Only we can

No one can look after a transgender person better than themselves. After all, others don't know what it is like to be us and no matter how well meaning, they won't comprehend what we need.

In the not too distant past LGBTQ people largely lived on suppression. Gays and lesbians would enter conventional marriages and gender variant people would either live in the closet or transition in stealth.

For the first time in my life I am finally completely and fully looking after my needs as a transgender person which has no price and is something which can only be fully appreciated once we exit the bubble we used to exist in. So while I have always preached restraint and much reflection before entering any process, I also don't believe that suppression of identity is the answer as it will only lead to frustration with increasing age.

Those who already exist in a balanced situation are to be congratulated but for the rest who aren't, don't expect that your partner or extended family will provide you with what you require as only we can do that. If your identity is viewed as a parriah I am hard pressed to see a harmonious and positive outcome which benefits all concerned.

Thank goodness transgender youth already viscerally understand this and therefore who they are isn't up for negotiation. Plus they don't give a shit what anyone thinks of them.