I came out to a friend this weekend. She was a house guest for a while and managed to be an amazing person the whole time! I had such a good weekend just existing as myself for a while that it was almost overwhelming. I was telling my spouse how I felt and that I was so happy, and I haven't felt this happy in so long. I just started crying from the joy.

I saw her in the mirror.

I brought her out to be seen.

I am her.

Thank you for even thinking about these questions! Remember that trans patients are patients, and while some things can be due to medical transition, not everything is. Unless it's specifically transition-related care, most of us are just there for a stomach bug, or a headache, or the same procedures everyone else is getting. Ask our pronouns, ask our preferred names, make us feel like all of your other patients. This goes such a long way to making it a good experience. When it does come down to gender expression or transition-related things, ask about preferences and goals. Not everyone is binary. Even the binary among us have different options and plans. And sometimes, we can change our minds about things! Don't stop being an inquisitive person. Learning gives you options and understanding and empathy, and those are the best tools you can have as a caregiver. Thank you for doing what you do!

I'm super happy for you! Get some rest and I wish you a speedy recovery!

I wear them partly because they help me express the (locally, socially constructed) femininity that I feel. I also wear them partly because I have serious trouble tucking, and a flowy skirt is less of a problem than tights. Which is a shame, because my legs look fine in tights.

mrrp

After viewing and funeral shenanigans of having to be dead named and referred to as "son in law" and "husband" all weekend, I would welcome this. I think I may just visit the specialty ice cream shop and suggest it for dinner to my spouse instead of normal food.

This definitely happened to me a LOT when I was growing up. Oddly enough, right around the time of puberty. Which, now that I think about, explains a lot. Mine was usually right after dreams about being small. I ended up over 6 feet tall by middle school, so that's either an expression of dysphoria, body dysmorphia, or both. I'm going with both.

I just want to say thank you for making this post. It felt pretty good to get my own feelings out in the open and validated by someone. Although painful, it's also good to hear from others with similar experiences. None of us has to deal with this alone!

Whirlwind of a week! Spent it with my in-laws. We ran a race this weekend, and I wore my pride socks in public for the first time. The person in front of me at the starting line was wearing a progress pride flag as a cape, and I said "thank you". My sister-in-law clued in and was asking my spouse what was going on while they ran, so after I set a new PR I came out to her. "Ok, as long as you're happy" was almost immediately followed by the gobsmacked " omg, you must be really upset with things right now". So I guess that's a win. It was nice being in a public place where I didn't constantly hear hateful gibberish and saw people openly being themselves (including employees; those butterfly earrings were gorgeous!) so a good trip in all. My spouse's parents still don't know, though. One week at a time!

On another note, nobody told me voice training was going to be this bad. Yes, I followed the guides and the videos. I also see a professional. The LPR damage is making it very difficult, though!

You and Telorand both suggesting silicone sent me looking. It might be worth grabbing a "his and hers" set so I also have something to wear for now in boymode. I still haven't told anyone but my spouse that I know in person so I need to stay under the radar while the hormones do their thing. This might not be a terrible idea. Thanks!

If it helps you at all, I thought the same thing. I'm in my early 40's, scared to death of what might happen in this political climate, and went through some very rough times in the last few years. I finally said enough last month and told my spouse. They're helping me find clothing and picking out nail polish and going with me to my clinic appointments. Find the right people to support you and you can do anything. You can even be yourself, and it's never too late.

Thank you immensely for doing what you do, and for persevering through the difficult parts while doing it. You're exactly the kind of hero we need more of. I'm sorry there are still so many terrible people.