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Dilemma

Started by LittlemissSunshine, June 29, 2011, 08:55:17 AM

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LittlemissSunshine

OK... so basically my boyfriend has started to slowly coming out to people, and there are a few people who are already getting very close minded about it.
My dilemma is that I really want to do something like ask them to be more respectful towards him, but know it's gonna cause tension even more so. Specially as they're only friends with him, and I don't really wanna rock the boat and make him uncomfy.
I know it's only "small" things that he's doing like changing his gender on Facebook etc, and making more comments about not liking being female and wants to be male, as well as asking for info for name changes etc, and I know they're big leaps for him, but if it's causing this much difficulty for him already I'm scared it'll put him off, or batter his confidence in himself.
Any help in how to support him in the best way would be great, please...
p.s. any general support ideas for helping him through would also help.

Rose  :angel:

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spacial

You're doing fine. You may not know it, but you are.

As long as you never lose your belief in him, he won't in himself. But taking the knocks from the world, is sadly, part of life. People who won't accept him simply aren't and never were freinds. Think about it, you don't start telling your friends to chenge who they are.

His journey is going to be tough. All those facing this journey are in for a bumpy ride. It doesn't matter how much the world changes, it will always be a bumpy ride. It just happens to be a ride worth taking.
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ToriJo

I agree with Spacial.

Most guys don't want their female partner to fight their battles - that's part of being a man to many (not all though - there's plenty of variation).

What you can do, and will help, is to continue to recognize him as who he is.  I don't know how well he passes, but if people get his gender wrong, you can head some of that off two ways.  First, you can take advantage of the heterosexual imperative - basically if you're doing stuff like holding his hand or being affectionate, and people see it, and they are not sure if he's male or female, seeing him with a female makes them more likely to think he's male - particularly when both are playing the roles of heterosexual mates.  The other thing you can do, you can make sure to inject early in conversations the appropriate pronouns and terms.  For instance, at a resturant when the waitress asks where you want to sit, you can speak up and say, "I'd like a booth for me and my boyfriend."  You can do both of these around family and such too.

Basically, by you showing that you have no doubts, people around you will see your confidence and that will help them "decide" one way or the other.  Now of course if he passes really well, some of that isn't needed around strangers.  But showing the confidence and making sure to use male pronouns and such will let people who do know his past that you've already "made up your mind".
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LittlemissSunshine

 :laugh:
Thank you so much guys for your help.
I showed him my post and he felt really touched. He has had a word with one of his friends (one o many voicing issues with his comments) and has came out to them properly and resolved any issues with them. And no matter what I want to be there with him, just have to learn to let him fight for himself and not jump in all the time.

I have taken to calling him by his preferred pronouns and name whenever I can, it can be awkward at work (we both work in the same store) and in front of his mum who doesn't know yet, because I basically forget he was female. Unfortunately, he isn't passing yet (cant wait for the day he starts to pass I'll be so proud), but I never thought of that, that's brilliant advice Slanan thank you SO much  :D. As for confidence I think I have more now than ever with who he is because I can see how comfy he is as him and not her.

Sorry i that made no sense. :P. And thank you for all your great help and advice be sure to put it into use ASAP.

Rose xx
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