study abroad!

[luke_b]

So as an attempt to stay away from home, and the constant misgendering that comes along with that, I applied to go away on a study abroad program. My mom insisted that I go to Israel, and since she's paying for it, thats what I went with. It's a jewish program, because my family is jewish, and because my mom wants me to come back home an obedient jewish girl, completely disregarding the fact that I want to go on exchange to begin with to escape exactly what she wants me to be.

My mom, of course, signed me up as a girl and tried to make it so that I couldn't have my name and pronouns used during my stay, but the guy in charge has let me use Luke and he/him pronouns. So all of my teachers and counselors use Luke and he/him pronouns, nobody know my birthname, and everyone of the students seems to be fine with me being myself. I'm currently on the program right now, and ill be away for four months! I get back home in June after school ends. 

I also met three friends (also queer, we just seem to be drawn to each other), and I met this really cute dude (who made it pretty obvious to me that he is gay, lowkey flirting), and I might try my chances with him. All is well, and my anxiety has been the lowest it has ever been in my life (I was diagnosed at 8 and I turn 17 in May), and me and my therapist are deadset on the fact that she is the biggest stressor in my life, so being away from her has been very good for me.

[ShawnaLeigh]

Wow like sounds like you found a great opportunity to study abroad and already have some great friends.  Even a potential love interest.  This is fantastic considering how you had to deal with the negatives back home.  
Congrats and enjoy your!❤️??

[TommieAnne]

Sounds like you have a wonderful opportunity to just be yourself!

That's great to hear.

TA