http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedccenter/ This group is dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) events and people in Washington D.C. Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:42:58 -0700 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:42:58 -0700 http://www.flickr.com/ http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1227/buddyicons/420926@N22.jpg?1199914570 http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedccenter/ http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedccenter/discuss/72157601986087760/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/michellemichael/">I AM Michelle-Marie</a> posted a new topic:</p> <p><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><br /> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gif" data-blocked-src="http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa291/Michelle-Marie51/8-11-07094BME.jpg" title="Click to load remote image from i201.photobucket.com" onclick="this.onload=this.onerror=function(){this.className=this.className.replace('blocked-loading','blocked-loaded');this.onload=this.onerror=null};this.className=this.className.replace('blocked-image','blocked-loading');this.src=this.getAttribute('data-blocked-src');this.title='';this.onclick=null;if(this.parentNode && this.parentNode.nodeName == 'A') {return false;}" class="blocked-image notsowide" /></a><br /> <br /> I had wanted a tattoo for so long but with a low pain tolerance and fear I had always put it off. My partner had already converted me on the beauty of piercing so this was the next step. <br /> I had seen the medieval astrological sign of Sagittarius. Its design is one that has also been used to represent a mixture of sexual characteristics and being a transsexual woman and a Sagittarian it was so meaningful. So I decided this would be the first tattoo I would get, it had such special meaning to me. I wanted it just above my ankle and about three inches. I also wanted it filled with the pride colors as I identify as a TransLesbian. <br /> It surprised me that it did not take long to complete. When Steve finished I sat there as tears filled my eyes, it was beautiful. <br /> When we got home I rested for a while and later took a shower. After as I lay with Cami I looked at my leg and a feeling came over me; I had made a change to my body that would last forever. Over three years ago I found acceptance of myself and who I had always been yet hid in fear and shame. I overcame that fear and started living and I have never been happier. I had by my tattoo made a commitment to be real and never to be something I am not in order to please others. It was a foreshadowing of my most important step to come, sexual reassignment surgery that will at long last give me a body I will truly be comfortable in. <br /> <br /> Michelle-Marie</p> Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:42:58 -0700 nobody@flickr.com (I AM Michelle-Marie) tag:flickr.com,2004:/grouptopic/72157601986087760