Trans
General trans community.
Rules:
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Follow all blahaj.zone rules
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All posts must be trans-related. Other queer-related posts go to c/lgbtq.
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Don't post negative, depressing news articles about trans issues unless there is a call to action or a way to help.
Resources:
Best resource: https://github.com/cvyl/awesome-transgender Site with links to resources for just about anything.
Trevor Project: crisis mental health services for LGBTQ people, lots of helpful information and resources: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The Gender Dysphoria Bible: useful info on various aspects of gender dysphoria: https://genderdysphoria.fyi/en
StainedGlassWoman: Various useful essays on trans topics: https://stainedglasswoman.substack.com/
Trans resources: https://trans-resources.info/
[USA] Resources for trans people in the South: https://southernequality.org/resources/transinthesouth/#provider-map
[USA] Report discrimination: https://action.aclu.org/legal-intake/report-lgbtqhiv-discrimination
[USA] Keep track on trans legislation and news: https://www.erininthemorning.com/
[GERMANY] Bundesverband Trans: Find medical trans resources: https://www.bundesverband-trans.de/publikationen/leitfaden-fuer-behandlungssuchende/
[GERMANY] Trans DB: Insurance information (may be outdated): https://transdb.de/
[GERMANY] Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität: They have contact information for their advice centers and some general information for trans and intersex people. They also do activism: dgti.org
*this is a work in progress, and these resources are courtesy of users like you! if you have a resource that helped you out in your trans journey, comment below in the pinned post and I'll add here to pass it on
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From the outside, being cis, I can only report what worked for people that I know.
Two things seem to be consistent among the trans, and gay/queer people I've known that came out over the years.
The first is that it gets easier every time you do it, the second is that memory and imagination can help that along.
It doesn't seem to matter whether someone comes out via writing, or in person, or over the phone/camera. Having done it before with safety and good results helps a person have something to focus their mind on to give them confidence that, no matter how it actually turns out, they're loved, respected, and valued by the people in their lives.
It can help to have an "outing" buddy ready. Not necessarily to be right there with you, if that's not appropriate, but someone that is present and ready with support and love, even if it goes perfectly. If you have even an ally available, rather than a friend or partner, it can be a big help to know there's someone out in the car ready to whisk you away, or whatever you arrange for. Again, that is useful no matter how good things go. You have a way to ensure that you can take a break when needed. Coming out can be very emotionally taxing when it's fully supported and loving in response. It can be overwhelming enough that you might want to go home and relax sooner rather than later.
The process of setting things up with a friend/ally/partner also helps you ready your heart and mind to show the true you with less fear. This actually works for a lot of things tbh, not just coming out. Practice what you want to say, if it's going to be verbal. If you're writing, it's great to have more than one pair of eyes on it, if you aren't sure about how to phrase things.
If you don't have an ally locally, reach out online. There's plenty of people under the rainbow that will try to help, even if it's just being on the other end of a phone. There's plenty of folks that will support you even though they aren't in the same situation because they, we, want you to be safe and happy, and able to be yourself in every way. Everyone deserves that, and I can almost guarantee someone would be your phone buddy with a little planning. Shit, I would, if it came to that, assuming some scheduling discussion ahead of time.
And, hey, do it in your own time and way. There's practical considerations, of course, but it's okay to move toward it slowly, or quickly, as needed. When you're ready, you're ready.
Thanks <3
I get some mixed signals from my parents, but I think they're generally supportive. My mother has misgendered some trans celebrities on occasion, but this may just be down to change being tough.
I'm looking to shop for some clothes, and I might ask a cis woman I know for tips, who I also know is supportive of her other trans friends. I've discussed queerness before and helped her realize she was bi when talking through it. Kinda make it a two-in-one, coming out and getting clothes I actually like. She's also been quite supportive of my gender non-conformity before, so I think she could be a good ally :)