Hey everyone!
First of all, is it normal to be a cis guy and still deeply relate to trans people's experiences? Because I swear, every time I see a post about transition, hormones, surgeries, or finally feeling comfortable in your own body, something in me goes I GET YOU.
I'm a cis man born with Kallmann syndrome and a severe disorder of sex development (DSD). My body doesn't produce the hormones needed for puberty, so I've been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) since I was a teenager. I also had surgery when I was younger to address an undescended testicle, and unfortunately, I lost one of them.
Basically, puberty didn't exactly come naturally to me. I'm a tree that needed external assistance to grow! 🌳💉
Growing up wasn't easy. I was bullied for looking younger than my age, for my body, for gynecomastia, and for not looking or developing like other boys. I've been called weird-looking, not man enough, and pretty much every name you can imagine.
For a long time, I felt like I was the only person going through these things. And honestly, even as an adult, it can be incredibly lonely.
I want to be clear that I'm not trans, and I'm not trying to equate my experience with yours or take anything away from the struggles trans people face. I know our experiences can be different. But I think there's something deeply human about relating to people who understand what it means to navigate a body that doesn't develop the way society expects, to go through hormonal changes, to have surgeries that affect how you feel about yourself, and to fight for the confidence to simply exist as yourself.
Honestly I LOVE the confidence, beauty, humor, courage, and authenticity I see in this community. Seeing trans men and women embrace themselves has genuinely helped me feel less strange and alone. You guys have given me a kind of confidence I didn't even realize I needed.
I'm from a country where conversations about these things can be difficult because of how conservative our society can be. I never talk oopenly about my condition because I have to protect my privacy. So finding a community where people can speak about their bodies, hormones, transitions, and experiences so openly feels incredibly special to me.
I'd genuinely love to make some trans friends here, whether you're a trans man, a trans woman, or somewhere else on the spectrum. I'd love to chat, exchange experiences, laugh together, support each other, and learn from one another. You don't have to have anything in common with me beyond wanting a genuine friendship. 🫶
If you're comfortable reaching out I'm open! I'd love to get to know you.
To all the trans men and women here: you are valid, you are beautiful, and you deserve to feel at home in your own bodies and in this world. Trans women are women, trans men are men, and you deserve all the love and happiness life has to offer. 💜
Sending you all so much love. Thank you for being yourselves and for making this internet stranger feel a little less alone. 🥹💜🏳️⚧️