I saw my mom today, and she told me she watched something on the discovery or history channel, and before she even said what it was about, I got the strongest feeling it was about TS...and sure enough it was.
a little backgound: I've struggled with gender issues my whole life really, but it hit hardest in my early teens. I wasn't able to tell exactly what the problem was, I started reading alot in my mid-teens about transsexuality, but I didn't feel certain it was the issue until I was about 17. I've always been *very* close with my mother, and I've always been really open with her, we talk about everything. neither of us are the type to make/keep a lot of friends, we both think a little different from most people, tend to be misunderstood, and really, I'm the only real friend she's got, the only person that really understands her, and vice versa.
anyway, she's always been a more open-minded and accepting person, and I remember the first time I really came out and told her I think I'm a transsexual. she didn't want to believe it, we had a long conversation, she seemed to try everything to persuade me that I wasn't. but I could tell she was really thinking about it, and that she'd keep it in mind and give it serious consideration.
I knew one day, eventually, she'd come around, and I think that day is today(I'm 20 now). she said she watched this program, and she said it's just been hard for her to accept it, since she gave birth to me, and I was always her little girl...she said it took seeing someone else going through this, for her to really see it. she seemed so deeply sympathetic for TS people but especially the children, like how traumatic puberty must be for us...and was saying if only she'd paid more attention to me growing up, she might have known better. she looked like she was about to cry, but I hugged her and told her it's really not her fault, and I don't blame her for anything, and this is why I'm trying so hard to raise awareness of TS.
this is great, though, I'm so glad she's finally understanding my situation, and TS in general, and how hard it all is for us. and I'm glad someone in my family understands, because I don't think anyone else in my family will ever come to accept it fully, with the exception of my little brother, one of my aunts who is a nurse, and one of my cousins who just happens to be more open-minded about things.
I'm not sure what my father will think. we've never been that close, and we don't talk much, he and my mom divorced when I was six. I haven't even mentioned it to him...and I'm not sure how open-minded he is, though I clearly remember his stance on homosexuality: "as long as they're not doing it in my lawn, I don't care." if that's anything to go by, I doubt he'll be thrilled :\
well, anyway, this is a great day for me :)
