out to more folks, and Ive noticed some things

[jaybutterfly]

despite the way some have reacted, it has really shown who my true friends are. Some have dissaprooved and stopped talking to me, some have criticized me and refuse to believe ->-bleeped-<- exists or that it is simply a means to confuse and mislead others. But for the most part, the people I was worried wouldnt accept me actually have, and its lessened my fears and misery this has caused me massively. The ony people I fear talking to about this are my family, and even they are seeming to shift in view. Ive subtly been bringing trans and lgbt issues into conversations and educated them on bits of culture regarding that (small stuff at first. You'd be surprised how under a rock my folks are about sexuality and gender. Still in the 'pink on a man means hes gay) and it seems to be helping, at least with my mother.

I'm by no means ready to come out to them, but Im hoping someday I can. I feel more settled in myself because of the support of my friends and my counsellor for CBT. She has admitted to not being knowledgable on trans issues, but she has gone away looking for gender specialist counsellors to get in touch with so she can be better equiped to help, or refer me to them directly for that while we talk my depression and anxiety symptoms seperately.

One of the big things for me was coming out to someone I know whose been interested in being with me, actually. We've known each other a while and I actually out and told her, and she's surprisingly cool about it, doesn't mind what I wear or how I express myself so long as there's loyalty. That's been a huge boost to my mood this week, and even though we're not together, we're considering it and how we can make it work (good few hours travel apart currently) but its kind things like that which are helping me along this road. I don't feel isolated and that I'm going to be super lonely and misunderstood anymore.

I'd like to say a big thanks to everyone on here for your kindness by the way, I wouldn't have gotten this far without you all and it means so much to me to not be on my own with this


much love

Jaybutterfly

<3

[Rachel]

Congratulations on coming out. That is a huge step and I am glad you have someone to share and have support from.

[Gina Taylor]

I'd like to extend my congrats to you as well. It's a big step. I was with some friends yesterday and they all told me that they've all excepted me for who I am, so there is no need to press it on them. For some reason I tend to talk to much about my transsexual problems too much. But like yourself, I'm really happy that you've been able to find out who your true friends are. 

[awilliams1701]

I think I've made progress with one of my sisters who claims to accept her lesbian friends when its clear she only tolerates them.

the other sister I haven't told yet, is a lost cause at least until I come out. She slaps down every pro LGBT post I put up with her bible. Her husband once told me all gay people need to be stoned to death. I'm concerned I may loose her as my sister but who knows. I was homophobic until I met a guy guy and I was transphobic until I started looking into people like me. In both cases it was out of unjustified fear.

[Vale]

Thank you Jaybutterfly for your post. Really cheered me up a bit. Been coming out slowly to friends, I keep a close group of them and I'm so thankful all of them support me. Came out to my brother and his fiance who are both supportive of me. Brought up the topic of transgender to my parents. They both seem ignorant about it and some of my mother's comments on the topic really depressed me a bit. They're also religious and assumed that transgender was about sexuality. I think I'll be able to get through to them though.

[Felix]

Grats on the steps you are taking. It's hard having to be the only trans person a lot of people know, and it sounds like you are patient with the folks you care about.

[awilliams1701]

I don't think I've ever met any in person. At least not that I know of.

[jaybutterfly]

I don't think I've ever met any in person. At least not that I know of.

I briefly met a trans girl at my uni, and I know a few genderqueer folk as well IRL but not super close to them. Locally Im the only one i know