Steve asks, "When did you first become aware that you were 'different'? At what point did you understand 'how' you were differen

I think around twelve or thirteen when puberty hits most kids I felt my view of my gender was different than my male buddies. Being fascinated by my mother’s clothing and then trying some on somewhat sealed the deal – if you will. While I thought I was the only person alive feeling that way it was in my late teens that I first became aware of cross-dressed individuals and then in my early twenties I actually saw some MTF transgenders in NYC. It was so exciting since this was the early seventies. At to when you realize how different you are I’m not sure you or your therapist ever really knows. Each of our journeys is different but I think support groups, interactions with other trans women and later online stories and a vast array of literature brought home the differences.