Can we make it work?

Over the years I have written extensively about the relationships of gender variant people. They are often difficult and resemble minefields where you need to navigate the terrain very gingerly. I don't know of anyone personally who hasn't had issues because even without this added challenge, relationships can be frought with hardship. 

It is possible to make things work especially today where youth is more open to diversity and loving a person including all facets of who they are. Here I think of Gail the young woman whose partner was transitioning and who told me she wasn't going anywhere. Of course she is my daughter's age. 

Things have changed a lot over my lifetime and the pervasive programming over gender norms was softened over time. With education came tolerance and understanding which broke or at least bent the previous rules to allow for some success. 

My marriage didn't survive but then there were other underlying issues which made revealing my transgender nature the icing on the cake. I am now convinced that one cannot be truly content sharing a life without being genuine and respectful of their own identity. 

No one wins when there are masks worn. 

I think that the presence of dysphoria and its strength is the key ingredient which determines how much compromise and flexibility can exist within a union. That being said, someone who rejects you solely based on a desire for occasional cross gender expression in 2025 should be questioned. One can grow with society and be educated to the extent that it need not necessitate a dissolution. 

From where I sit now it's all very clear but then hindsight bolstered by personal experience will do that. I am also in that phase of life where I am almost an immovable object when it comes to respecting my own integrity and principles. 

Your own mileage may vary.