This is a revealing question mostly because it deals with coming out ... ie the hardest part for me. My wife is clearly in the know, and essentially on board. We go out quite often together as two women, shopping both for clothing and regular everyday grocery shopping, and also for sightseeing. When I was still working, I had a flat for my weekly travel to the office and there, everyone in the block knew me as Isabelle. For this Monday-to-Friday set-up, I had a number of social activities as Isabelle. One of these used to involve going to the pool for "acqua-gym" and there were only ladies including me in the group. Going to the swimming pool as a woman, then getting into a swimsuit, with wig, suitably hooked up, maintaining minimum makeup and mixing with the 'girls', all while concealing the obvious was an amazing and challenging experience.
The short conclusion here is that I have decided not to communicate about Isabelle with family and friends and instead, create a separate and parallel group of friends. I decided this would be the easiest solution, not so much for me but for my wife.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experience with you.
