For everybody along this path, there will be times when they need to be supported, and there are times they will need to be challenged.
If you assume that a 'hit of reality' is what everybody needs, then maybe you should read about the importance of having dreams and fantasies too.
We shouldn't be the ones to dish out reality because our realities are always going to be biased.
We can certainly tell others our stories, but to assume it to be 'reality' is nothing short of arrogance and ignorance.
I've heard both horrendous and wonderful stories of transitioning, some were full of hardships while others were smooth sailing. Somehow, the former is emphasized but the latter ignored.
It is the "don't transition unless you are faced with suicide or have absolutely no choice" mentality which generates so much negative views.
And the "you don't know what you're talking about unless you've gone through what I've gone through" mentality that creates the divide.
Also, people who holds these mentalities are often the most vocal group as well.
I agree that we all need to be supported and challenged at different times, but we should leave our stories, biases and agendas out of the picture as much as possible and focus on the person asking for help. We might still get things wrong sometimes but at least our conscience will be clear.
The very concept of sex and gender and transitioning means differently to different people. To heed only the advice of those "who are out" is to lose sight of the vast majority of others who have faced other unique challenges in their lives who has equally precious pearls of wisdom to share. Why discredit others "who are not out"?
Love,
S
