Transsexual
Yea, if someone told me you have to pay up to $50K or more for your transition and have tons of surgery just to get your dick sucked, I'd tell them I will pass and can you please turn on the dvd porn flick and hand me the bottle of lube 
No, we're not going to flame you sweetie, because that's not how we do things here, even if a question seems a bit on the rabble rousing side.
Transsexuals are NOT gay men. And being transgender is NOT a "lifestyle." I don't live substantially differently now than I did before I transitioned. (Well, I do have more money and friends... LOL)
Gender identity has nothing to do with being gay or not. Why would anyone want to put up with the BS just to get sex? Now I will agree not every TS girl is a knock out sex goddess, I'm certainly not and don't pretend to be, it's been a few years since I was 21... My TS-GF has one hot booty though. But I'd still live as a woman even if I never had sex again. Being TS isn't about sex, that's just a side benefit.
That said, I do personally know one "girl" who told me she had worked as a gay escort and had surgery specifically to make more $$ as a TS. And I have encountered men who dressed as TV's in order to escort. I recall one who actually had a pillow stuffed in his/her jeans. Made me value my flat ass even more, at least mine is real. That sort of stuff tends to annoy me, because I feel it misrepresents what "real" t-girls are about.
But as often as I sing the praises of TER that's why there are reviews and why you should either date known, reviewed, quality, professional girls or not complain too much when you TOFTT.
If anyone is actually interested in learning more about TS's and the whole gender issue take a look at the "TSRoadMap" web site.
Life is a one way journey, might as well live it fully.
Hugs,
TS Jamie
-- Modified on 5/31/2009 4:00:12 PM
With all respect for your well thought out comment I'd like to add two points please in hopes of clarifying things better for you and others.
One, while it's difficult to classify anyone specifically, "real" transsexuals do not make a choice to be TS or not. Transvestites may, cross dressers do. Not transsexuals. That is a clinical fact.
Transsexuals are not "men who have decided to become women," we are women who were born with a penis. For most it is considered a deformity. However for various reasons, usually financial, only about 15% of transsexual identified women in the USA will have a complete sex change.
There is a valid argument over whether non-op TS's are a third gender or what, but I'll leave that for another time.
Regarding appearance, just as genetic women range from beautiful to plain (speaking of plain, Susan Boyle, the singer comes to mind... would you rather date her with a vagina or a hot t-girl with a penis... LOL).
Transsexuals also range from gorgeous (did you know that a few years ago Miss Brazil was a post op TS? LOL) to needing a shave. But then a few of your grandmothers may need a shave too. LOL
I think where things get confused is that in the sex industry there are TS women who may perform as men (tops) in order to make money for whatever reason. Also the fact is the majority of men who are interested in dating a transsexual escort do so because they would like to experience sex from a more submissive standpoint. There is more to this argument also, but we'll defer it for later.
Secondly, there is no "TS Lifestyle."
I think what you are thinking of is the "vampire girls" who only come out after dark to hit the clubs to pick up a "trick." Or maybe the street trans scene populated by people living sad lives in lower income areas. But most of those people are not there by choice.
But other than girls with drug or mental problems most t-girls live pretty normal lives. Most drive decent cars, live in decent housing, may have a relationship. And you are more likely to run into them at the market than a gay bar.
Anyway, hopes this helps.
Hugs,
TS Jamie