*URGENT* Coming out post

[Guest]

I marked this as urgent because I want to do it today before the courage leaves me.

I finally worked up the courage to come out. I just typed up a message to post to Facebook, but I want you guys to read through it and make sure everything sounds right first. I want to do this right.

"I know I'm going to get some backlash for this, but here goes.

I'm transgender. Simply put, that means that I'm actually a girl inside a boy's body. I've been like this for as long as I can remember, even though I didn't know this was a thing until I was 13. Looking back, I can remember so many things from when I was a kid that backs this up, from wanting to wear Easter dresses like the girls in church, to feeling out-of-place in the boys' locker room when we started wearing uniforms, to making a comic about a world where gender roles were suddenly reversed. I often fantasized about being in that world. And that's only a small number of things I remember.

I am still Christian, though. I don't know if God made me this way or not, but I do know that He's trying to use this for some sort of plan. The suicide rate for transgenders is 31% (and 50% of transgenders attempt it before they're 20), higher than any other group in the world. I want to show other transgender people that they can still be loved, even by Christians, and that they are worth something. I want to reach out to every other transgender person to help them avoid suicide. How I'm going to do that, I'm still not sure, but I'll think of something.

That being said, I have not attempted suicide. I have thought about it many times, though, which is why I want to help others. It's scary being in a place where suicide looks like the only way out. One of the reasons I'm still here is because of my faith in God. It's my belief that He'll make things better in the end that keeps me going.

Some of you already know all of this. Most of you who know have been so supportive of me, and made me feel loved even when I didn't love myself. You made me feel like I was actually allowed to be myself. You're also part of the reason I'm still alive. Thank you.

I'm telling the rest of you because I'm sick of hiding. I'm sick of pretending to be someone I'm not. Some of you might think that sounds hypocritical, but you don't realize just how much I have to focus on not revealing who I really am when I'm around you. Apparently I'm not very good at it, though, because a lot of people think I'm gay when they first meet me.

If you're in denial about this, think back to when I was a kid. Were there any moments when you thought, “He's not like the other boys”? I can remember several.

That's all I have to say for now. Thank you for reading."

How is it?

[Guest Kayla Grace]

My God (not meaning to use his name in vain), you just made me cry ...

God loves you, and he made you like this for a reason.

I think it's great

[Charlize]

Best of luck with this way of coming out. I hope those closest to you already know. This statement is fine for Facebook friends but face to face communication is often the best way with those who love us. Personally i never did a coming out on Facebook. I simply changed my name and picture. There were a few comments but not much of a stir. Think carefully before you push the enter button. There is less of a rush than we feel at the time. I remember wanting to get it over with. I did but slowly person by person.

You know your situation best i only can speak from my experience

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Aka_Kitsune]

I just pushed the send button... There are no comments yet. My heart is pounding harder and faster than it's ever pounded. I'm scared and excited at the same time. I can't believe I finally did this.

[VickySGV]

Kitsune -- I offer the prayer in this post to you for your daily use as I myself use it. For the time being there will be those who have a problem, but in the long run, things will be taken care of. --http://forum.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=50333&hl=

This is what has come to my life in my spiritual world as well. It is what I hope your journey becomes. http://forum.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=53385&hl=

[Guest April63]

It sounds good, Ariana. I actually thought of doing something similar not too long ago, but I didn't.

I do have one comment: "transgender" is not a noun; it's an adjective. It's not proper to say "transgenders".

April

[Guest LesleyAnne]

Congratulations Ariana,

If there are any negative comments over your coming out let them roll off of you, and just focus on the ones that accept who you are

[Charlize]

Let us know how it is working out. I certainly understand the pounding heart. May it all go smoothly.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Mickey]

I do know that God does make us like this. And He does it for a reason. There would be people that _you_ could reach, and talk with about Him and His love for us, that _nobody_ else could reach. I'll post a pic that I've posted before, that shows Trans* people were around in Bible times.

And the suicide rate for Trans* folks is actually 41%.

[Guest Aka_Kitsune]

I do know that God does make us like this. And He does it for a reason. There would be people that _you_ could reach, and talk with about Him and His love for us, that _nobody_ else could reach. I'll post a pic that I've posted before, that shows Trans* people were around in Bible times.

And the suicide rate for Trans* folks is actually 41%.

It's RISEN??? Oh my God! That needs to be brought down, that breaks my heart T^T

I've gotten about 22 comments on it, and all of them have been positive. "We love you" "We're proud of you" and "Don't pay attention to anyone saying anything bad" were the most common ones. I even got those from people I wouldn't expect at all, like my great-grandparents, for example. However, I still haven't gotten any comments from my dad's parents or my dad himself. Those are the people I'm worried about.

[Guest Aka_Kitsune]

UPDATE:

Holy crap... I was not expecting this. My dad actually came downstairs, gave me a hug, and said, "I love you, hear me? I'm proud of you for standing up for your beliefs. I just want you to be happy. And alive. I love you."

Wow. Posting this to Facebook is without a doubt the best thing I have ever done. Ever.

[Charlize]

Great!

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Mickey]

That is such good news! I have tears of joy now. Thank you very much. lol I am so happy for you.

[Guest LesleyAnne]

Awesome!!