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Hairdressing Story – Raising Awareness of Transgender Issues
Shortly before the Transformal, I went to a local hairdresser (as a boy) to have my real hair, of which there is not very much, cut. I also took a new human hair wig with me thinking I would pluck up the courage to ask the hairdresser if she could re-colour, cut and style it for me. She said she had never done it before but was willing to try; however, she would need someone to wear it while she was working on it. She then asked who it was for. I said: “If I told you it was for me, would you faint?” She laughed: a good start I thought. Sadly though, she could not fit me in before the weekend and the deal was off. (I wore a synthetic wig to the dance.)
The following week, I went back with the wig and made an appointment. I asked Elizabeth, the hairdresser, if it was OK if I came as a girl. She said no problem. So on Thursday I turned up in a pretty dress and a short wig but with the new wig in a bag. After swapping wigs, Elizabeth and her apprentice set to work and about 2 hours later I emerged a new and happier woman. While I was there, Elizabeth, who was not shy about asking questions, wanted to know more and I told her my history and about what being transgender meant. I added that it had been a very positive experience for me, a voyage of self-discovery and enlightenment, and really becoming myself for the first time. I was delighted that she seemed to have no hang-ups about the subject and was willing to explore and ask questions. I wish there were more people like her who are willing to accept that for some of us being male or female are not the only options.
I thought that this was a good story with a positive outcome. Hope others like it.
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6 Replies
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What a great story!
As for your wish – that there are more folk around like Elizabeth – my growing experience is that your wish may already be true.
Seems like the real keys to your success here were your own self-confidence and openness.
Within the past year, I’ve finally summed up the courage to tell my favourite cousin. She responded by explaining that she felt privileged that I had been able to bestow my trust in her to this extent.
Her response made me realise that I could have told her several decades ago! It has also given me the confidence to go on and tell several others – all with positive outcomes so far.
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I think you are right Anya. About 6 weeks ago, an old friend of my wife, Jill, stayed with us for a couple of days. She has stayed with us many times both here and overseas but this time I asked her if she would like to meet Martina. She was a bit incredulous at first but I explained my transgender nature to her and she agreed that I could dress while she was there, which I did both evenings. Her first reaction when she saw me dressed for the first time was that she would not have recognised me in the street, which is what most people seem to think when they first meet Martina. We saw Jill at her home last week and she asked about Martina and the Transformal demanding to see photos. She seems totally accepting and has no problems with my status. I like that.
As you suggest, self-confidence plays a large part in being able to relate to other people and it is so gratifying when they accept you as you are – yourself.
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Hi to all on TGR,
With the exception of people like the wonderful Michelle from Luminance Make Up Artistry who has now completed two fabulous makeovers on me, my experiences in this area have been confined to the lovely lady “vendors”from whom Caty buys her mostly on line clothes and shoes. This of course is all either via e mail or phone
Obviously the list must begin with the lovely Tanya from the Breast Form Store. Then we move on to Judy from Lady Bird Lingerie up in Qld, Christine from ET Costumes and Mira from Glamazon Shoes here in Melbourne are all great people and very accepting of TG’s. In addition they are all prepared to join into seeing the funny side of things now and again and are quite accepting of a male wanting to purchase their wares.
Some of these wonderful people have even asked a few intelligent and incisive questions about “us folk”, which of course I am always happy to answer.
So yes, there is much more acceptance around these days and this is a far cry from the bad old days, which unfortunately, I ma “mature enough” to have experienced.
Happy dressing/acceptance everyone
Caty
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They are lovely story’s to read Martina and I am happy for you.
I also believe people are becoming more aware and I too will answer any questions asked of me. My hairdresser is forever asking me for information about TG issues, he is very interested and wants to educate his customers if they mention anything in his shop etc.Cheers….Karly
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Good story from Martina and her wig. Nice to see such acceptance from those around us, and I believe such acceptance is increasing especially from businesses who are more than willing to accept our loot. My hairdresser is also very accepting however does charge me the going rate for women, even when dressed in DRAB.
However, whilst all this acceptance is wonderful, do remember such folk are not emotionally involved (I assume). Emotionally involved folk are a different story, that’s why relationships dissolve rather rapidly when the truth is out there. -
You are of course right Liz. People who are close to you may have difficulty if you suddenly declare your TG tendencies. I am one of the lucky ones who has an understanding wife, but I know many who don’t, which saddens me greatly. Why won’t some people accept you as you are rather than who they want you to be? However, I have no plans to involve my adult children; I just don’t see the need.
