Well before i found out i was Trans*,i also said i was lesbian.(which is odd that my mother would accept that but not being Trans*) i also have the type of family you do or i *did*
have.One thing you have to remember is that many have their own orientations and own sexual preference but that should never be allowed to effect you.Regardless of someone elses ideas or views or opinions,be who YOU are and never let anyone degrade or down play that,even if they mean well by it.I had a girlfriend for a long time and it felt right but it felt wrong.I knew i was ment to be with a woman but still not knowing who i was,it still didnt
match.My mother gave me NO hassle over it and even talked to me on a normal bases about it.
That being said,honesty is the first step.with yourself and others.this doesnt mean to tell people your Trans* until your ready but to deal head on with people you feel might be leading you down their path for you.Correct your friend when she feels she needs to make clear *you* need to be with a man and listing all the reasons why.For me personally,i would get a negative vibe and would explain that i am NOT into men and i would ask that she stop correcting me.But thats me.That alone is a big step and taking charge of your life and where its
going.as you said *for the first time ever I felt like I was held back* thats what you need first of all,to make sure that feeling isnt repeated and allow yourself freedom.
the second is knowing yourself on a personal level.Its true we all start out with the knowledge of who we are but there is SO much more to it then that.there are ramifications that need to be strongly gone over (even a few times) *what about family,friends,job,what will T do to my body,how will it effect school* and so many other questions need to be answered.When i found out i was Trans*,i had NOTHING to lose because i had already lost everything and i was already in my 30s with no job/school.But there is so much that many have and this prepares us for the future that many *could/couldnt* have.Knowing that being Trans* alone is hard,the impact it can have on ones life,those around them and their future-its like drawing out a
map.So many places that one can go but only one place will be where we settle.That being said,i believe these are the two most important things
1) do not reform to anyones ideas or views.Because being Trans* alone,takes someone to have the guts/balls
to be who they are.
2) know deep down inside WHO you are.Fill your mind and heart with the right knowledge,outcomes and prepare for it all.
