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Over one and a half million people identify astransgenderin the United States.
If your partner hasjust informed youof their trans identity, you might have a lot of questions.
You also might have a lot of feelings, which is completely normal!
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By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your behavior as a supportive for your partner as possible.
You might have had inklings of theirgender dysphoria, or you might be fully surprised.
They are putting themself in a highly vulnerable situation, to boot.
The most important thing when your partner comes out to you is to not doubt them.
Doubting someone who shares a part of themself with you is hurtful and invalidating.
Additionally, it’s disrespectful.
It’s very possible that you and your partner will survive this change.
You may be thinking many different thoughts, and you may be overwhelmed with sudden, strong feelings.
Knowing your partner’s boundaries around their transition will help you iron out your own feelings.
Gender affirming careis personal and intimate.
It is up to them to decide whether or not your feelings impact their care and their journey.
This is a great time to discuss what’s next for your partner.
Most importantly, your partner relies on you for support, just as you rely on them.
Behave supportively, and lean into their enthusiasm around their new identity as much as possible.
Countless resources are available to help you mentally and emotionally process this news.
One option is to seek out asupport groupfor partners of trans people.
You may also benefit from discussing this matter with a therapist.
That will help you achieve the best possible feedback and information from them.
Additionally, this is an excellent time to givecouples therapya try.
A couples therapist can help you to understand one another better than you may have thought possible.
Meerwijk EL, Sevelius JM.Transgender population size in the united states: a meta-regression of population-based probability samples.
Am J Public Health.
2017 Feb;107(2):e18.
Bischof GH; W.Thematic analysis of the experiences of wives who stay with husbands who transition male-to-female*.
Michigan Family Review [Internet].
2011;15(1).
Overview of gender-affirming treatments and procedures| Gender Affirming Health Program [Internet].
[cited 2022 Jun 17].
