I don't think that there were any specific incidents which led to me to consider myself as transgender. Rather it was a collection of life experiences, increasing dysphoria and perceived fetish (cross dressing, forced feminisation role playing etc) which caused me to seek professional help.
It was the gender counsellor who picked the label transgender. I tried it on and it fitted. With hrt and further counselling, the complete disappearance of my dysphoria and of my overwhelming desire to cross dress, for the first time in my life I felt that I was no longer acting, that I could self author my life it was then that I felt truly authentic for the first time in my life.
Of course sensing and embracing authenticity brought along a whole lot more in terms of need to understand my physical and spiritual self and the choices available in terms of expression and direction.
What then surprised me was that I realised that I am not binary, I don't have to choose to present or to change my anatomy to be perceived as either male or female and that it is legitimate to view transgender as a permanent descriptor which for me means a life time of transitions and growth, self expression and search for authenticity.
Whether I am transgender because of nature, nurture or a combination of these and other factors ( cf Allan Schore) does not matter to me. I am blessed to be transgender and my life and as a result the journey I choose to take is richer as a result.
Safe travels
Aisla