How can I explain my GD and transitioning to my parents ?
How can I explain my GD and transitioning to my parents? Dr Trinka Arora
When we transition, the GD certificate is needed several times. One when we start our Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT we have to get a GD Certificate. And second, when we go for genital surgery we need another GD certificate. Dr Trinka Arora tells us more about GD Certificates and how one can talk to their parents about it.
How much time does the 2nd GD Certificate take?
Starting HRT is the first process where you are slowly getting comfortable with your identity and getting ready for the hormones and the changes they bring to your body. So when you go through these changes then you get ready for surgery.
The 2nd GD Certificate certifies that you are ready for surgery. Surgery is irreversible. If you have done it once then it is difficult to go back. So then it is very important that we know that you are sure about this.
How do I come out to my family?
Telling families and friends is terrifying but Dr Trinka gives us some tips to keep in mind before telling our family that this is what we are going through.
Firstly, talk to them honestly, tell them about the time which you spent alone discovering yourself and finally accepting yourself- discuss about that phase.
Apart from that, show them the people who have already transitioned- through videos and also, videos of doctors who explain how safe the procedure is and how one can lead a normal and happy life after that. So it will become really easy for the family to accept you too.
They do not have any knowledge about this so if you help them meet people and if you let them learn through videos or meet other Trans people who have gone through the same journey. So when you make the unknown known then the journey of acceptance becomes easier.
Then comes society. Unlike a family who loves you and might be easier to convince, because they want to make it easier for us- society is difficult to deal with. So how do we deal with it? Dr Trinka suggests counselling. Counselling will help us face these questions about transition and society.