This question was sent in recently for Michelle Bridgman. Read her advice below.
"I am a transwoman, still going through transition. I see my self as very feminine and it is looking more and more likely that I am a lesbian or may be bisexual, attracted by feminine women. I would be grateful if I could get some advice regarding how I may be perceived by lesbian women who may have a problem with my history. Is there any literature or advice I could get before I start going into dating. Thank you very much."
You ask a very important question in a what can be a contentious area.
The short answer is that it is impossible to give an answer that will apply to all areas. Back in the 1980s it was almost a dead cert that you would be made unwelcome at best and would experience a hostile reception at worst. You would have been seen as a man invading women’s private domains. As more awareness grows cisgendered women will be more aware of what it is really like for a person who has changed their gender and who experiences themselves as female.
So you may wish to do one of several things; you may feel you don’t wish to disclose your history and feel confident enough in your acquired role to simply show up. Alternatively, you can check with the organisers and ask them if they have a policy or an approach to transgendered women at their gatherings. Maybe you could ask a female friend to check for you. If you do decide to attend in stealth because you are always accepted as female in society and don’t think your history is anyone’s business, you are perfectly entitled to do this but remember you then have to consider whether you disclose to any desirable partner when you are in that space or after you leave it. The question on disclosure with partners is for another topic.
A good tip might be to see if a friend will accompany you on a first visit as this may help you feel more confident. The downside to that approach is that everyone is likely to assume you are a pair but you would know what to expect on any subsequent visits.
Whatever you decide, be proud of yourself and don’t feel you have to apologise for who you are.