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View Full Version : I held this coming out letter for two years



JaytoJillian
12-02-2018, 10:57 PM
I finally came clean and told one of my closest besties. The response was so all-in supportive that I was moved to tears of relief and joy. My world just got a whole lot less lonely.

Here's my letter with names omitted for privacy:

"... you're one of my most trusted and respected friends. I have always admired and appreciated your open-mindedness and your sense of humor. However, If I had to name the quality in you which I value most, it would have to be your honesty--It has always been "straight, no chaser."

It is in fact, honesty that brings me to the crux of this letter. For more than 40 years, I have wrestled with issues of gender (and to a lesser extent, sexuality) that have resulted in me living a life that has been less than fully authentic.

It was after many years of confusion, fear and shame that I had some sort of epiphany. That was circa 2006. Without much fanfare, I quietly came to the conclusion that the very strong feminine identity that I'd had for as long as I could recall was definitely not going away. Years of contact sports, military training, serial dating and eventually marrying had not "flipped the switch" and at a point 12 years ago I came to the conclusion that I was trans. Just so you know I'm not making this up, three therapists--two women and one guy--back me up on my deduction.

I can only imagine what you must be thinking as you read this, and I hope my imagination is dead wrong. You can rest assured that I am still the person who likes working on cars, getting their hands dirty, talking shit, etc. I just really like wearing makeup too, LoL. Okay, maybe this isn't the best juncture to inject humor, but of all my friends who I considered most capable of handling the truth, I kept coming back to you.

The last thing I wanted to do with this was to drag you into the closet with me, but I will ask that you not discuss what I've shared with anyone--especially our mutual acquaintances, as I am still working out how to fully live and walk in truth and freedom.

Based on rules I learned from you to apply to my communications, I think I am 4/4:

*Truth--Every word is the God's honest.
*Kind---Yes because I trust you with this.
*Necessary--Yes, because you should have the opportunity to know the real me.
*Timing--------I am definitely not getting any younger.

If you dare, I've included pix."

Jay

Alice Torn
12-02-2018, 11:13 PM
Well written. That took courage and truth. I am only out to several people, and they do not really like it.

Macey
12-03-2018, 03:04 AM
So glad you got a positive response :) so how did your friend respond?

JaytoJillian
12-03-2018, 03:23 AM
Well, he wrote back right away and said that he was proud that I chose to trust him with such a significant piece of information. He stated that he of course has many questions, but assured me that they are primarily motivated by his desire to be as supportive as possible to me. We indeed have had several question-filled exchanges via email, text and phone since I dropped the news on him. He has expressed genuine interest by actually researching the use of estrogen. He said he was relieved to find out that the risks were minimal, LoL. Soooooo liberating to be able to have such conversations with someone other than a paid professional!

Macey
12-03-2018, 03:35 AM
Jillian, that is fantastic. Naturally, we can never predict how someone will react, but I think we sometimes don't give our close circle enough credit.

Beverley Sims
12-03-2018, 05:15 AM
Sometimes it takes a long time to pluck up the courage needed.

I think it was worth the wait.

Maria_mtf
12-03-2018, 06:43 AM
Amazing news thanks for sharing

alwayshave
12-03-2018, 06:57 AM
Jillian, what a great letter. I'm glad that you had a positive outcome from it.

kimdl93
12-03-2018, 07:17 AM
That’s a very thoughtful letter, Jillian. I’m glad it was well received and your friendship preserved.

Kelli_cd
12-03-2018, 07:23 AM
You're fortunate to have such a good friend.

JulieB
12-20-2018, 12:22 PM
One fantastic letter, with what seems to be positive results, with a true friend!!

Alice B
12-20-2018, 01:42 PM
That is a great and very honest letter. It took guts to giver it to your friend. I have always thought of you as one of the most beautiful woman on this site, which is something to be proud of. How did he take it?

JaytoJillian
12-20-2018, 02:23 PM
He was and has remained totally supportive, encouraging and most of all my friend. He said that he was proud that I chose him as a confidant. It does indeed get better! And real friends don't leave you over something like this.

abbiedrake
12-20-2018, 10:28 PM
So happy for you, Jillian.
I lost my RL friends when I divorced the practice wife. Perhaps that should read 'friends'. 😬
May we all find those close to us as golden as you have.

Tracii G
12-20-2018, 10:32 PM
Really happy for you Jiiian.
Seems to have been a very positive outcome which is a great thing.
I lost more friends than I kept but I have made more friends to make up for the loss.

Rhonda Jean
12-20-2018, 10:53 PM
Great letter. You picked the right person to send it to, too. Congratulations!

TiffanyTgirl
12-21-2018, 01:19 PM
Good for you. I know it is hard. I also know i don't have friends that are open minded enough to accept it
You are now showing the beautiful woman you have always been. Best wishes to you

Kandi Robbins
12-21-2018, 05:56 PM
No words......okay a few, honest, ballsy (pardon the word), and 100% completely admirable. God bless you Jillian!

JaytoJillian
12-22-2018, 05:43 PM
No words......okay a few, honest, ballsy (pardon the word), and 100% completely admirable. God bless you Jillian!

LoL, no need for a pardon--I still have them, after all!