I’ve reached the end of my rope. I have no one else to turn to for help.?

I am a lesbian parent who also believed my sexual orientation would affect my ability to visit and maintain custody of my children. I found I was wrong.

I have looked up two sites on Michigan Custody Laws - though this is not legal advise - it is written fact by Michigan state regarding sexual orientation and transgender parents and both custody and visitation rights.

My best suggestion for you is to find a lawyer who can explain these laws to you, and is willing to aid you in continuing visitation if you do decide to live as a woman - which you should for your mental health - and how best to show this will be ok for the child. A child who learns early in life they have a gay or transgendered parent better accepts the parent for who they are and has less psychological issues regarding mixed signals - which may occur if you attempt be the gender you truly aren't.

Please seek mental health assistance to deal with the over powering emotions such a gender issue is causing you. It has been proven that transgendered individuals are truly the gender they feel they are - but are caught in the wrong body, and those who don't seek mental health assistance to accept themselves and make that transistion are at high risk of suicide. Please don't leave your daughter without your presence in your life by not seeking help to make the transistion you need too.

Good luck in all of this - you are a beautiful woman who will someday be seen as that by the rest of the world.

http://www.lambdalegal.org/news/pr/michigan-appeal...

http://www.hrc.org/your_community/1079.htm

Wow, sister. That's horrible.

Sadly, I'm many many miles away from you, otherwise, I'd run over there right now and give you a big hug.

Just so you can hear it from a perfect stranger - there ain't nothing wrong with you!!! You are perfect just the way you are. No one has any right to pass judgment on you or belittle you. I am very truly sorry that you do not receive any sort of support from anyone. That isn't right, I don't care who you are or what you are dealing with. Everyone needs someone to lean on.

I do have a hard time relating to your issues, as I am neither bisexual or trans. However, I know all to well what it is like to not fit in or belong. Even in the LGBT, I do not fit in or belong.

I don't know what my words will bring to you, if anything at all. I would hope at least a slight ray of promise that you are not alone.

I am always here as an ear if you ever need to bend it, or as a shoulder to hold your head as you shed some tears.

You will get through this. I have to believe in that.

@John - rude, just plain rude.

you know those $10 words do not make you sound any more intelligent.

I'm very sorry to hear about all your troubles, and I'm sure it's very difficult for you.

You should be there for your daughter, I know I don't have to tell you that connection is incredibly important.

All I can really think to suggest is move to the nearest major city. Population center = diversity of culture and thought. Perhaps you'll find a nice club or group of people who will accept you for who you are.

Plus, there is always the internet - and I don't just mean yahoo. Research. There's all kinds of stuff on the web, I wouldn't think it terribly difficult to find a nice forum full of like-minded individuals you could vent to.

I wish you the best of luck! Remember that we're put through hardship in order to grow and learn - all things pass with time. :)

Well, I did a quick look on the internet and came up with one link. I'm assuming that you live in the US:

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/helpline.aspx

It's a suicide hotline for LGBT youth (though I'm sure they'll also talk to you if you're not a "youth")

The best solution I can come up with is to completely remake your life. Start something new. Move somewhere where there is a high population of transgenders so you feel normal.

A survey was done which asked older men what was the one thing in their life that they would go back and change, if given the chance. The overwhelming majority said that they wished they would have spent more time with their children. You have a wonderful reason to live -- and this little girl will always love you, and look up to you. Please consider making a sacrifice for her, as you will never regret it.

Maybe religion is out of the question, but Jesus is real, and He created you, and has the answer to your deepest needs in life. Once, when I was 14 I decided to read the New Testament. It revealed Jesus to me, and I fell in love with Him. I hope you will not reject the One who has the power to help and heal and make things work out for you. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Have you ever thought--even remotely considered--that it's more important to be a rational, caring, reflective, productive human being than it is to be a "woman" or a "man"? What is this contemptible, petulant misanthropy that you so shamelessly indulge in? You "just want to be female and be pregnant"? You've got to know, THAT ain't going to happen--So more petulance? Frankly, knowing you like I now know you--and as your poor family must know you--I think your daughter ought to be taken from you and placed in protective custody. And you--should be thinking about getting yourself an education, and a hobby or two: Something to get your mind off your self, self, self, self, self.

you poor sweet girl. you are not alone!!! many, even most of us know exactly where you are coming from.

all i can say is...i am here. my name is pennyjane, i'm pennyjane4 on yahoo i.m. i am transsexual, two years post-op. i hear you. please get in touch with me, we can talk privately anytime you wish.

i also have a yahoo group. www.groups.yahoo/pennyjane/group

please, you don't have to face all this alone.

much love and hope. pj

Essentially what you're saying is,

You can live as a man, be miserable, but have your daughter

or

You can give everything up in order to be a woman.

Please try a transgender support group. (google: transgender support michigan) While this may not solve all of your challenges, it can help you to talk with others going, or have gone through, through similar issues.