Where do I start?

[Kiwi74]

Morning all,

Where do I start. I'm 45, happily married, two kids, 21 and 14. My issue is, ever since I can remember I have felt 'wrong', I have felt I don't fit. I've crossdressed off and on as long as I can remember, I used to think it was a 'release' of sorts, but it soon dawned on me that it was much more than that, I felt 'right' as if everything had aligned. I have watched hundreds of youtube mtf vids and have cried at what I have read onscreen, with the similarities these transwomen have had with me. My wife and I had a discussion the other day as I have been having some serious depressive times, my wife mentioned 'You know, I think if we had the money and you didn't worry what people would think (we live in a small town of 8000 people) you would have transitioned years ago.' I played it off at first, but then as the discussion continued, it dawned on me, should I explore this? Where do I start? Who do I talk to? I live 8hrs drive from the Sydney Gender Centre. I have no idea what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Kiwi74,

Thank you for your post and for joining us. While I don't have experience with what you are going through I wanted to welcome you anyway because I know it is not an easy thing to reach out.

While you wait for some more helpful posts, I did just wanted to suggest this resource - QLife. They offer anonymous and free counselling, both over the phone and in webchat. https://qlife.org.au/ and 1800 184 527 The other option you might want to look into is Skype/Zoom counsellling - this works in the same way that face to face counselling does (and with Medicare rebates) except you can do this from home. While doing a quick Google search, I found another gender counselling service that does this - so they are available.

I hope that this gives you a bit of direction, or at the very least some hope that there are services available for you even when distance is a barrier.

rt