So, this week marks two years since I did my social transition.
The timeline over which a trans person transitions is different for all of us. For me, I started with attending social groups 5 years ago, counselling and group therapy 4 years ago, hormone treatment 3 years ago, social transition 2 years ago, one year ago decided to move forward with Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS), which I completed this year.
It's been 4 years since I came out to my daughters. It's been 3 years since I came out to my family of origin. Two years since I've seen my parents and younger sister. One year since I've seen my youngest sister.
My wife has been terrified, angry, sad, resigned, accepting, happy; a cycle that has repeated so many times over the years as she's come to terms with each step of my transition. Somehow she holds together.
At my business, I effectively withdrew from the business community 5 years ago, and then two years ago began emerging again.
A trans person's social transition is, in my opinion, their most vulnerable time. Looking back, I am so happy to have had the supports in my life that I had.
I learned some hard lessons over the years. Realizing where I can find support, and not. Realizing how hard it would hit me to have important people in my life unable to support me. Realizing I can't force the issue, deciding to withdraw.
But this week marks two years of rebuilding my life, after having torn it down and standing naked in front of the world. Living the monotony, joy, tears, anger, and fear of everyday life.
Two wonderfully authentic years.
