Hello there. My first post so here goes. Iv'e been finding out about transgender issues on the internet. I'm (almost) 50 and born a male (unfortunately). I often check out the transgender timelines on ->-bleeped-<-, as I find it inspirational and also shows people in a more 'everyday' light, rather than what get onto the front page news websites. Anyway, has anyone any thoughts on why there seems to be a high number of young Americans sharing their experiences on ->-bleeped-<-. I guess that it has to do with younger people being more inclined to use and promote themselves through social media, but what about the (apparent and relative ease) at which they navigate their transitions? I envy them their strength and confidence. I only wish that I had had their opportunities earlier in life

Welcome Kit,

I have been on ->-bleeped-<-, other trans websites and this is my fav.  I am an older tansitioner and am delighted and amazed at the numbers of young transitioners who are sharing their experience on social media and IRL.  I have met people IRL recently who are pre-teen social transitioners.  What a brave new world eh?  I know plenty of us older trans people lived thru eras when there seemed to be little to no reliable medical information or counseling resources available.  If we had access to resources when we were young it may have been a different story for us??  But we can only work on today!

Now we have so many more role models, mentors and resources to inform and assist the young and old alike.  My kids and grandkids are completely tech savvy and even some of my contemporaries find it fun to use their gadgets that can access more knowledge than was once in a university library.

I think american culture is changing dramatically and it needs to.  Federal and State law, institutional policies and inclusive leadership attitudes now celebrate diversity from grade school to the mega corporations who recognize it is smart to hire people living in the rainbow.  I think it is simply the best time ever to come out and transition.

We must also acknowledge the wonderful parents, families and schools who are often so supportive and informed about assisting young transitioners.  I am impressed by their love and compassion.  I wish all of us had that circle of support.

You will find there are plenty of threads about those "wishes" we so commonly share here.

Well its simply different times now...
sentiment is different imo, and information is much better to come by...
if you think back some attitudes are not acceptable for quite a few people now...
its like watching old movies, the roles for example for women have changed a great deal meanwhile imo...

so I'd say be glad, don't be sad, look forwards and make the best of what is now...


many *hugs*

Hi Kit. Welcome to Susan's. 

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I'm inclined to agree with Laura. There are a lot of media examples of transitions, so transgender youth don't feel as isolated.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, Its true that the young are setting a great example, and attitudes have changed. Can anyone give me some more mature examples of people who have transitioned later in life? So far I'm not finding so many older role models. I think Lana Wachowski would probably be the person who comes to mind first. I guess that I'm really trying to find out how 'successful' I could be (I know its relative but you know what I mean).

The Internet is mainly the reason why young Americans are transitioning. Transgender wasn't a known thing back then. It was still considered very foreign and weird. Any person who might have been transgender didn't know it themselves, and probably identified with other, more known labels like drag queens, gay or lesbian. Because of the Internet, the concept of transsexuality became more known and people started realizing they identified with the label more.

Additionally, as some have said, times are different now and society as a whole has become more accepting of trans people. This has given many young Americans the courage to transition, whereas young Americans in the past were more afraid to do so.

The mass availability of transition-related medical help today compared to the past. It was harder back then to find doctors and surgeons who were willing to prescribe HRT or do surgical work for trans people.

Last but not least, the slow breakdown of gender inequality, as well as the disintegration of gender roles and expectations, has given people the freedom to break gender norms. In the past, gender roles were very ingrained in society, and anyone who broke such roles were often shunned.

Quote from: Kit66 on November 10, 2015, 01:55:30 PM
Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, Its true that the young are setting a great example, and attitudes have changed. Can anyone give me some more mature examples of people who have transitioned later in life? So far I'm not finding so many older role models. I think Lana Wachowski would probably be the person who comes to mind first. I guess that I'm really trying to find out how 'successful' I could be (I know its relative but you know what I mean).

You are fairly new here. I think you will find much of the inspiration you are looking for is in this community. Much of susans, in my opinion, consists of older transitioners. ->-bleeped-<- hosts younger transitioners.

Visibility and awareness.  If there was more visibility and awareness to gender identity incongruity in our youth, we would have seen a multitude more transitioning young people.

Welcome to Susan's!

Quote from: Kit66 on November 10, 2015, 01:55:30 PM
Can anyone give me some more mature examples of people who have transitioned later in life?

Jennifer Finney Boylan
Christine McGinn
Lynn Conway

Quote from: Kit66 on November 10, 2015, 01:55:30 PM
Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, Its true that the young are setting a great example, and attitudes have changed. Can anyone give me some more mature examples of people who have transitioned later in life? So far I'm not finding so many older role models. I think Lana Wachowski would probably be the person who comes to mind first. I guess that I'm really trying to find out how 'successful' I could be (I know its relative but you know what I mean).

Society is more accepting now.  Where i live it would have been a death sentence to transition directly out of high school. I graduated in 1998 and i wish that i was born in the 90's, because right now life would be great! 

Remember all the androgynous bands?  Non-binaries were just being accepted and the world was not ready for the Trans community and still is not.

I am proud to say that i grew up in the 90's. We did a lot!

It really helps that some insurance plans cover transgender care.  I am fortunate because my employee benefits state that transgender coverage is available with no lifetime limit.

Welcome to Susan's Place. This story starts out with "well when I was a kid" no really. I figured it out at age 13. That same year John Hopkins opened up the first treatment center in the United States. I wasn't old enough for treatment a you had to be 18 or maybe 21 because somewhere around there they dropped the age of consent. My hone town of Phoenix for many years didn't offer treatment and it took me until I was 30 before everything was in place for me to have surgery. I am back in Phoenix and everything except for the voice surgery is within 40 miles of where I live. I hear that soon even the voice surgery will be available here.

Everything is available almost around the corner and information is everywhere. I had to depend on newspapers and a few books I found in the ASU library. Even as short as 15 years ago many of these resources were harder to find. I think in the future an older person transitioning will become rare because most would have transitioned at an early age.