Small background: I made my feelings directly obvious at 16, taking a big risk. Could have been out on the street if all didn't go too well. I was raised by only my mother until I was 8, myself, so that may have affected some perceptions of how she saw me, to that point.
Of course, my family had other ways of knowing, as we all likely have, if they chose not to ignore them, coming to mind is the pink headband I made at age 4 to make me happy that whole day, in preschool, and a note signed as "Juliet" as a love note to a boy. Self portrait around then was funny, too, I used an X or a bandage over my crotch.
Quote from: learningtolive on May 06, 2013, 11:00:13 PM
How did your family initially react when you came out? If negative, how did both you and them handle the situation? If positive, how so?
They really had no idea (later admitted to: 'Oh, I should have seen this with you, I'm sorry I didn't.'), were unsure of what this all entailed, and wanted to rule everything else out first; kind of a neutral reaction. While they didn't mean to harm, I had a late puberty, so that would up really affecting facial hair, not going to Prom, though, not much else that isn't basically treated, since I started early enough.
Although, I heard some things that were negative, they were more of a lack of information than intentionally harmful. For instance: My mother claimed SRS was a mutilation, but because she thought SRS was simply a cut off, not an inversion, that they reuse parts of it made her feel better. Why, I don't know, but, hey. The power of education, never know if it could be useful.
Quote from: learningtolive on May 06, 2013, 11:00:13 PM
Once you started your transition, how did your family respond to the change? If negative, how did you push through?
I haven't on a physical level, but in terms of hormones, and when the day comes, next winter, when I begin life as me the reaction has basically been that of happiness. Mainly because they want me happy and not dead. I know they'll be happy to see me live my life, not only for my happiness, but that it was their suggestion to live as me for a few days as me during the Philly Health Conference. Yay mother-daughter shopping trip soon to shop for said days!
Quote from: learningtolive on May 06, 2013, 11:00:13 PM
After you made major progress in your transition, did anything change or were their attitudes similar to those of the past?
Not totally applicable, but I can't see them changing their minds to say that I'm awful or whatever. Heck, my mother is massively involved with my university's GLBT scene, rights push, etc., so I can't see that changing after all these years. Additionally, my mother met Christine Jorgensen forever ago, which gave her some perspective on me.
Quote from: learningtolive on May 06, 2013, 11:00:13 PM
Lastly, for those who transitioned while at home with family, how did both you and your family manage? Was there positive aspects of transitioning while living with family? For those with family who rejected it initially, how did you feel and go about transitioning at home when everyone else wanted to stop you and did their best to do so?
We just...did, so far, and we will for the foreseeable future. My sisters just have it explained that I'm their sister, my family understands their choices were with me is that I live as me, get the treatment needed, or die. Unfortunately, they get to see my HRT mood swings, but it'll prepare them for their other 2 daughters a few years in advance, right? Honestly, given my support network, from doctor, parents, university, professors at said university, etc., there's nobody within a 10 hour drive (grandmother) who has not wanted me to go through with this. Can't ask for much more, it probably has saved my life a few times over the years.
I guess the downside, if there is one, since this is a variable per person concept: My family wants me to be OUT, and by out, I mean like doing interviews, from paper, to TV and all that. I'd do that if you gave me SRS funds, since I value that; the sooner the better. But why? My mother in particular claims that this is the next big movement (as it is with homosexuality these days). Not that it's my basis, but she finds it great I can help make a difference because of my story. She's also devoutly religious, stating God gave this to me for a reason, that if I couldn't deal with it, I wouldn't have this. See, that's just GREAT if you want to be an activist, some do. I am not; I just want to get this hellish birth defect fixed, live life, move on, try to avoid it as much as possible. My father doesn't care what I do in an 'out' sense; he just knows this is right for me on a psychological (his background) level, and how much more calm I've been since starting HRT, something more of a quiet supporter, but he's absolutely been there when I need to tell someone about personal pain I experience.
Really, learningtolive, I hope you get a positive response, I really do- and thanks for responding to me in that other thread. If I had to suggest any advice, I'd drill it in their heads. You being female will be the only topic you are willing to discuss. It shows there is no other way. It might be annoying at first, but that's sometimes what has to be done.
