When it came to finding a girlfriend, I had tried with not even a date in ballet class.  But most of the women were married or jail bait.

When I did meet my current girlfriend, I told her that I was a transvestite on our first date.  She was not "okay" with it, but saw other things in me and we continued.  The strange thing is that in the two years since we've been together, my crossdressing has declined.  Something I NEVER thought would happen.  I learned from too many other times not to "purge" and throw my things away.  I have them packed away in boxes, always knowing that I can get to them if I need to.  In the past year, since moving in together, I have not been crossdressing at all.  I still consider myself a transvestite, and maintain my online persona as well as write for GIRL TALK MAGAZINE (I am SO overdue with an article).

Ballet, however, makes a WONDERFUL excuse to wear tights, unitards, leotards, etc.  Tutu's, however, will have to remain in their storage boxes.  I will be returning to class, after a year out, sometime in a week or so.

After going out in public to clubs like Dragstrip 66 in Los Angeles, and many others in New York City, I stopped hating myself for crossdressing.  I had done it for so many years, since that time when my mother first confronted me.  But after beeing with others who had a sense of humor and FUN about crossdressing, it seemed very natural and fun for me.  In the seven years since first going out, I've had a lot of fun and adventures and met some wonderful people.  Though I don't dress-up now, I continue to accept myself and not feel shame about it.  Life is too short.  Dressing up is ONLY CLOTHES.  If it makes us happy..... GREAT!

DANCE ON!

--EMPIRA

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