I feel that not being completely open with your partner, whether it's about being transgender or any other major aspect of your life, will in the short or very long run end the marriage. My mistake was keeping it inside and hidden, feeling like I had to, and my 27 year marriage is now ending, the trust on both sides irreparably damaged. I met someone new, and 100% honesty is our motto. I'm in a discovery phase, dressing in private and around my family and support group. My new love is having terrible difficulty accepting me dressing/expressing as a woman, she's simply not attracted to women. I've made it clear, and she agrees, that I have to be myself even if it means losing the intimate part of our relationship. I've never met anyone like her, she's magic and loves me so much, so this is very very difficult. But I'm tired of not being myself, and I haven't come this far to hide myself ever again. I've lived the repercussions of repression, including addiction to alcohol (I'm sober 9 months). I think my advice is to simply be completely honest with yourself and your loved ones. It's hard and I struggle with it every day. I'm hoping that my integrity and peace of mind will help get me through the mess I'm creating to a fulfilling place in the future.