Out to my family, finally!

[Dianne S]

I finally came out as TS to my last two close family members... my youngest and oldest daughter. Both were supportive and loving... I feel so lucky.

So far, I've come out to my wife, kids, mother, sisters and my best friend from high school. The trickiest was my friend... he's the only male of the bunch and he still can't really wrap his head around it. But overall, it has been a wonderful and liberating experience.

[jeri1973]

That is great. I'm sure a burden is lifted from you because I'm carrying it now. My wife is very aware of me and a friend from high school knows.
I'm playing out in my mind how to tell my mom and sisters. I've written mom a long detailed letter but haven't had the nerve to give it took her. I really want to tell her in person so she can see my emotions and how happy I am when I'm honest with myself.

Enjoy the lifted burden and keep moving forward.

Jeri

[Rachel Smith]

Diane I came out to my family in I believe Oct. of 2103 but they actually met ME for the first time at Easter. I can share both your angst and joy.

Hugs
Rachel

[Christina Sevilla]

i'm so happy for you! :)

[Barbara Ella]

Dianne, enjoy your experience, you deserve it. It takes courage to comeout as you have. I am out to my wife, but will likely never be out to family or friends. keep your confidence working.

Barbara

[I Am Paula]

I found that thinking about coming out to my family was way harder than actually doing it. It took me months of agonizing about it, and then when the moment came it was almost anticlimax.
My sister laid the groundwork, by telling my parents that I live as a woman now, was named Paula, and was coming to visit. Then we met at Starbucks, so we could walk in to my parent's house together. My parents met me at the door. No long looks, just a quick up and down, we hugged and made the usual greetings. That was about it...I was prepared for some sort of scene, discussion, something.
Later, over coffee at the kitchen table, my Dad had a few questions, and ended the conversation with, 'I can't say I understand what's going on, but I know you're smart enough to make the right choices.' Parent's love IS unconditional.

[Dianne S]

I found that thinking about coming out to my family was way harder than actually doing it.

Absolutely. I agonized for months, but in the end it was even a bit anti-climactic. There have even been humourous moments. I was replacing my mother's ceiling fan and she said "Will you still be able to do things like this when you're a girl?" :) She also told me that when she was pregnant with me (I have two older sisters) she saw a movie called "Third Girl" and said to herself "Oh, no! I want a boy!"

As far as presentation, I've only just started hair removal and hope to start T-blocker by the end of May. I'm still quite a way off from presenting female 24x7, so for now no-one else needs to know.

[Nigella]

Not sure if all my siblings know, but certainly two of them do, a third I have seen around town and he avoids me like the plague. Mum passed away before I knew where I was in life but I doubt she would have understood. She would have been accepting to my face, but behind my back would have pulled me to pieces.

The one thing I bear in mind, my transition was for ME, if anyone cannot accept it, well its too late and I honestly don't care.

[PretzelGirl]

I think it is important to get the family on-line early unless there are other issues going on. It is one thing to ask a friend to accept it and you transition soon after, but for a family member, I want them to have the time to ask questions and get knowledgeable so they really are understanding and comfortable with the new me.

I am at the beginning and have told two siblings out of three with great acceptance already. My Mom is on hold for a little bit as I am about to see her at a family wedding and I don't want one minute to be about me. I broke ground with the in-laws by telling a niece and nephew. That leaves a niece, a nephew and his wife, and the brother-in-law and his wife. They should be told like a house of cards falling. The biggest thing I am telling them about the timing is that it gives the parents time to start educating and socializing it with their kids. If they have that time, then they can be more comfortable as parents.