Tag: closeted

Crossdressing Memories — Chapter 6

Julie Gaum | Dec 5, 2016 | Reply

Julie Gaum is 91. She’s been crossdressing since she was 15, after an earlier incident at age 7. Now she has written a book to share her story with the world. The book is called “Never Climbed His Mountain.” On TGF Julie tells her story. She graduated from Wharton, went to Hollywood to work in the film industry and had various adventures. All while staying “in the closet.” After moving in with an accepting female cousin Julie began to dress at home. Then tragedy struck and Julie had to find another home. But she also found the freedom to dress in public.

To Be (Out) or Not To Be (Out)? That is the question.

Linda Jensen | Nov 28, 2016 | Reply

Linda embarks on a quest for advice she can give to crossdressers about “coming out” and letting others in their lives know about their dressing. Trans women, at some point, must let their employers, friends and families know that they are changing their gender presentation. Crossdressers can keep their secret and adopt their male persona for the majority of their social and work activities. While keeping your crossdressing secret can feel like you’re a spy and give you an adrenaline rush when you successfully return to your headquarters after a mission (shopping trip or visit to a trans-friendly watering hole) hiding a large part of yourself can cause problems. See how Linda’s friends have “come out.”

Peak Time

Christine B | Nov 15, 2016 | Reply

Our Correspondent from Thailand, Chriatine Burr, files an article with her feelings about why we are seeing more and more older trans people. We have seen a rise in the number of children who identify as trans but there are many older folks who are coming out. Christine puts it all together and offers some reasons why we are seeing this increase in elder trans people.

Crossdressing Memories, Chapter 5

Julie Gaum | Oct 31, 2016 | Reply

Julie Gaum is 91. She’s been crossdressing since she was 15, after an earlier incident at age 7. Now she has written a book to share her story with the world. The book is called “Never Climbed His Mountain.” On TGF Julie tells her story. She graduated from Wharton, went to Hollywood to work in the film industry and found herself romantically involved with a Hungarian woman while Julie collected more women’s clothes in secret. She left Hollywood to work for a home improvement chain in Canada and logging many miles on the lonely road. Then she reconnected with the widow of her cousin and the two decided to move to Florida together. Things were looking up.

Crossdresser Memories, Chapter 4

Julie Gaum | Oct 3, 2016 | Reply

Julie Gaum is 91. She’s been crossdressing since she was 15, after an earlier incident at age 7. Now she has written a book to share her story with the world. The book is called “Never Climbed His Mountain.” In the last chapter of her story she graduated from Wharton and went to Hollywood to work in the film industry. Then she found herself romantically involved with a Hungarian woman while Julie collected more women’s clothes in secret. At the end of Chapter 3 she was working for a home improvement chain in Canada and logging many miles on the lonely road.

Self-confidence Let’s You Take Control

The Editor | Sep 26, 2016 | Reply

Occasional contributor Kristina Mayhem has sent us an article about self confidence. Aside from the way you look when you are presenting as a femme person one of the biggest assets to being accepted as one is self confidence. If you walk with a confident air that says you have every right to wear that dress the only looks you get will be appreciative. If you act timid or nervous you will draw unwanted attention as those around you wonder why you are acting that way. Kristina has a list of confidence builders you can use to help you boldly go wherever you like as a self-assured, confident woman.

One of the hardest thing you’ll ever do!

CateOMalley | Sep 12, 2016 | Reply

What’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do? Cate O’Malley believes that it’s coming out as trans. Today she blogs about a book and TEDx Talk by a straight man who, as an experiment, “came out” to his small religious community as a gay man. While he conducted his year-long experiment he was met with all of the reactions from friends and neighbors that you might expect, from being ignored to being the object of anger and scorn. All of that is pretty darned bad but Cate feels that it might just be harder to come out as trans. See what you think after you read her blog.

Adventures in Androgyny

FAM | Sep 5, 2016 | Reply

While Falecia runs her errands, walks the dog and then picks up some household items, she is subjected to compliments from people passing by. Did they mean it? Falecia dresses “androgynously” in women’s jean and booties with feminine touches in the accessories. Are people becoming more accepting of males who present themselves to the world in a more feminine look? See what compliments Falecia got and what she thinks about dressing androgynously as a substitute for going out completely en femme in her latest post.

The 45th Birthday Surprise

Linda Jensen | Aug 22, 2016 | Reply

Last month Linda Jensen told us about a chance encounter she had at a music festival up in Canada. She met Crystal and Mary who turned out to be old friends from at least ten to fifteen years previously. Crystal and Linda are both crossdressers. While Linda is a crossdresser who keeps her male and female lives quite separate Crystal pretty freely changes between the two genders and her friends and family know all about her dressing. How that came to be is quite an interesting story.

Be Strong! Be Proud!

JosyC | Jan 11, 2016 | Reply

Josy is proud of the way that transgenderism has been brought out of the shadows and made visible to the general public. She thanks trans icons like Jazz Jennings and Caitlyn Jenner for their work in making people aware that trans people are here and we aren’t going away. But she has concerns that some in the community don’t wish to do their part to further acceptance of trans people.

TGF Retro Rerun: “Look, Mommy! There’s A Man In The Lady’s Undies!”

The Editor | Dec 21, 2015 | Reply

From time to time we dip back into the secret archives of TGForum and pull out an interesting post from the 1990s. Some of the content from back then is interesting for how dated it is, while other posts are still relevant in the 21st century. Today we bring you Jessica Brandon’s shopping column from Dec. 1997. Her advice on shopping for femme attire while dressed in male clothing is still useful information.

