My description of the Trans Experience
Being Trans was not a decision to change my sex, it was with me from birth. I first recognized it around 4-5 years old. I didn't know what it was until around 7 years old. It has never left me even once.
You quickly recognize that people do not treat you the same way others people who are just like you are treated. You are excluded from their groups, from simple socialization.
You are bullied because no matter how hard you try, you are not perceived by your peers of either gender as "right" or "normal," you are a freak to them. You just don't behave, act, or react in the manner your gender is supposed to.
Puberty horrifies you. Imagine looking in the mirror, and you start to see an alien looking back at you, with your real self being trapped inside helpless. Over and over again, every day until it gets to the point you no longer want to ever see your reflection again due to the pain it causes you. Where your own voice betrays you every time you speak, where your body no longer represents who you are.
You try to repress it as you are told by society over and over again that good little boys, or girls whichever the case may be do not act or dress in this way. You learn to wear the socially acceptable gender as a mask hiding your real self. You are an actor playing a role in public.
You turn to religion or tasks that define your socially accepted gender, including for biological men the military or dangerous jobs. Many get married, have kids, and try to live a "normal" life. It never works.
Frequently you turn to drugs, alcohol, or even suicide. You want to die, you even pray for death. You neglect this foreign body, often denying yourself even basic medical or dental care. You go out in public as little as possible, after all who would want to see a "freak".
The only thing that cures it is to become who you are inside. To accept who and what you were meant to be. The final step is surgery which lets your soul finally match your body, and at long last you no longer see the alien.
You can finally begin living your life!
Trans people are not mentally ill, we are not freaks. We are fixing a terrible genetic or biological mistake. We don't ask for your approval though that would be nice too; we however rightfully demand your acceptance and tolerance.
