[Bridgette]

That’s a very interesting question! I’ve had a couple of names over the years but ended up with Bridgette because I liked the way it sounded. I’ve never known any Bridgette’s in my life so I can’t say it was a close friend or a loved one that I respected. I guess in the long run, we choose what we feel comfortable with.

[Bridgette]

What a lovely story. thank you for sharing t with the rest of us. Do you think he knows where and who he wants to be ? I only ask as my first experience in dressing in girls clothes was in my sisters clothes at the age of . I knew then there was something about the way I felt and obviously being Bridgette is a part of my life. I’m happy for your grandson as I believe that identifying with your gender, at an early age, is much more widely accepted.
It must have been very heart warming for you as well.

[Bridgette]

Hi Clair,
This a very important post for a few reasons. Thank you very much for uploading the two videos.
It’s important on a couple of levels. Firstly, I note during Carl’s apology he states that he had heard from friends that were part of the GLBTQI community and that he did not understand of the offence or hurt he had caused due to his sense of humour. I guess that may mean that Carl is actually acceptant of all people due to the friends he has. Secondly, It’s great that the issue gets air time and, as you say, a genuine apology was made to the community. I’m so glad to see this happen. Who knows, maybe because Channel 9s switchboard may have run hot with calls, or an abundance of messages on social media to 9, the producers may have sat down and realised the, unintentional, damage the original comments made. (Nice to know senior executives of a media station have enough common sense to see where an injustice needed to be corrected)

[Bridgette]

I must admit I ventured down this road a few years ago just to see what it was like to experience the feeling of physically looking female. I can’t say that I took to the prosthesis very well and decided not to use it. I purchased mine from the same store as previously commented. I did check the link and have to say, the materiel must be more realistic these days as the price seemed quite high. But each to his own .. if it makes you feel more comfortable then all the power to you

[Bridgette]

Its a wonder that today’s youth has nothing better to do than to pick on defenseless people. It doesn’t surprise me though. Assault isn’t just limited to the Transgender Community. These days any young guy or girl who has had too much of a time on the town act out. Luckily for us they are easy to spot. Once they open their mouths they use the terms Straya instead of Australia or Fink instead of think. Just another incitement that demonstrates our education system requires an overhaul

[Bridgette]

I guess it depends on your size .. For me there are many great on-line stores available. Believe it or not you can get just about anything from the US or UK and sent to you within a week these days. Shoes are always an issue for me but I found a great online store called Shoebuy. Make up and general clothing you can just about get anywhere.

[Bridgette]

I can only comment on the absurdity of the way some areas in the USA think. In this day and age where we have Gender Neutral toilets in Defence (And have had for more than 10 years), one can only take pleasure in knowing we are ahead in accepting people in more ways than one in comparison with our American neighbors.

[Bridgette]

God no! There is such a difference. From my perspective dressing up starts when I shop for the outfits that I love. It’s a holistic experience, from the time I prepare and hide imperfections with concealer stick to the end when slipping in a pair of heels and putting on Opium.. Its all dressing up in that sense girls!

[Bridgette]

This is an extremely interesting topic! How do you caveat “How to pass” or what “passing” means. I believe it would be more than just the physical sense of donning a frock, make up and the ancillaries that make us physically look feminine. It must also be, in a greater sense, our emotional state and being within. I agree with Adrian that there is a greater acceptance of transgender people in society today and the flow on effect is: “A wider acceptance from a greater demographic within this country”. I was watching “Gogglebox” just the other night. The window into the world of people and their expressions on how human beings are treated, after the Caitlin show demonstrates there is a phenomenon happening in this country regarding acceptance of people and not stereotypic male/ female gender. Sadly, it also demonstrated the number of innocent people who had their lives taken by inhumane human beings.
Stares,giggles and mistreatment is still lurking behing behind crowds and dark alleys ladies. Everyone needs to demonstrate that being who we are is what is important.

[Bridgette]

Excellent article .. thank you so much

[Bridgette]

I have to agree it was an excellent expose’ on the life of someone who has decided to make the transition with support of an open minded partner. I can recall Savannah’s first appearance around 2011/2012 and if you search hard enough you can still find a few pictures of her at a Newcastle Café night.

At one stage Savannah maintained a Facebook account and probably still does if you can find it. She was active in posting her experiences back then.

Sadly I did note that she was threatened with being blackmailed for money and “Outed” to her work colleagues if she did not pay up. I believe this dented her confidence and she suffered from depression for an extended period of time. Never the less, she soldiered on (She did state she was in the ADF Reserve Army) and came out the other end better for the experience.

I applaud Chanel 7 for airing the story and only hope Savannah’s courage in making her experience open to the wider Australian community paves the way for more of us being widely accepted.

[Bridgette]

To be honest with you a Tea Length or knee length dress that shows your curves can be just alluring as a short dress. Short dresses are fine so long as they don’t ride up and show the lesser half of your buttocks. I applaud you sewing skills and recycling techniques but legs aside .. glamour can also be in make up and a well fitting garment.

[Bridgette]

I have to agree with Jane’s comments above. Transgender embraces many aspects or levels of being who we are. The thrill of an escape for a weekend and getting ready to go out, The comments added to the many discussions in these forums, The people that organize outings or support others are all about being transgender and being happy about it.

[Bridgette]

I’m from the ACT so I can only echo what Liz has said. Gender isn’t shown on license’s. I don’t see any reason why it should be .. Unless the Government roads department want to do a survey on how many licenses are suspended by Gender.

[Bridgette]

This is an excellent post by Chantelle. I’m happy for you as you’ve come to a point of restitution in your life. You have mentioned your age and your physical attributes (great legs) and that you were a runner for most of your life. I’m guessing that if you were a long distance runner then you used to breaking through the pain barrier and each race’s end is really the start of another. From my perspective, I think you have found the ground your happy with and maybe settled back after running a 10km to the relative ease of a 5km run, knowing that all the practice runs made you as great as you are.

Great post