Planned With Precision

Christine B | Nov 24, 2015 | Reply

Today our Correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, takes a break from the Thai scene and blogs about a common characteristic of closeted crossdressers worldwide. The extreme planning and precision that must be implemented to take advantage of windows of dressing opportunity that open with short notice. See what happens when “Tom” hears his wife planning an excursion for the coming Saturday.

Keep Your Online Tracks Hidden with Mozilla Firefox

laurajade | Nov 9, 2015 | Reply

Many members of the trans community, particularly those who are in the closet about their gender, have found sites like TGForum to be useful and comforting as they explore their gender issues. But often it is hard to even look at trans sites on the Web for fear that family members, spouses or associates may find the sites if they have a reason to look at the browser history. Laura Jade tells you how to create a “secret profile” in Firefox that will hide your online trail.

Notes From The Closet: Thoughts While Walking

Claire Crowley | May 11, 2015 | Reply

Claire Crowley is a closeted crossdresser who, like most crossdressers, had feminine fantasies as a child. She was also small and weak — and then had a major illness that kept her confined to her home for several months. Before the illness she was bullied and after she got better she decided she would not be bullies again. She became a manly man, but one who harbors a longing for femininity. Here are some of her thoughts inspired by a walk down the street.

The Thrill of the Closet

Linda Jensen | Sep 15, 2014 | Reply

Graham Holmes’ post in which he advocated being totally out about crossdressing as the only way that CDs will ever get their rights inspired our Canadian correspondent to investigate why people choose to “stay in the closet.” It can be a bit cramped in the closet but to some hiding their crossdressing is a lifestyle they’ve perfected over years. Can you actually come to enjoy hiding a major part of your essential nature? See what Linda and a friend named Donna have to say.

Six Steps After You Tell Your S.O.

The Editor | May 5, 2014 | Reply

A great deal of time is spent on the discussion of how to tell a spouse you are transgender. However, telling your spouse is only the first step in a long line of open communication. The most important part is what happens after the initial conversation and your significant other now knows. Here are 6 […]

Things I Had to Learn…

victoriamwilliams | Sep 16, 2013 | Reply

Victoria Williams has been working on her feminine presentation for several years. She has gone from dreaming about mingling with others in public en femme to actually doing it. Along the way she has picked up knowledge and today she shares some of the things she has learned on her journey. She wishes she had known them at the start and hopes she can pass them on to her sisters so they don’t have to learn the hard way.

Problems? What Problems?

Graham | Jun 10, 2013 | Reply

Our British contributor, Graham Holmes, dresses but makes no attempt to pass as a female. He uses the men’s room, does his errands and his work dressed but eschews wigs and breast forms. Does he run into trouble from this lifestyle? Most often from other CDs. And some of the general public.

Drab on Drab

Sophie Lynne | May 20, 2013 | Reply

Many transgendered people who live dual lives would never consider letting their TG friends glimpse their male side. Others, like Sophie Lynne, feel that letting them get to know the male personae is evidence of a great amount of trust. Today Sophie talks about several aspects of the dual life and its joy and pain.

Walking the Grooming Tightrope

angela_g | May 20, 2013

The 21st century is our time. Mens’ grooming in general is trending more to the use of traditionally feminine things like hair removal, skin lotions and makeup. That can only make things easier for the modern part time girl. Angela Gardner muses on the relaxing rules that make it easier to move between genders.

TG’s off the Deep End in Costa Rica

Georgia TG | Apr 22, 2013 | Reply

Deep in the heart of Costa Rica our contributor Georgia Tg operates a retreat for transgendered people. That may sound all new age and spiritual but there’s also shopping. In today’s report Georgia tells of two closeted CDs who came to Costa Rica to spend full time enfemme. And they shopped!

Would you really want this fairytale for your daughter?

Dee | Apr 8, 2013 | Reply

Our ex-CD’s wife has a question that may help some CDs understand why your partner is upset (to say the least) that you never told them about your crossdressing till you couldn’t take it anymore and her she had to accept you or else. Would you want that for your daughter?

Meet Rachel Xaviera

Rachel Xaviera | Feb 11, 2013 | Reply

I was asked by “Angela”, if I’d be interested in writing a few blogs about my “latex fetish,” my interest in the SMBD community or something about my music. I will get into all of those activities after I get some of my other thoughts out first, as to give some insight into who I am.

Get Out!

angela_g | Dec 3, 2012 | Reply

Going out the door in women’s clothes is a frightening thing to many crossdressers. So they confine themselves to their home and never meet their sisters in the TG community face to face. Angela Gardner, an expert at getting people out of the house, has a pep talk that will get you dressed and out the door. Don’t miss the fun!

Cruel World

The Artist D | Nov 19, 2012 | Reply

It’s a cruel, cruel world, even before recession induced cutbacks — and The Artist D has had it up to here. One thing just seems to lead to another and another and before you know it we’re some how discussing the “tranny thing.” Find out what it’s all about and read The Artist D’s “Cruel World.” Just do it!

No More ‘Fallout Shelter’ For Some

Linda Jensen | Aug 20, 2012 | Reply

Linda finds a transgender support group where more and more of the members are posting messages affirming success and acceptance when they take their femme persona out in public.