Thank you for the video Abby! This was the first video I have seen from you and I was really impressed with how articulate you are. You have a lovely demeanour and way of explaining things.

And also, I heard you comment about not liking your nose (and I am not trying to change your mind, I feel much the same about my own) and just wanted to say to it actually really suits you and looks great on you.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Mac

I think one misconception is thinking you aren't beautiful. You are in fact very enchanting.

Thank you Abby. I really like you vision of being trans. Never to late ^^  💜 Live long and prosper 🖖🏻

Hello. I'm a 48 yr old transgal who's 5 months into transitioning. One of the main misconceptions that I hear is that people think that every pre trans woman was very effeminate as a man. I've gotten that at times and I explain that I had to hide my true self my whole life for protection, survival and blending in. I had to alter myself to appear like "one of the guys" so I wouldn't be ostracized. Growing up in the 80s and 90s are completely different from today. From lack of knowledge of any trans representation or atleast not negative representation. If I would've grown up in the modern age I'm sure to have transitioned earlier. But on the flipside, people who really know me said I'm not different now and that my true self is being expressed now without regard to previous protections and such.

And also, I want to hug everyone who allows it 🤗 be yourself, always! It's your life and it's beautiful 💜

"Transitioning will not solve all your problems" struck a nerve with me. I'm glad that I recognized that early on. In my 30s, I first met a psychologist specialized in gender questions, and participated in their support group. This is where I first met "ordinary" trans people (not celebrities on stage). I felt a connection to them, but I also told the psychologist that one difference I felt is that - in my impression - many of them thought transitioning would solve all their problems, and that I don't believe that. The psych was pleased to hear it.

Here are my netflix recommendations - some of these are older but I stand by them! :  Diplomat, Resident Alien, Broadchurch, Blacklist, Walking Dead, Hannibal, Animal Control, St Dennis Medical, Good Girls, Fisk, The Man in the High Castle, Castle Rock, The Following, Prodigal Son, Derry Girls, Inside Man, Kath and Kim.  When I've been in England, the programs available are somewhat different.  There's a funny Brit show called Plebes that we don't get in America.  What are some of your favorites?

i appreciate your perspective and you seem a level headed and lovely person. As a woman, I would like to ask a question I hope you can answer clearly to help me understand the perspective of a trans person better.
I think the issue many women have who feel 'threatened' by trans people is a sense that a trans woman is defining women as an 'aesthetic', or merely a cosplay, consisting of make-up, or breasts or dresses/skirts. I have to agree that this is a degrading and caricaturing way of 'feeling like a woman'. Did you ever consider defying the gender norms of being a man? ie simply being a feminine man? dressing as you are now, but still 'being' a man, rather than identifying as a woman? You must forgive my ignorance. I am not trans and am simply wanting to learn. have a great day.

Well, once again, Abby,,,,  you have performed brilliantly and you have inspired me to bother Heather Herbert, Kristie McTear, Sophie Molly, and Shiv Crag with the notion we need a public educational video made which covers the entire transioning process from start to finish.  All the psyc exams, medical visits and counceling, drugs, treatments, surgeries, the entire SMACK.  Make it as a public educational video to rise the awareness of just HOW HARD IT REALLY IS TO GET MEDICAL TREATMENT TO TRANSITION YOUR GENDER.  I don't think the public realizes just how HARD it is to get into this kind of program/service.  The people you must meet, the paperwork you have to fill out, the drugs and surgeries your given.  The PUBLIC doesn't know how much of a struggle it really is to become a trans person.  If they knew this, then certainly a percentage of transphobic people would gain more respect for the community and their process which  you must go through to transition your gender.  It's really quite and ordeal and it needs to be EMPHASIZED MORE in an hour long video.  Anyway, this was what I got out of your video today Abby.  It's like you are teaching class and we are all the students.  I have been slapped into the reality from all of this that transphobia is a lack of respect for the community and the process and to combat this we educate and show that public how HARD it is to get on a program and show them the suffering and work and courage it takes to go though it.  So, yes, your right Abby.  Yes, you are right and this is another brilliant lecture from you,,,  thank you Abby....

i'm in the US and for me it really was like a 10 minute conversation and they're like here are the hormones see you in 3 months - i was expecting a more in depth consult or process but nope

You are beautiful. Trans is beautiful. I haven't kept up with your content and I can say that the changes in you since I last saw you are really amazing. I am 3 years in and yeah it's an incredible journey. Not what I expected. Thanks for sharing.

