Friends,
I had the most amazing experience yesterday. In the past couple weeks I have realized that I need to go all the way to full transition and as a result, I need to start telling people. With a LOT of second guessing, nervousness and literal fear, I told my first person (a female co-worker and best opposite sex friend) the whole story, yesterday afternoon. I was literally trembling and could barely speak the words but, I successfully dropped the "T-bomb". I called myself transgendered in the most vulnerable and unpredictable environment yet. ...And she was TOTALLY cool with it!!!!!!!! Her first words were, "this, in no way, changes anything about our friendship or how I feel about you". To which I replied, "...Well, I hope it changes ONE thing about it"

It couldn't have gone better.
The process started a couple days ago when she sensed there was something wrong. I always knew if there was anyone I'd tell at work, it'd be her and even THIS step was premeditated but I told her I'd like to tell her what's going on in my life and asked her if she'd be willing to listen AND keep it a secret. Of course she said yes but I was sure she didn't realize the gravity of the secret. I told her I'd tell her in a couple days but just before I spilled the beans yesterday, I reminded her it was really big and that if she wasn't willing to keep a big secret, she could still pass on her original offer. She was still willing to hear it so I started by saying what I was about to tell her was the REAL reason I was growing my hair out and the REAL reason I have lost 50 pounds and the real reason I was going to get earrings pretty soon etc and, while shaking and nearly crying I breathed out the words, "I'm transgender". ...And I didn't die! We then talked for the next couple hours about everything I have felt growing up, what brought me to the point of revealing my true identity and what lies ahead for me, my family and friends and the environment at work. Who I'll tell, when and how. And even a fair amount of time talking about clothes and makeup and fashion tips. It all ended in a big hug. It was such a relief to be accepted by someone for who I really am without reserve or hesitation. No questions and no judgement. I'm just basking in baffled amazement, happy to the core that another door to being my true self has opened gracefully just as I was about to smack into it, or so I thought.