I am a girl, technically speaking. But that is not who I want to be. I've known since I was a little kid that I did not like who I was and I am just now feeling that I need to start taking steps to become who I want to be. My main issue is coming out to my parents. I don't know what to say, or what to do. I'm so worried that they will hate me. I really want to get on HRT so I need to tell them...I just need some help, some advice, anything.

I recently came out to my parents by writing them a letter.  Then again, I don't live with my parents so that may or may not be the best way for you to go about it.  For me, it went much better than I ever expected.  They are accepting and understanding and only want me to be happy.  I've found that the fear of coming out to people is usually way worse than the outcome of actually doing it.   In coming out to many friends, most have just said something like "well, that makes sense".  I haven't had one negative "coming out" yet.  Hope it all works out for you.

I also wrote my parents a letter...but I'm 400 miles away. I expected my parents to have a total outburst...and got the exact opposite. Although I thought my mom would blowup and scream, she's been totaly quiet. My dad (the quiet one) has been trying really hard to keep our relationship up. So, don't think of just one scenerio. Go over everything that could happen until you think your comfortable. It's not about their feelings...it's about yours.

Hi, HellHound. If you have enough confidence about it, you could tell your parents in person. Or if you're shy like me, or just want to articulate everything without any arguments, you could write them a letter. You also have to consider what type of people your family are. But don't underestimate their ability to accept you, over time at least. I live at home and came out to my parents in a letter. They took it surprisingly well. So hang in there.

What i did that worked with my 89 year old stepfather, i wrote a letter of what i was going to say, when the time came i knew i couldn't do it so one night when i was over at his house i asked him to read the letter then we discussed it, he likes to read so i gave him the book True Selves, in a couple weeks when he finished the book we sat down and talked more. You will need to see a therapist for awhile before they will give you the letter to start hrt.
Hope this helped some.

Paula.

When I was in my teens my father found out about my need to be a girl.  Suffice to say it did not go over well at all.  He had me parade around the house in front of him my stepmother, and my stepsisters dressed up in my sisters' clothes.  He asked if I wanted to be dressed that way all the time, and even though in my heart I was screaming yes, I replied in the negative.  I was shamed into hiding at that point and I strove to suppress myself up to this past year.  That was 24 years ago.  Just this past month I finally mustered the courage to tell him that I was tired of living the lie that is my life, and that I am going to transition.  That has been the hardest step for me yet because of my past experience.  However, it went really well.  He accepted it and welcomed me as his daughter instead of his son.  And he even apologized for what happened in the past.

Now, from what I have seen from other people on a general basis, it is a major shock at first.  But after a some time most families will come around.  Just remember it is your feelings that you should worry about.  Don't live your life for what everyone else wants.  You will not be happy.  I personally recommend telling them in person.  It is very difficult to start believe me.  The way I told my family was "there's something I need to tell you.  I don't know how you will handle it, and I apologize for any pain it may cause.  But this is something that I need to do for myself."  And then I told them.

I don't know if this will help you.  I hope it will.  Good luck, and keep your head held high.

Shawna