I will say this for the other little eggs out there. If someone comes out to you and tells you that they're not the gender that they present to as, don't be afraid of them. They feel safe with you to open up and hatch, support them. They trust you to talk about it. They trust you to listen and accept them. It's not the porn, it's not a social contagion, It's a self-realization. And all we seek is safety and assurance that we're making the right decision for ourselves. #transgender
This isn't just about trans women. This goes for the trans men too. Many of us were suppressed because of where we live. The multiple factors that we grew up around including lack of education and awareness of what being transgender is. For myself it took me 30 plus years to really understand who I am. I know there's some younger folks that had access to information and education about much earlier than I. Had I not masked for as long as I did in society, I wouldn't be here today. #transgender
I really want to see the normalization of gender exploration. At any age. Even if someone decides they're cis, they should feel free to explore feelings about their gender that don't quite fit. Or to see what it feels like to live as a nonbinary or trans person.
(Same for sexuality.)
And yes, if someone shares a truth about themselves--especially if it's something that's not widely accepted--they are being vulnerable and showing their trust. Cherish that.
I wish I'd been as insightful when I was younger as you are.
Oh, man... I didn't figure out I was trans until I was in my mid-40s.
I'd thought about it a few times, starting in college, but it didn't really click. The thing that did it, really, was a haircut and a business trip. I got my hair cut short--and then had to travel for work in the winter... so I was wearing a coat, dress shirt, and chinos. *Every* person I encountered called me sir. And it felt so right.