Wow, the last few months have been incredible. I finally started hormones last November and started working on a plan to transition over Christmas. I made the decision I would wait until July 1 before my public reveal, for lack of a better word.
Well that didn't work! One of my New Year resolutions was to be honest when asked about transitioning and within hours of posting my resolutions I was asked what I meant when I said "Make the change on July 1". I answered honestly and there were no issues.
In February I talked to my board of directors and told them my plan and then I talked to my priest. Again no major negativity, though it caught people by surprise. I Was also appointed to my city's Human Rights Commission (though only one of the members of the city council new my truth).
End of February, in a moment of weakness (or strength) I went completely public with my transition on Facebook. Feedback was overwhelming positive and filled with love. It was incredible. My work wasn't happy about it (not becuase of my transition or coming out but becuase they had not had time to process everything) but after their concerns were eased that went smoothly. Being a small town, it was a mini big deal. I did a television interview which was huge for me. There were significant negative comments online about the interview but I decided I wouldn't read it and I still haven't.
Now I am just waiting on my name change and for enough time to pass for surgeries.
Where I live, I truly expected to be run out of town with pitch forks and torches. Instead I have been met with love and acceptance and it is an incredible feeling.