I was 16, before I met my first
male-to-female transsexual. It was then that I
understood that I was transsexual. I had no idea
there was such a thing!
I was educated at Catherine McAuley High
School for girls and raised Catholic. I guess
you could say that now I am a bit of a free
spirit.
My name is Alexander Christopher Gibson
though, just plain Alex is cool. I’m a guy
– a male, straight, and started
testosterone around nine years ago in 1993.
I use injections, for the simple reason that
I can order them from any chemist. As I have
travelled around a bit in my life, I just find
it easier. At the moment, I’m living in the
western suburbs of Sydney.
Over Christmas – New Year I’ll be
moving up to the Blue Mountains, which is
further away from the coast. I’ve lived in
country Victoria (yes it’s possible!!) and
also in Sydney city.
Transition
The first 6 months of transition was the
worst part. The best part of my transition was
changing into guy’s clothes for the very
first time!!
When I transitioned I knew nobody else who
was ftm. I’ve only met one transguy from
the aussie-guys email list – David - over
New Year and it has been almost nine years since
I started transition. So I haven’t had any
personal role models as far as transition goes.
I guess you could say my own personal dreams
were my inspiration.
When I first changed, all I wanted was to
look like a guy….That was it, simple I
know. I feel that this has been met.
At the moment, I’m in the process of
detailing my experiences so far on my website -
www.alex-gibson.com.
I am only out to close family and friends. I
have had coming experiences at both ends of the
scale. Some have been great, others not so
great. I wouldn’t say that telling people
about my past is something I think about.
Sometimes it’s an important thing, and
sometimes it’s not. It really depends on
the situation.
I would say to guys who were thinking of
transitioning to talk as much as they can to
other people, and other trans-guys, to use
people as sounding boards, and don’t judge
yourself. If you’ve just started
transitioning, “hang in there”.
Follow your dreams, and never let anyone tell
you how you should live your life. You only have
one shot at it, so shoot for the stars.
Family
At first, my family was completely hostile.
This has changed to the present time, where they
are completely accepting.
Today, I think I am fairly close with my
family. We talk about issues that are happening,
and I am able to talk about issues that cropped
up in the past with them. Today, I feel that I
am part of many different families. I feel like
I am a part of very close friend’s
families, my own family and online communities
such as FTM Australia.
Surgeries
About 2 years after beginning hormones, I had
two lots of chest surgeries, in a private clinic
at Edgecliff run by Dr Pouw. Earlier this year,
I had my hysterectomy. This was a difficult part
of my transition, hearing nurses gossip about me
being ‘a freak’ while I was recovering
from surgery.
Work
Recently I started an online Counselling
Business. I am a qualified counsellor, I have
just completed a small business course 1 week
ago.
I had worked as a nurse prior to studying
counselling. Due to some trauma some years ago,
I decided to leave nursing and study something
within the ‘people industry’ so that I
could give back, what was given to me. I am
completely and utterly devoted to
counselling.
Relax!
I tend to spend my weekends working or
playing xbox!! I enjoy visiting friends and
walking my dogs. I just do normal stuff
Future
I look forward to my future very much. I
expect I’ll experience only happiness and
success. Besides transition, general life with
the usual trials and tribulations have shaped my
life. I don’t have children at the present,
but there is nothing more in this world that I
love to have.
