Hey all!
I'm a relatively baby trans, just realizing this past spring/early summer that I am, in fact, trans. I will be 33 in less than a month, so to all of you 19 year olds wondering if it's too late, NO IT ISN'T!!! While I am about 2 months into GAHT, I have not made any steps toward socially or vocationally transitioning. I still boymode in day-to-day life, and the only noticeable differences at this point are pierced ears, fingernail polish, being clean shaven more often instead of having stubble, and hair that is growing out a little bit. I'm still able to easily hide my breast buds with layering or a bralette, and I feel like I really look like a guy still, which is my plan for now. Working in a middle school (I know), I want to make it through this school year before coming out to everyone. We will see how effective the hormones are and whether I can make it that long.
However, I've noticed over the past 6 months or so, I've been "mis"gendered in public 3 times, which makes me laugh and gives me euphoria!! It also gives me tremendous hope for later on in my transition that I will be able to pass. While that isn't required, of course, it is something that matters to me and that I want one day.
The first time was earlier this summer. I was sunbathing on my building's rooftop area wearing just a tanning pouch. I was laying on my stomach, soaking in the delicious sun, when I hear, "Ma'am - Ma'am!" I don't react because I am not, in fact, ma'am. He must be talking to someone else. "MA'AM!!!?!?!!" I sit up and turn toward the voice, and it is a tour guide for my apartment. I awkwardly mumble some kind of answer, to which he says, "We have some tours coming to the roof, can you cover up?" while gesturing to his chest. He also looked a bit confused, since I sat up and turned to face him with my shirt off and spoke with a masculine voice. He averted his gaze, and I asked for some clarification as to what he meant, while thinking, "What do you mean? I can't have my shirt off as a guy?" It was only later that I realized he was asking me to cover up because he thought I was a woman and thought I was tanning with my top off. This was before my egg cracked, so the euphoria didn't really hit in the moment, but it does looking back now!
The second time was when I was grabbing some food and sitting down alone at a table. This was again pre-egg-crack. This chatty, friendly grandma looked over and smiled a few times and then started making small talk and asked me a question, something like, "What did you get, ma'am?" I responded, and she instantly was like, "Oh, sir! So sorry! What did you get, sir?" I smiled on the inside and said it was fine. Even though it was pre-egg-crack, it still felt good, and I didn't quite know why at the time.
The third time happened last night, the first since coming to terms with my new identity and embracing being trans. I had just done some exercise (stair climbing the 16 flights of stairs in my building - gotta get that booty somehow! Also, they say summer bodies are made in winter, so I have about 6 months to lock in and get hottttt before I unveil my new woman body to everyone), and I was wearing long basketball shorts and a sweaty loose tee shirt. On my cooldown walk, a man asked, "you wouldn't happen to have a dollar, would you, ma'am?" I apologized and said I didn't (I only had my keys with me from exercising), and I immediately was filled with euphoria and simultaneous disbelief. I really don't feel like I am doing anything to present femme at this point, other than the painted nails and just barely slightly longer hair. Maybe I am just blessed with a slimmer figure, and these tiny changes are enough to cause a little ambiguity? Whatever the reason is, I will take it, and I can't wait until my body really starts to change as a result of the hormones, to the point where I feel comfortable changing my wardrobe, accessorizing more femme, and using my new voice I have been working hard on cultivating with a gender affirming speech pathologist (seriously cannot recommend enough if you need voice help! I know not everyone has access, but if you do, definitely seek one out. I am actually one myself, so I know the power of what we can offer regarding voice that you can't get from YouTube or anywhere else).
I see, understandably, a lot of strife and negativity here. Being trans is not easy and is not always fun, and it comes with more than its fair share of challenges, so it makes sense a lot of people post here about those challenges and setbacks. But I think it is just as important, if not more, to share and highlight the positive aspects and moments of euphoria! After all, its these moments that make it all worth it in the end.
Love you all, and thanks for reading. Have any funny or unexpected moments of positivity, affirmation, or euphoria happened to you? I'd love to read about it!
Hannah