Many of us have shared a lot about ourselves here and perhaps on other safe sites where we connect with like minded people. Have you ever told anyone who you really  are on the inside?  Someone outside this comfortable setting?  I did that a couple years ago and it was a very liberating, exciting experience.  I have been out dressed with other ladies in a controlled environment, in a venue that was safe and accepting, where I was surrounded by people who had similar stories and backgrounds to mine. However, sharing this deepest part of me with someone totally unrelated to this was a new experience.
I was at a business conference in Arizona.  I was, obviously, dressed in male mode when in public the whole time.  I met a young lady at, of all places, a bar.  Since we were both there for the same conference, we had lots in common so conversation was easy and very basic at first. She was MUCH younger than me so the talks were purely business and eventually more along the lines of how old friends talk.  One evening we were sitting at the bar talking and the conversation became considerably more personal.  She shared a time when she had done something very daring.  She asked if I had anything along those lines to talk about.  I said “yes, but you will think much less of me after I tell you my secret.”  She promised she wouldn’t and after a bit more coercing on her part, I told her that I was a long time cross-dresser and that my name was Ashleigh.  She asked if I had brought clothes with me.  I replied “of course.”  She then asked me if I would dress for her.
Now the scary part.  We went to my room where I went immediately into the bathroom to change.  When I was fully dressed, I came out expecting the worst in regards to her response.  I was amazed when she cried and told me I was beautiful.  She asked about the logistics of dressing to be convincing.  We talked for quite a while, and then it was time for her to go back to her room.  We snapped a quick “selfie”, exchanged contact info, and then she asked me to walk her back dressed as Ashleigh.  How I wish I could have!  Alas, too many business associates know me as a male so that was not possible.  We have kept in contact since then via email and text.  She made sure to tell that she had me listed in her contacts as “Ashleigh Marie.”
The moral of this story (to use an outdated cliche) is: Â there are many people outside our sphere of influence who are accepting and understanding. Â We often fear that we can never tell a soul for fear of the consequences. Â But, that’s a topic for another article.
Thank you Ashleigh, your story touches my heart in so many ways. It shows again that most of our fears of coming out are quite unfounded. Congratulations for finding another ally in your own journey.
Thank you for sharing. It gives me hope that there can still be a sweetness between people.
What an awesome story Ashleigh. I am amazed at your courage in opening yourself up to someone who had been a stranger so short a time ago! It inspires me o try and share Cyn with others. Thank you for this story!
Cyn
I love your story Ashleigh. It is wonderful to hear more stories that demonstrate that the fears many have are greater in their minds than in reality.
Stories here continue to show there are far more positives than negatives.
Thank you for sharing. Maybe one day you will get to escort the young lady somewhere as Ashleigh.
Great story Ashleigh. That article gives us all hope and encouragement to be accepted for who we are
Ashleigh, thanks for sharing your experience.
It’s wonderful to hear that there are many accepting people out there.
It’s also nice to hear that cross dressing can spark an inter-generational friendship.
Thank you Ashleigh for your wonderful story. I was able just yesterday to tell someone in my life for the first time. It was horrifying, and then incredible. I should preface this with a quick “I didn’t know." I would like to go into this more somewhere else here on the site, and I will, because I owe this site a huge amount of gratitude. I came to Crossdresser Heaven looking for a welcoming environment amongst the many that are judgmental even within the various crossdresser and TG forums on the internet. Welcoming, trust, and open conversation is exactly what… Read more »
Thank you for your story. I am always inspired when someone comes out and shows the other side of ourselves. I have come out to a few very close friends over the course of ten months, Prior to this, ha. never. I am always amazed how acceptable people can be. It is still hard but I am slowly learning to accept. 🙂
Very nice story. Always nice to have acceptance and a friend.
Thank you all for the comments and encouragement. It is alaways helpful to know that I am not alone in my thoughts and feelings. We all have similar stories and trials and it is so nice to have this place to share them without fear of judgement.
Together, we make each other stronger.