The Internet
April 1996 saw the installation of an AOL online CD and rapid personal development of Rachel as we know her today. All courtesy of the World Wide Web.
You got it. One of the first words I typed into the search engines was... go on have a guess? YES!
TRANSVESTITE
And guess what - I found a wealth of like-minded people out there! What I wasn't prepared for was just how many people were doing what I'd been doing, but more importantly enjoying every minute of it.
Obviously there were the sad stories of broken marriages, upset and despair, but the vast majority were dealing with this part of their lives in a very positive way.
Suddenly I was emailing and chatting to people all over the UK - it was great!
You cannot imagine (unless you're another Tranny, of course) just how liberating the feeling was to discover you're not alone in this world - you have literally thousands of potential friends, and that's just in the UK.
One of the major influences of the Net for me was the unofficial 'Northern Concord' website based on the TV/TS self-help group based in Manchester. This site had literally hundreds of links to tranny sites where I learnt about the well-worn path most of us tread down: Discovery, Guilt, Denial, Purging, but now with the help of the Internet hopefully the self-acceptance and peace and joy that comes with it.
In October 1997 I had the opportunity to go to Scotland, so I made arrangements to stop by at a Northern Concord Wednesday evening social gathering at 'The Rembrandt Hotel'.
Well, as I walked into the bar the atmosphere of pure relaxation hit me like a wave, soothing away the stresses and strains of life. I sat and chatted with Trannies who looked so relaxed and comfortable that by the end of the evening I made a promise to myself I would be back in Rachel mode at the next available opportunity.
I got home that night and immediately told my wife I would be going to Manchester to the Northern Concord meetings whenever I felt the need.
She could tell by my attitude that she could take it or leave it - my mind was made up.
At this point I had never been out dressed and had no intention of doing so - only nutters do that!
Anyway, the next trip to Manchester saw Vanessa, as she was then, sport her togs and hit the Rembrandt for what she thought would be an entertaining evening in with the 'girls'.
Well, Tim, Danny and Steve had other ideas. Now, I dare say you're familiar
with the concept of a bloke dressed up as a woman giving himself a girl's
name - well it makes sense doesn't it - go on nod your head.
Not to these blokes in dresses Tim, Danny and Steve looked very presentable
in their outfits but conforming to such niceties as femme names obviously
wasn't their bag.
Anyway, they took pity on a new 'girl' and I was quickly feeling comfortable, until that is, Tim said, "Where shall we go now?"
Are we referring to a trip to the 'ladies', I thought.
No, no, no. We were off out to 'Via Fossa' of course, then onto 'Metz' followed by 'Napoleans'.
Oh my God, don't do this to me, but no mercy was shown. I click clacked down the stairs and out into the cold night air. I was shaking but not from the cold.
These 'girls' obviously weren't bothered at the thought of walking about in broad darkness in the middle of Manchester, so I took heart and tried to mingle inconspiciously with my long blonde hair, 4" heels and ra-ra skirt. Needless to say I was noticed but there were no adverse comments and even one or two compliments from other 'girls' out on the town.
After about half an hour I was floating on air - only to be brought down to earth by some bottom pincher in 'Napoleans' - never did catch him (I assume it was a he).
Well, that was the first of the occasional trips to 'The Village' in Manchester, about three a year, and you can pick up on my other trips out with my diary which picks up the story from 1999.
There will, no doubt, be further developments in the life of Rachel, and I will try to bring them up to date in my diary section.
So if you're wondering whether your Tranny feelings are going to go away I am honoured to be able to inform you... NOT A CHANCE! So go out and get a Tranny life will you, then I'll look forward to seeing you on the scene!
Take care and obey the first commandment - enjoy it!