Do you think others have any sort of responsibility in accepting you being trans

[diane 2606]

My niece is trying , but I know it's hard for her to understand. She in need of someone to be there for her because she has a lot of problems

My son didn't accept me, probably because he was told about me by his other parent in a less than loving way (that's another story), but I made myself available and was there when he needed help (three years later). Today he gets it, and we do fabulously together. My point is, your niece is family. Give her as much support as you can without making her feel guilty for not acknowledging your reality. Eventually she'll get it. And in the unlikely case she doesn't, she's still family.

For the record, I was much harder on non-relatives regarding names and pronouns.

[AbbyKat]

Just curious how others feel about people other than yourself having any sort of responsibility in accepting your need to be yourself in terms of being transgender. Does anyone else other than yourself really have any responsibility outside of treating someone with human respect.

Treating people with "human respect" is enough.  The problem is that this requires respect towards the person.  Denying them their identity is the highest form of disrespect.

So, in essence, disrespecting a transperson over their identity is disrespecting them as a person and as a human.  A person cannot claim to have respect for a person if they don't even acknowledge who they are.

In other words, yes.  It is the responsibility of others to be respectful.  I don't kick open the doors of churches screaming "Your god is fake... but I respect you!" because that would make me a liar and a hypocrite.

[stephaniec]

My son didn't accept me, probably because he was told about me by his other parent in a less than loving way (that's another story), but I made myself available and was there when he needed help. Today he gets it, and we do fabulously together. My point is, your niece is family. Give her as much support as you can without making her feel guilty for not acknowledging your reality. Eventually she'll get it. And in the unlikely case she doesn't, she's still family.

For the record, I was much harder on non-relatives regarding names and pronouns.

I love my niece and would never abandon her. It's just an awkward feeling that I need to overcome knowing that she probably doesn't quite understand but she is trying.

[Meghan]

Yesterday I went to work with little bit of makeup and some light lipstick, and using Anarchy for Her body wash and spray. While help coworkers with computer problems, and she compliment that I smell nice like a lady. She also compliment about my makeup and lips color. At lunch I tell her about my transition, and she just understood and support what I am going through. I think I just met a right person to tell my story.

Luanne

[diane 2606]

she is trying.

What more could you ask?

We're not exactly mainstream. A minority of the population has only the slightest idea what we've gone through because they have no conceptual framework from which to make a comparison. If your niece is trying she's ahead of 98% of the population. Your niece rocks. You can tell her I said so.

[stephaniec]

yes