Family

Our extended family is just that. They don't represent us nor do they know us at our deepest level. They are people we grew up with and with whom we share some genetics. Therefore the idea that family means everything is maybe nice for Hallmark movies but in reality these are often complicated entitles full of political layering. Transgender people often have to navigate these waters with great care and realize that at some point our own survival matters more than keeping ties which bring us little and maybe even potentially damage.

With age and reflection I have learned to use an arms length approach which wishes everyone well without damaging my own sense of self. If someone doesn't care for the way I live they are free to keep their distance because I won't change anything to appease and feed into a narrative of who they think I am or should be.

Would you like to control the way someone else lives to reflect your own vision? 

Didn't think so. Me neither.