I’m seventeen. For years, I’ve been struggling to understand why I don’t feel comfortable in my own body. Only recently have I come to accept that it may be because I’m transgender.
I’m still not sure though. So, I’ve decided I want to live as a boy for a year to be certain. Then, if it feels right, I can proceed from there. I definitely don’t want to do anything drastic like take hormones until I’m confident this is the right choice for me.
Now, I just have to figure out how to tell my parents that this is what I plan to do. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. My parents are super-supportive of LBGTQIA people, so I don’t think they’ll react negatively. Nevertheless, I’m still nervous as heck! Please wish me luck.
HERE’S WHAT TO DO FIRST
- First the TeenCentral Community welcomes you and your bravery in pursuing how you feel about your gender identity!
- It sounds like you have a wonderful support at home knowing that your parents are supportive of the LBGTQIA community! That’s wonderful. You might need more support from really knowledgeable people to help you through many aspects of this journey, not just this step of telling your parents. And if you do, please consider contacting the following hotline:Trans Lifeline
Available 24/7
Hotline staffed by volunteers who are all trans-identified and educated in the range of difficulties transgender people experienceU.S. (877) 565-8860
Canada (877) 330-6366
http://www.translifeline.org - Sometimes it’s helpful to seek support from someone older than you, maybe a trusted adult other than a parent, who can help you process things in a conversation face to face. You could consider talking to a trusted teacher, guidance counselor, older cousin or sibling, aunt/uncle or a coach. These people in your life could possibly help you work out what you’re going to say to Mom and Dad before you talk to them or just provide extra support to you as you walk this path.
- If you wanted to find more information about the LGBTQ community on TeenCentral you can click here: LGBTQ. Here you will find blog posts, other kids’ stories with counselor feedback and informational pages you might find beneficial! We really encourage you to read other stories written by other young people like yourself. This helps you feel LESS ALONE in your situation. This is really important.
CHECK IT OUT
- A strategy we suggest for gaining the courage up for a difficult situation is writing what you want to say in LETTER FORM first. This might help you get your thoughts and feelings out and organized before you get into the conversation. It also might help you calm your nerves.
- A great activity to help express how your feeling is to write, journal, or some expression of art. To get started on journalling and to understand why it works so well for many people read up on this What’s New blog. Writing not your thing? More interested in art? Read this blog on how to start an Art Journal. You could things such as a pros and cons list, (find a tool to help HERE) write letters to others, or look at one of our pages on Journal Prompts. If you wanted to look into Art as a coping skill or a coping mechanism in order to calm your nerves click here!
