i came out as trans while at school this semester and i'm a combination of anxious and relieved about it however i'm going home over the winter and i'm concerned about how to act what to do. i took a different name while here and i like who i am for the first time in.. well ever and i don't know how to deal with going back to my family and old friends. i have one close friend who i have been talking about this with for the better part of a year but thats it and everyone else in my life will be shell shocked, not accept it or just plain ostracize me. any thoughts or advice. my family is very traditional roman catholic and i live in a small suburban town (i graduated with a little or 100 ppl).

There's only one way for them to find out; you gotta tell them.  That is of course being under the impression you want them to know.  Avoid arguments, answer any questions they may have and most of all, speak with confidence.  If you intend on convincing your family this is who you are and what you need to do for true self-happiness, it needs to be told with the utmost confidence and assurance.  Any doubt they sense in you may alter their view on the subject.  And while that doesn't make it any less true, obviously you want their support.  Best of luck!