Salutations

[A. Dillon]

My name is (almost; Jan 23 is closing in fast) Andrew Dillon B, and I love cats, indie music, baking, and philosophy. I go to a school with a Pride club, but still can't seem to find any trans people to talk to, which is how I ended up here. I feel like being trans is something really only a trans person can relate to, and I kinda need that in my life right now. I am pre-T and pre-op, but I am also working on it.

[Kyler R.]

Welcome, Andrew. 

[A. Dillon]

Thank you! I just want to let you know that I prefer to go by Dillon, but my parents said that I am not allowed to make that my first name.

(and the name Dillon B had already been taken)

 

Yours Truly, 

Dillon B.

 

[SaraAW]

Welcome Dillon. 

[Jackie C.]

You took my traditional greeting. ? Welcome to the community anyway!

 

We trans people are (estimated) to be about one in two hundred people. A lot of us are also closeted to some degree or another. Even more leave the community once they're done with the surgery and just live as their preferred gender. They don't want to be reminded of the pain of dysphoria... which I kind of get. Dysphoria sucks, but on the other hand I can't see myself turning my back on the next generation either...

 

I'm rambling. I'll stop. Again, welcome to the community! I think you'll like it here.

 

Hugs!

[TommieAnne]

Hello Andrew! Welcome aboard.

I agree with you that trans people have a better intuitive understanding of what others in transition are going through, regardless of how far along they are.

This is a great place, glad you joined in!

[A. Dillon]

Well, since I also wanted to share a bit more about myself:

I am bisexual, with a lesbian twin, which makes things a little interesting. She is very involved in the community, being an administrator of her school's pride club. I kinda got into it because of her, which is kind of how I learned that I was trans. Now I am trying to navigate my transition, both physical and social, with quite a bit of resistance from my parents. My mom yells at me whenever I correct her for saying she/her, calling me her daughter or by my deadname. My dad has just kind of taken a break from talking to me, and he is not taking all of this very well. Any advice? 

 

[TommieAnne]

Time. Give it time.

Although, this comes from a person much older than you who has used up a big chunk of time on this planet already.

Rapid changes always flip parents out. So take it slowly with them and give them time to adjust. It also helps if you can get them to understand that "you" are still "you."

[A. Dillon]

Thank you. I am trying to figure this out myself, and I would love some info from people who have been through this before. You know, something to show that it is going to be ok.

[TrIIIy]

Hi, Dillon. I live with my mom, and she is very resistant to my transition. She doesn’t even like to talk about it. 
But she is getting better about it. She even took me to my appointment to get my first testosterone shot recently, which is huge for her! 
Having parents who support you is such a comfort, but many of us don’t have that. But that can change over time. My family is starting to use my preferred name and pronouns, if only sporadically. I try to take each correctly gendered occasion as a small personal victory. 

Celebrate the little things on your journey. Big things are coming!