Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So yesterday was the first time I've come out to a cis friend (only other two people I've told are already ftm and mtf).  He is my best friend since high school, but usually very conservative.  I admitted/talked about my life experiences that have brought me to accept myself as undoubtedly trans (it's been extremely dark times just to get to that internally), the forced sexual experience of adolescence that came about from it, how that made me repress things, just about everything.  It was so hard to get those first words out, but then it flowed. 

I was blown away by his compassion and unconditional love and telling me people would drop out of my life but to hell with them.  When he said he wanted me and my family (well, my daughter anyhow if my wife ends up divorcing me) to really still be a part of his new family and live our lives together even with that news, it changed everything inside of me.  He told me my daughter would learn about loving people who are different, not that I'd be messing her up.  He even let me know some of my neighbors who he knows much better than I from longer friendships would embrace me if that was my choice.  He even asked me to talk to my priest because they are likely to be more accepting than I think (we'll see).   I told him later in the day that he had given me another much needed reason to want to live and he told me there are many people who need you around.  Unconditional love is so hard to find in this world and I'm so happy to have it in our friendship.

He's already my best friend, and one of my only male friends, and the only friend who he and I say 'I love you' to.   This has been the deepest I've ever felt the love of friendship, where someone accepted the person who I thought everyone would reject and hate.  Thank God my first experience didn't go anything like I thought it would.

<3  Mariah

Congratulations on coming out, and congratulations on having such a true friend! 

Old friends are like gold.  Treat them as such and that will shine forever

That's one of the best coming out stories ever.  Congratulations.

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Yikes..priest?

Although Thai Buddhists accept a Third Gender, 85% of white US evangelical Christians voted for Trump and praised his anti-LGBTQ legislation.

The Catholic church has long condemned the LGBTQ community and even Pope Francis sends mixed messages, constantly contradicting himself on trangender issues.

Pope Francis Says Jesus Wouldn't Abandon Transgender People, but also said "gender theory" was a weapon in a "war" on marriage. http://www.advocate.com/religion/2016/10/03/pope-francis-says-jesus-would-not-abandon-transgender-people

Take the positive where you can find it and - wow what an amazing friend.  You are fortunate to have people like that in your life. 

As for bringing this up with your priest, I admit I also did a double-take with that word - but then have to remember it is quite possible for a priest to be accepting of this topic although many are not.  There is only one way to find out and I wouldn't worry.  Just do your best.   

Organized religions of all denominations have changed over time - not at a perfect rate of change, but each of us does our part to nudge the world in a better direction, with or without religion.

I'm so happy for you.  I underestimated the reaction of my family and friends, I've learned people are truly good, and I should trust that. 

Thank you so much for the support and kind responses.  Still haven't talked to the priest, going to take some courage and seeing him every week after, yeah.  TBH, I don't know I can stay catholic after everything moves forward and I guess that's okay, it'll be a big loss in my life, but not being able to be yourself without being
judged is a greater loss. 

I strategically came out to two sets of neighbors I knew would be supportive in the last couple days.  One connected me to a leader in the trans community here who I am having lunch with this week, along with a
organization that helps kids and adults who are trans.  They opened their doors to me if I needed a place to sleep when things that are likely to go down do go down. 

The other neighbor gave me a hug and congratulated me!  It touched my heart so deeply and she asked about reveling in finding out who I really am and more.  She understood exactly what this meant for me and is connecting me to close friends who are a lesbian couple after one of them transitioned a year ago.  I never imagined I would find anyone local that was so supportive. 

I went to therapy with a dress, earrings and necklace this week (hidden until inside), it was wonderful.  I also wore earrings (magnetic) to group therapy, which was great.  Funny when the lady at the store asks you who all these earrings are for and you own it.  She said I'd look smashing in them, which was a better response then I thought.

It is wonderful to have an identity and to have *my* story that I can tell people rather than the role I play currently.  It has been surreal to think I could actually become myself in the future and that I'm really moving forward in something that has been so scary to fathom.

Wow, sounds like you are on a roll, making new contacts and new friends.  Way to go!

Quote from: MoonlitMariah on August 06, 2017, 01:18:30 PM
  Unconditional love is so hard to find in this world and I'm so happy to have it in our friendship.
He's already my best friend, and one of my only male friends, and the only friend who he and I say 'I love you' to.    This has been the deepest I've ever felt the love of friendship, where someone accepted the person who I thought everyone would reject and hate.

<3  Mariah

Miriah,

  I have one such family that sort of adopted me years ago. (I guess that would make me their "oldest" child) It took me longer to say those words "I love You" to them than it did for them to tell me. They have never been easy words for me to utter. Now we hug and say them not only with ease but with meaning..

  Ain't it GREAT!?

Hugs,
   Laurie

I looked like a woman in a burka when I went out the first time to my therapists. Once I got there I took it all off and then about a dozen kids and their mothers showed up. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I really am thankful I broke through that barrier. I will be going to Gender Odyssey in two weeks and it will be my first extended time in public. Three days. Woohoo.