Here I am…

[Sunbeam]

Hi! I go by Hope although that is not my birth name. 
 

I have come to accept that I am non binary. It’s been a tough road. I’ve been questioning my gender for many years as ‘she’ just never quite seemed to fit, but I was uneducated and thought ‘trans’ just applied to MtF/FtM binary trans people. I knew I didn’t want to transition to male but female wasn’t ‘me’ either but I never knew an in between existed or was acceptable. I started meeting people who identified as non binary a few years ago, and it made me question myself even more, a whole new world was opened up to me. Then, around 2 years ago, my best friend came out as trans and began living life as a woman, it was so inspiring to me, for her to accept herself for who she truly is.

 

So here I am, outing myself FINALLY. I don’t have the courage yet to tell my friends and family because I know they will reject my newly found identity and that’s going to hurt. 
 

Thank you for reading. 
 

 

[Charlize]

Welcome Hope.  There are many here who identify as non binary.  While i consider myself a trans woman and present female to the world there are certainly aspects of my life andantinos that are traditionally considered male.

 

I'm glad you have joined us

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Vidanjali]

@Sunbeam  hi Hope, nice to meet you. I am also nonbinary & discovering and exploring that about myself has been like a whole new world, like you said. I've been out for a couple years now and so much has changed for the better, no matter what has come, because I am being true to myself. At first it was absolutely terrifying to come out to others; each time it seemed like a big ordeal. It was a big deal coming out to my husband, although he was not at all surprised. It's taken a lot of difficult processing on his part and a lot of patience, perseverance & self-acceptance on my part, but we've fallen into new rhythms. It's all for the best because relationships cannot be totally genuine if you don't feel free to be yourself, or don't trust the other person to honor your truth. There are people in my life I'll probably never come out to, and I can live with that. As I've practiced telling others about myself, to be honest I've found some friendships less satisfying and others more fulfilling. But, change in life is inevitable whether or not you're trans. I cannot stand the tension in situations where I'm worried what others will think of me, so I choose to be honest or remove myself from such situations. People will surprise you how they react in a variety of ways. But, the more you challenge the fear of coming out, the easier it becomes, and you start to really own it. As Karamo Brown puts it, it's more about letting in than coming out because by doing so you allow others to enjoy the gift that is you as a genuine and more whole person - it's not about their acceptance, it's about yours. 

[Robin]

Hi Hope,

 

Welcome to the forum.  

 

Robin.

[Sunbeam]

Thank you for your kind words everyone, it’s greatly appreciated!

[Ivy]

Welcome Hope

[Ashley0616]

Hi Hope you are in the right place. There are a lot of non binary people here. I recently came out in April this year so I'm still new to things myself. Take care!

[April Marie]

Welcome to the forums, Hope!! You'll find many of us here who are very early in our road of discovery. TPF is filled with helpful and supportive threads and, best of all, people. Dive in and participate where you feel comfortable. 

[Heather Shay]

Welocme - I see you've already met some of the nicest, caring people on the planet. Again glad you are here.