[Martina]

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.

[Martina]

This was my first Transformal and the whole event was a delight. I had a thoroughly good time and so did my partner. We are already planning to come to next year’s Transformal as a major event in our calendar. Again many thanks to Amanda and her helpers for a job well done.