Dear Anita

Sending you hugs. Hope T and their father find some good resources to help.

I feel like for the Gender Aptitude Test, I feel like option D. I have been enjoying what makes me happy, hiking out in nature. Learning life skills like cooking and car repairs. I feel like life skills like these shouldn’t have gender attached to them because they’re important for all to learn. I feel like I lean more toward the masculine side though. I feel comfortable dressing as a guy- short hair, darker, plain clothing, suits and ties. I loved the lgbtq community at my community college and the transcendence transgender group at stockton university. I feel like I’ve been presenting as a guy in my college years and been much happier. I struggled with myself and societal expectations of gender when first starting out but with therapy and taking time to rest in nature and meditation has helped me grow more in tune with myself. I feel more confident in my gender expression. I’m not trying to be strong and muscular like a stereotypical guy, I’m taking care of my health, working with a nutritionist and getting fit with yoga. I feel like when first starting out, transgender people try so hard to be a certain way because society tends to put lots of pressure on gender stereotypes. So it’s important to take care of yourself (advice for T) and not try to fit into a box. Men can cry, it’s healthy to express emotions. And they don’t have to be strong, and muscular they just need to be healthy. And remember that they are valid how they feel. It takes time to grow and learn how to express yourself (advice for T) and it’s okay to struggle at times. Take it a step at a time, be kind to yourself and remember that you’re loved and supported. Listen to your heart and do what makes you feel happy