What does it mean to “come out” as transgender?

What does it mean to “come out”? Coming out as transgender may mean that you tell people about your preferred pronouns (if you wish to be referred to as he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.). It may also mean that you ask people to call you by a new name and to think of you by the gender identity that you’re comfortable with.

How did your extended family learn you were transgender?

Most of my extended family learned I was transgender when I wore a dress to my father’s funeral two years ago. A lot of my family members didn’t speak to me because of what I was wearing.

How do I know if someone is friendly to transgender people?

You can often get a sense of how friendly someone is to transgender people by watching how they react when the topic comes up in conversation. Do some research so that you have information about being trans, in case they have questions or don’t know all the facts.

Do I have to come out before I transition?

Some people choose to come out before they medically or socially transition, and some choose to come out after or during the process. You may choose to come out to different people at different times, or to not come out to some people at all. All of this is okay — only you can decide what’s right for you.

Why is gender transition difficult for transgender people?

For many transgender people, recognizing who they are and deciding to start gender transition can take a lot of reflection. Transgender people risk social stigma, discrimination, and harassment when they tell other people who they really are.

What is it like being a trans person?

Trans people are the same as everyone else, our ideals in life are to be happy, to be respected, to be comfortable. I’ve had people who have openly said to me that they’ve had prejudices around trans people but as soon as they’ve met me they’ve understood more – it’s who I am and the way that I was born.