thousand of us doing it, it's
no big secret anyway, so give it a try!)
Still, my favorite web site is my own, naturally! You can reach it
by going to
Once there, you will find all kinds of informative and fun articles,
essays, pictures, and links.
Don't be afraid to call you local Gay/Lesbian support association,
as they usually have referral number for local transgender support
groups. And, you can be sure they are quite concerned with keeping
your inquiry private.
As a final thought, just stop by your local adult book store and
look for Transgender magazine published by the International
Foundation for Gender Education (I.F.G.E.) It is the premiere magazine
for the transgender community with articles much like those in this
book, as well as endless lists of support groups and contact points.
If all else fails, you can write the I.F.G.E. at P.O. Box 367,
Wayland, MA, or call them at (617) 899-2212.
In closing, let me urge you not to be afraid to explore your true
self. Even if you come to decide that you have too much to lose in
your situation to consider being more open, at least you will know who
you are and not lie on your death bed wondering what might have been.
Don't give up and don't give in. Know that there thousands of us,
and you are not alone. And know that no matter what your feelings are
at any given moment, they will change. So follow your dream. After
all, you only have one life. Why hold back?
Best wishes for all you hope to do and be
Melanie Anne
