This is actually a really difficult question to answer. Like many here, I believe that my own internalised homo/trans phobia was so great,and past experiences of anxiety, depression, and rejection so strong, they have actually clouded my mind.
I'll tell you this though.
Sept 2010 - I log onto YouTube. I type in the search field - MTF transition.
Now I know to most of you in the community this means something, but to the general populous outside? I doubt it. I had been living as a gay male for over 10 years, but wasn't in the scene, or even read street presses or anything like that- so where did I pick up a phrase like that?
Like many of you I started to reflect back on my life to have those ahhhh moments. That's why!
I do believe that I have come to time in my life when I am ready. Before this last month I began to feel that maybe my dysphoria wasn't great enough- not proper enough.
I had been to counseling before for depression and for ADHD testing; All of my own doing; in an attempt to find what was wrong with me. I must admit that at no time did I equate any of "my" dramas or problems to gender?!
....and yet here I am, able to feel for the first time in over 30 years - and I mean cry ( god it hurts), something I never did before. Even when really, really, really down. My emotions just never seemed to show.
Jenny