I'm sorry I have not kept up with your videos.  I've f-ed up my computer and have been watching my kids' computers and their feeds suck.  Usually I just stick with Netflix.  But I just love seeing how far you've come.

Thank you so much for sharing. You look lovely. Trans I was told two years ago when I started is a broad church as they say. We must not compare because we are all different.  We must be ourselves in our journey

Your video brightened my day.  I love your fashion sense.  SUBSCRIBED!

Your transformation is, I don't even have the words, WOW!  Way to rock the red lipstick!

I’m confused, you don’t have to have dysphoria, you don’t have to change your pronouns, or have surgery, or have anything in common with any other trans person… so aren’t you just describing individual humans?

You are gorgeous. ❤

Wow, there is a lot to chew on here.  

Pre-transition events:  The biggest pre-event I hear about is transgender people referred to as pre-op or post-op.  I understand how whether you have had bottom surgery or not is a private matter. But, IMO, the distinction between pre-op and post-op trans people is important, especially if you are sexually active.

No dysphoria:  I have come to the conclusion if you are trans, you may have dysphoria, euphoria, or both.  I find it hard to imagine if you do not have dysphoria you would transition without having euphoria.  In my case, I am not sure I would have transitioned if I did not have dysphoria, but I accept that some people do.

It is never too late:  Generally, I agree.  Your egg can crack at any time.  I do think however, if you transition when older it is too late for some things.  I wish I had not gone through male puberty.  I will never have the facial features, hips, and voice I want without surgery that can be problematic.   In my case, having transitioned in my sixties, it is especially hard.

Fetish:  Honestly, when I see some trans girls on the Internet, I wonder.  I know autogynephilia is a controversial topic. But it does describe some people’s experience.  I think for many of us, early in transition, things are more sexualized and euphoric.  We then settle down and realize who we are.  I for one, started my exploration as a cross dresser and there was a sexual component to it.  It did not last long once I started to better get in touch with who I really am and what I need.  

People easily getting meds:  It happens, but not regularly.  I think there needs to be a lot of self- reflection and therapy before meds enter the picture.  With that said, we never know for sure what is right, so you have to have courage to start your journey.

Publicly show ourselves:  I want to blend in as the woman I feel I am.  I am not showing anything.  I am being myself.  Admittedly, it is hard for me to pass and I think of making myself less visible.  Being trans is quite a challenge.

Transition solving your problems:  I agree, transition is not a solution to a lot of things.  Yet, I could not go on living the way I was without serious regret and self-doubt if I did not transition.  Life now has meaning for me.

Transition Steps and Surgery: Yes, it takes time. We all wish it would happen tomorrow.  For me, I had a sense of my short-term transition steps.  Over the longer term, things became clearer as the baggage I was carrying was shed and I could accept more who I am.  I have not spoken to a trans person for whom passing was unimportant. Sure, it is more difficult for some than others and there are various levels of acceptance.  This in one of my biggest struggles when I see a man in the mirror and know I must accept what I am.

"It is not all sunshine and rainbows.:  - That’s for sure.  

What are other misconceptions about trans people I can think of? I am not sure this is a misconception, but I do know there are many people out there who find us abhorrent and a threat, especially to their kids.  I admit I sometimes feel out of place around other people, but not a threat to anyone.  But honestly, the behaviors and the appearance of certain trans people can destabilize some people who do not want their kids exposed to particular things.  Is this, OK?  I think so, except when it gets to be generalized to a group as variegated as trans identified people. I suppose that is another misconception – we are somehow all the same.

I must add, if there is any thought your child is transgender and you restrict them from exploring their gender, you are doing them great harm.  Sure, a majority will decide they are not trans, but for the those who are the earlier they can accept themselves and do something about it, the better life they will have.  There is no rush.  Blockers can help.  Ultimately, nearly always the right path will reveal itself.

Whew, a long comment probably few people will read.  Well, I said it anyway.  ❤

One misconception that I've heard is that all straight people care about what genitals their sex partner has.  I know that's not true, because I personally know a straight cis man (I've asked, and he's never been attracted to a man) who is attracted to and has enjoyed sex with both cis women and with trans women who've not had bottom surgery.

Why on earth are you walking so fast?