I turn 42 in about a month and finally, after all these years, I have a word for what I am. When I was young, a girl who didn't conform to the expectations of female gender was a tomboy. Young women were supposed to outgrow their tomboy ways and become, well, women. I never outgrew my tomboy ways. I never outgrew my enjoyment of "boyish" things, my very unfeminine interests, or my love of gender-neutral and/or masculine clothing. I never "progressed" to the point where I wanted to change my body physically. But still, forty years after I started fighting my parents when they wanted to put me in a dress, I still hate wearing them. (I'll wear a long, flowy, comfy skirt now and then, because it's a chance to wear dressy sandals and show off my metallic blue pedicure, but that's about it.) I dress marginally feminine for work, because I have to, but as soon as I get home, I change into jeans or cargo crop pants, Tevas and a T-shirt, because those are the clothes that I feel comfortable in. Those are the clothes I feel *me* in. It feels really weird, a little embarassing, and extremely validating to finally have a word to describe the thing I am that for years I was certain wasn't really a legitimate "thing." It's both a little freaky and a relief to finally be at this place, almost forty-two years into this life of mine. But I guess it's better late than never, right? :newcolor:
Thank you! It means a lot Glad to be here. To know that I have "peopl." :eusa_danc after spending decades feeling very alone in this regard.