10 things we wished we knew before starting transition

1. Plenty of people will find you attractive.
2. ‘Passing’ is easier than you think.
3. There’s no reason to rush anything.
4. There’s no reason to hold yourself back if you want to transition.
5. The people who have known you the longest might be the ones who understand you the least.
6. The truth of who you are is not up for debate.
7. When it comes to transsexualism, there are plenty of stupid questions. You are under no obligation to educate anyone.
8. There’s no checklist. Your mannerisms, sexuality, relationship to your body and medical procedures (or not) are entirely up to you.
9. When it comes to your own questions about transition, there are no dumb questions, so ask as many questions as many times as you need.
10. Be yourself. You’ll be fine.
     

Note: This list has in part, come from a livejournal.com entry in response to the question: “What do you wish you had known when you just started transitioning?” If you know the original author(s) please contact FTM Australia so we can credit these authors.

page updated 3 January 2011