Came out for the first time to my best friend

[Alexandra T]

Until today, the only people I have come out to as being transgender have been my GP, psychologist and the lovely staff at the Gender Dysphoria Clinic. I hadn't really planned to come out to anyone this early, but I was having a heart-to-heart with my best friend in the middle of our shifts today, and well... one thing after another, and I told her I was transgender. I thought she would be rather shocked, but she surprised me by being very supportive and understanding.  Actually, what she first said was, "Oh, like Caitlyn Jenner."

It was still pretty early into our shifts, so I asked if this made her uncomfortable working with me. She had no problems with it, and in fact, kept asking me question after question, which was a delight. She asked when I was planning to transition, if I'd started on hormones, if I'd chosen a new name and so on. Of course, I asked her to keep it a secret between us for the time being, which she has no problems with either.

I'm still going to take small steps, but I'm just so happy that today went so well. When the time comes to start telling others, I hope they are just as warm and supportive.

[Ms Grace]

That's cool. Congrats. I'm sure you can trust her but you should probably ask her to keep it between the two of you - speaking from experience, that sort of info travels like wildfire. Once one person in your social/family/work life knows about it then it can become common knowledge surprisingly quickly. Someone you tell might inadvertently let it slip when other less understanding ears are about.

[Sadephanie]

I hope that my best friend will support me like that. It's probably one of my biggest fears that she won't be friends PR won't consider me her best friend anymore after she knows.

[Alexandra T]

That's cool. Congrats. I'm sure you can trust her but you should probably ask her to keep it between the two of you - speaking from experience, that sort of info travels like wildfire. Once one person in your social/family/work life knows about it then it can become common knowledge surprisingly quickly. Someone you tell might inadvertently let it slip when other less understanding ears are about.

Thank you. Yes, I've already asked her to keep it under wraps until I'm ready to tell others. We've been friends for a number of years, and I trust in her that she won't be telling anyone. But I absolutely understand where you are coming from, and take your advice on board. We're not going to be talking about it at work, just in case someone overhears or there is an inadvertent slip of the tongue. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hope that my best friend will support me like that. It's probably one of my biggest fears that she won't be friends PR won't consider me her best friend anymore after she knows.

I hope so too, Sade. I was just as apprehensive as you were feeling before I told her... I still am, for the dozens of others I will need to tell eventually, but if this morning was anything to go by, then people can still surprise you.

[Sadephanie]

I hope so too, Sade. I was just as apprehensive as you were feeling before I told her... I still am, for the dozens of others I will need to tell eventually, but if this morning was anything to go by, then people can still surprise you.

I'm just terrified that she won't and then I'll have no friends anymore..