Petey: >You know damned well what is the accepted dress code for a woman's ballet class "these days".  It is the same as all the other days.  Are you really interested in studying ballet?  Or playing some game?

Well Petey, balletboy has a good friend who was the nurse that ran the first "clinic" for pre-op and post-op transsexuals in the US.  During the pre-op period, the guy has to take hormones and strat living as a female to build up an understanding of what life will be like as a gal.  These people are NOT freaks and should not be mis-treated.  They're human beings.

If Melissa is looking forward to her new life, I can understand that she wants to be able to fit in as much as possible.  If Melissa never took ballet as a guy, she can't be expected to know how gals dress in ballet class.

And Melissa, nowadays the gals in ballet class typically wear tights (not always pink), leotards, ballet slippers and usually wrap skirts.  Some schools have dress codes such as pink tights and slippers, black leotards and wrap skirts.  

But I assume you are "older" and would be taking adult classes.  Most adult classes allow anything that's comfortable.  That should make it easier to dress for you prior to the surgery.

Melissa, I also have to be honest.  In pre-op state you also have to be careful, because many schools will be "concerned" about guys taking ballet classes dressed as a gal.  I would suggest that before you start you find a school and get comfortable with the staff, enough to tell them that you're a pre-op transsexual.  I don't know what it's like in Portland, but believe that most people should be understanding.  I could be wrong, after all, look at Petey.

I don't think it would help to start taking classes as a guy, and returning after the surgery.  My nurse friend Judi tells me it's best for pre-op transsexuals to be immersed in their new life-style before surgery.

Do you have a "clinic" that helps you address these issues?  I'd bet that someone there knows of a ballet school and can help you get into ballet.  I'm not in Portland, but if I had a friend who was a pre-op transsexual who wanted to take ballet, I'd be happy to go to the director of my school and help pave the way.  If you don't have a friend into ballet already, someone from your doctors offices may be willing to help.

Good luck.  I hope you get into ballet because, reagrdless of the body, ballet is good for everyone!  balletboy