Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Reese on July 05, 2013, 02:47:36 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Coming out to Extended Family?
Post by: Reese on July 05, 2013, 02:47:36 PM
Post by: Reese on July 05, 2013, 02:47:36 PM
I have a really huge family, as my grandma was one of ten children, and many of her brothers and sisters had several kids, and they all had many kids.... it's a never ending family.
I know most people are concerned first about coming out to parents and immediate family, which makes sense. However I don't want to show up to a family gathering looking completely different, that is when I start hormones.
Should I just expect my mom to tell everyone? I mean, I'm having my graduation party in two weeks if I should tell everyone then... but my parents hardly even know. And my therapist wants me to wait 3 years to even consider hormones :/ (I'm finding a new therapist though, haha, I literally will not live for 3 more years like this. it's hard enough as it is right now.)
Does anyone have experience with this? I couldn't find a thread about coming out to extended family, and I didn't want to dig too deep and bump a thread from years ago.
I know most people are concerned first about coming out to parents and immediate family, which makes sense. However I don't want to show up to a family gathering looking completely different, that is when I start hormones.
Should I just expect my mom to tell everyone? I mean, I'm having my graduation party in two weeks if I should tell everyone then... but my parents hardly even know. And my therapist wants me to wait 3 years to even consider hormones :/ (I'm finding a new therapist though, haha, I literally will not live for 3 more years like this. it's hard enough as it is right now.)
Does anyone have experience with this? I couldn't find a thread about coming out to extended family, and I didn't want to dig too deep and bump a thread from years ago.
Title: Re: Coming out to Extended Family?
Post by: suzifrommd on July 05, 2013, 03:04:33 PM
Post by: suzifrommd on July 05, 2013, 03:04:33 PM
For the cousins of my generation, I sent email specifically coming out to them. I counted on them to tell their children and parents.
Title: Re: Coming out to Extended Family?
Post by: Constance on July 05, 2013, 09:40:18 PM
Post by: Constance on July 05, 2013, 09:40:18 PM
For extended family, I came out via Christmas cards. I went full time in September 2011 and that winter went to one of those photo studios in the mall and had cards made. Each card was accompanied by a personal letter I'd typed up to the relatives in question describing what was going on.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1088.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi329%2Fcam94080%2F2011-11-20.jpg&hash=9a4837620027a4fce8872843165bd3a500bb0023)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1088.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi329%2Fcam94080%2F2011-11-20.jpg&hash=9a4837620027a4fce8872843165bd3a500bb0023)
Title: Re: Coming out to Extended Family?
Post by: Devlyn on July 05, 2013, 10:53:32 PM
Post by: Devlyn on July 05, 2013, 10:53:32 PM
Reese, at the bottom left of the Wike front page are some sample letters. Clicking on the "and more" link brings you to the whole Family and Friends section. https://www.susans.org/wiki/Main_Page (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Main_Page)
Constance, love that idea!
Constance, love that idea!