I've been TG all my life, I've known inside who I am, but never understood what transgendered really meant. When I grew up there was no information about TG so I took everybody else's opinion that I was just "weird" or "perverted". It's taken a long time to fully understand, and accept, who I really am, and you know what - I now like myself. I'm not bad, in fact I'm a good person, I've spent my life standing up for the rights of others and fighting against prejudice and bigotry. Yes, I don't conform to the black and white stereotype of gender, because I don't believe that exists for most people. If you see gender identity as a washing line with archetypal male at one end and ultra female at the other end, how many people would peg themselves on that line at one extreme end or the other? In reality we're all scattered along that line at various places identifying more strongly in one direction or the other. I happen to have been born with a male body, but identify most strongly with the feminine part of my character/gender identity/persona/whatever you want to call it.

I don't believe that in all of the complexities of nature anything is black or white, it's just society that tries to make it that way, and some of the less-enlightened (aka knuckle walkers) try to enforce it by abuse or violence.

I only really came out in 2002, but I've met some terrific girls since then and am trying to make up for lost time, which to begin with meant finding as many TG-friendly venues as possible, and sharing experiences and ideas with other girls. I've now moved on to accepting who I am and trying to live with that in the "real" world. If you're obsessed with labelling people then I'm a TV/TG/TS/CD/T-girl - you choose the label. I think of myself as quite a nice person doing their best in life with the cards they've been dealt. I can't change anybody's opinion of what they think I am, so there's no point in trying. I have to be me and accept whatever comes with that. If I get ridicule and abuse from some people, then that's a problem they've got, it's not mine, as long as it doesn't lead to mindless violence I can live with that. I believe the future of humanity is a world where everything that doesn't hurt others is the norm. It won't happen in my lifetime, but if I don't get out and be seen in the "real world" who's ever going to see us girls as "normal"?

I'm 5'11'' tall with a shapely figure, brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. I like to dress in a modern, stylish, elegant and feminine way and put a lot of effort into achieving what I have been told is a very feminine look. The majority of my wardrobe comes from Next, Debenhams, Principles, Wallis, Coast, etc., although I am a bit of a shopaholic and can often be found browsing in any shops I think may have something exciting and elegant to offer.

My album shows some of my efforts to look the best I can, which I hope is at least improving with time and effort - a lot of time and gee what a lot of effort ;-)

I've written a few articles for Repartee magazine and anybody that has read them will recognise the motorcycle in some of my photos (new pix on new bike now available).

I'm not looking for a relationship of any description, but close and fun friendships are good. I do read all of the comments left on my pix and appreciate everybody taking the time and effort to write. I like to hear from other TGs with similar tastes who have a good sense of humour and would like a sincere chat and maybe like to find some new TG-friendly venues, or get out in the real world and just "live". I have a great passion that I don't want to be on my death bed and say "I wish I'd done x y or z . . . " If that ever happens I've only got myself to blame for not getting out there and doing it, nobody is going to do it for me!

If you are totally anonymous on Flickr (ie: no profile or pix) you'll get access to some of my photos. If you've got a profile and photos of yourself I'm happy to mark you as a friend and you can see all my pix. If that's not possible please mail me, I'm always receptive to hear why you're not able to be open, and why you want to be my friend.

I hope you like my photos, and please leave comments, because I really appreciate you taking the time and effort.

Love, Nicole xx