sharing experiences of coming out - lets help one another

[lucy aylett]

hey everyone i came out recently to my family and friends it was pretty hard and for the most part i was too scared to tell most of them outright instead i changed my profile pic on my facebook page to me fully girled up and let them work it out. i found when ppl ask you a question which is a simple yes answer like do you want to be a woman? its so much easier then having to tell them whats been going on behind closed doors.

i would love to hear other ppls thoughts and experiences and hopefully anyone reading this who has not come out yet will find some helpful information from everybodies coming out stories

[Claire (formerly Magdalena)]

I'm one of those who's terrified of telling anyone. Any wisdom here would really help me. 

[lucy aylett]

i honestly though everyone would hate me when i came out i admit i didnt just hit the with some massive bombshell i stared to dress more femininly i grew my hair long started wearing a little bit of makeup just stuff to arouse ppls suspisions then as i said i took a photo of me all dolled up and set it as my profile picture on facebook . almost all of them worked it out pretty quickly i only had one bad response which i found suprising as a fair few of my friends are quite religeous tahts what i suggest for anyone who's completly terriefied.

[Jessica Merriman]

Girls, it is part of the process of transition, it has to be done. I lost a lot family, friends, etc. I just got to where the Dysphoria was stronger than my lack of willpower to notify (I hate Coming out) everyone of my intentions and plans. After it was over I felt a freedom I have not known in 47 years. All of my self hate, confusion, everything faded away at that point. I can now concentrate on what I need to do to be successful in transition instead of placating everyone but myself. There is no wrong or right way to do it as everyone is different and situations more or less complex. It is a critical first step though and you can't put it off. Especially if you have started HRT because they will figure it out soon enough and might be even more hostile toward you as they were not made known ahead of time so THEY could prepare. It is unpleasant, but it can and MUST be done. You would be surprised what total honesty can do. I notified some old co-workers and suspected I would lose all of them over it, but to my surprise several became my staunchest defenders and are actually helping me with transition. Not saying of course everyone should expect this. I was lucky being a Paramedic that my friends were used to the issue's involving ->-bleeped-<- and had treated and transported quite a few. Education of the subject allowed an open mindset. You can do it ladies, everyone here supports you fully and being a part of this family we are the only one's you need to be accountable to. Good luck and Huggles! 

[Incarlina]

Coming out has for me been a mixed bag, but mostly positive.
The first people I came out to were my closest friends, and to them I could just as well have said that the sky was blue. No one was shocked in any way.
Coming out to my sister was easy. She had sort of been waiting for it, but she's not 100% supportive even if she tries to be. She seems to be worried that it's not going to end well.
When I told my father he'd already been told by my sister. He wishes I wasn't TS, but he intends to support me in any way he can.
At college I first came out to someone who had become my best friend. At first she seemed to avoid the issue, but after she'd had some time to think she turned out to be 100% supportive. When I told her how the TS care works in sweden she said "Why do you have to go through all that? Can't they just take your word for it and give you hormones?"
Coming out on facebook was a mostly positive experience. My two stepsisters and all of my nieces were the first to click the like button, and the first to join me on my new account. Some friends from college have been very supportive, while a few others didn't follow me to my new account.
Society in general has been nice so far. My skin therapist has been very supportive. Her best childhood friend is an FtM, so she grew up with an understanding of trans issues. And after becoming a skin therapist she went to a TS care conference to learn as much as possible, since she knew she would get some TS customers.

Edit: I realized I forgot to mention my brother, which should say something in itself. My father told my brother about me, and later said "Your brother isn't too amused", whatever that means. So right now I'm not sure if I even have a brother anymore. I apparently still have my sister in law, though. And yesterday when I posted a video on facebook to show off my voice after completing voice therapy, she was the first to click the like button.
My family has in recent years spent christmas at my brother's house, and I'm not so sure I want to go there this year. So I will probably claim I'm working at my temp job on christmas, and then I'll go visit my father and my sister a few days later.