I am 23 and I am out on my own, renting my own apartment. I graduated last year with my Master's degree and I have an entry level job at one of the top three companies in my field. All is well on that front.

I am the first one in my family to go away to college. I left home because I just could not stay home. While I was at home and after I was gone my mother accused me of being a pervert and she was convinced I would never find a man and I was going to hell anyway. I am not a pervert, I am a young woman who has male tendencies and likes female company. I'm a butch. For a while I dressed the part, mostly in high school and the first few years at college but have moderated my look and now I dress more feminine and wear some jewelry and can pass myself off in a crowd as being a professional woman.

I took the job I have because of the career opportunities, not because it is in a city where a lot of perverts live. But of course a lot of perverts live in this city. Maybe I have just gotten older, now I am looking for the right person, I really don't get anything out of a one night stand which was the normal college experience.

I am going back to my sister's wedding in September and I am going to be the Maid of Honor. I am letting my hair grow out, my nails grow out, I am buying and wearing much more feminine clothes and I find that I like it a lot. As a side benefit I get invited to more office parties and get togethers. I am not changing my stripes, I am still looking for the right person, I know she is out there. I am just not going to carry her off on the back of a motorcycle.