I'm often so-so about proclaming myself as trans; that word in combination with my queer+masc presentation can sorta give the wrong idea about my story. Today, though, I'm here to remind folks that trans includes many different paths and approaches, and they're all valid. #TransDayOfVisibility
FWIW, here is that story: I'm AMAB, and have been dysphoric about a lot of traditional male traits for as long as I can remember. For years I was stuck because 'to female' was the only available transition path.
Eventually more became available, and I gave non-binary transition a shot. For me, that actually meant many of the same medical steps as a transfeminine transition, but without the associated social transitions. This was not out of fear, or an unwelcoming environment.
Getting rid of testosterone, facial hair, etc, helped immensely with my dysphoria about masculinization. That, plus a lot of thought and experimentation, allowed me to find a gender expression that felt comfortable and simply correct for me.
That all couldn't have happened without my local trans community and the broader movement. Even if my expression didn't shift from one end of a binary to another, it was still a gender transition, and it's important that cases like this be visible.
We are so diverse, but hopefully y'all here know that already. There was a long time that I was really frustrated and lonely about this stuff, feeling like I was the only one doing what I'm doing, but lately that's changed a lot. It does my plush heart a world of good seeing all the other folks working out gender in their own ways. You all are awesome.
💜🌊🌟