EnglishBeth
01-03-2016, 02:18 PM
I'm going to see my GP next week for a referral to a gender therapist and take my first step on what I envisage being a long and testing journey.
I have researched a great deal and read many of the posts on this site. Being in the UK, I know that there is a long wait to see a therapist, then a longer one to start any treatment, if it is confirmed what I already know. I am going to start coming out to family and close friends in the coming months and plan to do so at work after I have seen the therapist.
As so many on here have said, I am making no assumptions on the reactions I will receive from those that I will tell, but hope that there will be acceptance by most. I am prepared for the worst, and know that I risk losing my family, although hope that I've raised my kids better than that. My youngest is 15, so they are aware of the wider world and we have always raised them to be open minded and accept the differences in people.
I have four children, two of whom have left home and have their own partners. My wife will struggle with this and I know that I am risking my marriage. I am torn apart with guilt and feel selfish, but I am living a lie right now and don't feel that I can carry on doing so.
Work is different in that I am a highly placed manager in a very large company, knowing most areas of our multiple offices. That being said, I am hoping that my popularity will help me access most areas and not be a freak show, although i am prepared for this. I am also friendly with our head of HR, so plan on speaking with him directly.
Apologies for the rambling, but needed to get this down. Rest assured, this is not a decision I am taking lightly and have wrestled with this for a number of years, but feel that I need to do this now.
I am sure that I will need support and guidance along the way and really hope that I can get some of this from you ladies.
Wish me luck!
Rachel
I have researched a great deal and read many of the posts on this site. Being in the UK, I know that there is a long wait to see a therapist, then a longer one to start any treatment, if it is confirmed what I already know. I am going to start coming out to family and close friends in the coming months and plan to do so at work after I have seen the therapist.
As so many on here have said, I am making no assumptions on the reactions I will receive from those that I will tell, but hope that there will be acceptance by most. I am prepared for the worst, and know that I risk losing my family, although hope that I've raised my kids better than that. My youngest is 15, so they are aware of the wider world and we have always raised them to be open minded and accept the differences in people.
I have four children, two of whom have left home and have their own partners. My wife will struggle with this and I know that I am risking my marriage. I am torn apart with guilt and feel selfish, but I am living a lie right now and don't feel that I can carry on doing so.
Work is different in that I am a highly placed manager in a very large company, knowing most areas of our multiple offices. That being said, I am hoping that my popularity will help me access most areas and not be a freak show, although i am prepared for this. I am also friendly with our head of HR, so plan on speaking with him directly.
Apologies for the rambling, but needed to get this down. Rest assured, this is not a decision I am taking lightly and have wrestled with this for a number of years, but feel that I need to do this now.
I am sure that I will need support and guidance along the way and really hope that I can get some of this from you ladies.
Wish me luck!
Rachel