Soooo

@Theother172

Hi, there! This is a question so many in the community find themselves asking, trans folks, allies, and even the cisgender community alike. 

The Short Answer: only you can know. This is something that takes time, self-reflection, and exploration to arrive at.

The Longer Answer: Hear transgender people tell their stories and experiences can be a good place to start. Start by looking deeper into what, if anything, brought you to this stage of questioning. Any experiences you felt you missed out on in the past? Any you wish to have in the future? Anything resonating in the stories of others?

Regardless of the conclusion you arrive at, know this: self-exploration is a gift. As much as we can know ourselves by what we ARE, there is much insight to be gained in knowing what we are NOT. I wish you well on your journey!

Hope this helps!

I feel your pain and frustration, I have been fighting that same question most of my life (I’m 48 and AMAB) but lately the question has been constantly torturing me and causing me daily distress and anxiety. I’m married to a wonderful woman and have a young child. My wife is incredibly caring and compassionate but is battling her own demons right now and I don’t know if she would accept me if I were to tell her my truth. Like I’ve told some listeners on here that I’ve been doing some little things to myself that are more in line with female grooming habits and making little comments on how women get to wear better clothing than men hoping she would broach the subject first she hasn’t done so yet.

I have reached out to a gender therapist in my area but appoints are way out in the future. I have no friends that I can trust with my secret and this site has been a savior, the fact that I could finally be Katie to someone has been euphoric. It took me quite a while to “know” that I should be female and who knows if I will ever get to live my truth but you will find your answer in time and I hope it is easier for you when that time comes.

Good luck

@Theother172 if your assigned gender doesn’t match how you feel on the inside