Hi! I'm transgender (FTM). I'd like to start off by saying that this is probably going to sound pretty ridiculous, but I have known I am not a girl since I was a toddler. Ever since I could start making my own decisions, I knew something wasn't right. I dressed in "boys" clothes and played with "boy" toys, and my parents never cared. I found out about transgender people and transitioning when I was 10. I'm almost 13 now, and I want to come out. I want to take testosterone and get top surgery and transition, but there's one thing stopping me. I'm scared this is just a phase. I know it's stupid, because so have felt this way my whole life. But I'm scared that I will come out and then decide later on that I was wrong. It's killing me inside to constantly be referred to as "young lady" or "ma'am", because I know that's not who I am. But my worst fear is that I will decide later on that this is just a stupid little thing that everyone goes through. Media constantly tells us that the age of 12 is notorious for its phases- scene, emo, whatever. So what if this is just a phase? I want to come out so badly, in fact, I'm out to one friend. I'm just terrified that I'll someday look back at myself and cringe. Please help.
hi! first of all i just want to say that you don't need to doubt yourself (although i know it's easier said than done). there's no "too young" to come out in my opinion, as long as you feel ready and in a safe position in your life. also, because of your age, you don't need to make a commitment yet to making physical changes to your body. you can wait until later if you want to. coming out now might be good for you just because people can begin to use male pronouns and whatnot and you might just feel more comfortable. good luck!
Since you have been feeling this was your whole life, I'm willing to bet this isn't a phase. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you feel a certain way, that's what you feel. Besides, if you do happen to actually feel like a girl or something else (which I doubt), that's ok. At one point you thought something different than today. I'm sure you've looked back at something you did when you were little and cringed, thinking 'how could I have ever been like that?' It's ok to change what you feel and identify as. That's ok (*hug*)
Hey man. Welcome to EC! First of all, you saying you have felt this way basically your whole life is not ridiculous at all. I have read and seen stories of transgender persons beginning to express this as young as 2, and there are stories about individuals identifying as transgender and beginning to transition as young as 5 and I've heard of others who are 9, 11 and 12. see here here here and here. Basically I'm saying it's clear this is what you have felt your whole life buy your own admission and so this is not a phase. This is who you are. I think if there wasn't such a negative persona of the transgender community, you wouldn't have any doubt or fear, and deep down I really don't think that you do when you read your entire post. I agree with oursecret about coming out. If you have the support of your parents, you could always ask about seeing a transgender specialist. Never hurts to ask, if they are supportive. I understand from the perspective of being gay what it feels like being at a point where you just don't want to go another day identifying as someone you are not. I got so tired of people saying: "When you find a girl", "When you get a girlfriend", "When you and your wife [blah blah blah]" and I still want so desperately for them to say boyfriend/husband. I really hope the transition process is an easy one for you. All the best, man!
