Story time Everyone <3

I was at a local bookstore I’d never visited before, having just finished therapy in the morning and it was nearby. Being an emotional sesh, talking about bottom dysphoria among other things, of course I was lowkey looking for a little treat for myself (that reward for emotional hard work).

Near halfway done browsing the main floor, I spotted a dummy thicc book about Lichen. Obviously I went to check it out. Opening it I found wonderful pictures of Lichen, which is what you’d hope for, and as the pages flipped this fairly brand new used book I found a folded sheet. It was an online order slip from, you guessed it, the bookstore this book was probably bought from originally! I was going to check the price, if it was there, but the presence of someone’s personal name and address on the top caught my attention. I brought the book to the front, giving them the paper to discard, and went on my way back to the stacks to return the Lichen to its home.

There was someone with their DSLR there taking a couple photos of the people running the cashier desk I’d just gone to. I could overhear the conversation a little about her going around taking photos in independent bookstores for some publication? As I had turned and was walking towards the shelves, I guess she’d finished the part at the entrance and was going to wander through the store taking more photos, I could hear behind me,

“I’m going to be following you as I’m going there and…”

I paused and turned attention. They were referring to me. They briefly explained what they were doing and asked if they could take a photo of me.

Slightly caught off guard, but willing to consider it. My mind quickly went through a system check if I was photo op appropriate + okay with my look/fit in the moment for it to be maybe immortalized. I was okay with my look for what I’d needed it for when going out, but I wasn’t what I’d consider done up much. I’d not slept supremely well, both my kids are still relatively sick and it was a PIA to get them asleep last night, so I was rushed in the morning to make it to therapy on time. Thankfully I’d showered and shaved, did not skip face routine nor sunscreen, and I compromised due to time so no wig and not bothering with any makeup but my eyes. I love doing my eyes, find it really easy, helps majorly with dysphoria and going outside my home, and I’m used to doing at least liner almost daily for a couple years already.

Black pants, soft, stretchy, atheltic wear from Reitmans. Soft pink hoodie, it’s Uniqlo’s DBZ set from a few years ago, embroidered Master Roshi w/ a nosebleed. It’s my wife’s hoodie. Pink/Beige hat I’d gotten from Reitmans in the fall, the pink almost matches the hoodie coincidentally. Eyeshadow, shimmering Liner, fine and pointed like usual Mascara, check Lip stain, still on but worn off from coffee cup and talking during therapy

Would definitely prefer I was fully put together for a photo, but I guess it’s appropriate that I’m not like that daily, being a busy mom with a 4yo and 11mo, and only about a year with HRT. I don’t do boymode, I am fem just about all the time, and even when I’m depressed and am not shaven and dislike how I look and maybe don’t do makeup, in the mirror I’m just a woman suffering some body hair complications :D

I felt okay enough with how I was looking and feeling, and thought a little of the potential. I could be locally famous lol

“They’ll be posted on … and instagram”

Ah.

I apologized and said I couldn’t because, well, instagram. Meta. Fascist America, tech bros training AI on peoples faces, etc.

Trans Joy from the story, it was a fun morning/day, and that was a memorable and fun encounter. There were people in the store, I didn’t see or hear her go to anyone but the employees, other than me for photos.

Real talk though: Are people feeling safe about selfies online still? On Lemmy? I want to share and be more involved with the community here in the Blahaj Zone, but I also have scrubbed much of my internet life away and down through the years since Covid and am being careful about content and my own images/family/etc being on the internet anymore with AI, bots, and capitalism being rampant…. Would love to hear thoughts.

I took this picture a few months ago but it still makes me happy. Usually I feel dysphoric looking at pictures of me without makeup, but I actually really like this one.

hell yeah

My only disappointment with this community is that we don't get more traffic, so lets have a megathread and share anything that brought us joyful genderfeels this week.

My moment of trans joy this week was, strangely enough, at a bowling alley birthday party for one of my partners. I'm an AMAB enby and my typical tomboy fit is unintentionally stealth (folks see a fancy waxed moustache and just assume I'm a guy despite the B-cup padded tits and skinny jeans that emphasize my hips), so moments of recognition tend to be rare. Catching a very significant gaze from what appeared to be a queer teen absolutely made my day. I think I'm finally becoming the visible enby I never got to see in the world when I was a kid.

https://cyberpunk.lol/@vantablack/114348028235248339

therapy waiting room selfie yipee

I feel really pretty in this one. The lighting was good. Pseudo cross posting from transfem as I was redirected but I figured I'd share another of my progress.

1.5y HRT + laser 1y.

Over three years of hrt and still finding new euphoria

She's been surprisingly supportive for an ol' church lady, and absolutely loved the fit I put together for my Dad's wedding.

new rainbow collar! :3