Spouses of Transgender Community Group
Being transgender it's not easy but neither for their spouses. This group is created with the intention of helping and getting to know others that are in. the same situation or to just educate those that are on the other side of the fence and want to know how does it feel or how would it feel to be a spouse of a transgender person. The main objective of this group is...
For the first 9 months after my husband came out to me, I was in complete shock. I didn't know it at the time. I became is # 1 supporter, his defender and his cheerleader. Inside I was hurting so very bad though but I pushed it down.
I finally had an awakening of sorts and realized that I was hurting just too much and I could feel myself slipping away. Becoming a woman has consumed my husband regardless of the fact that we have 2 small children. Everyone he loved and cared about has been put aside on his quest to fulfill this need he has had for so long.
I filed for divorce 2 months ago. I still love him so very much and wish we could have the future that we planned but he is so blinded by this. Sure, he might come out of it someday but I refuse to spend years waiting for that possibility. Besides, who's to say he would even still want ME at the end of all of this? So I understand the desire to hope/want things to work and I have no doubt that it will for some, but unfortunately the odds are against you. But only you can make that choice and only when you have finally realized if this is what you want for yourself.
In a loose quote (I can't find the exact post) from a feminist blog about this topic; when she told her therapist that she intended to stay with her husband (this was right after he came out) her therapist said "I support your decision but you're in for a world of hurt." And that's all this has been for me anyway, is a world of hurt.
Keep this in mind when others warn you about getting out. I would offer the same advice but I know that you can only make that choice once you have come to it, if that makes any sense.
Here's the blog: https://transwidow.wordpress.com/
She can be a little radical sometimes, in my opinion, but other times she hits the nail right on the head.
Is your S.O. still taking your feelings into account even when their own are in such a state of disarray? Communication is key if you want things to work out.
You can say ‘I love you, this is a lot to take in, these things are confusing me, can you help me understand.’ You can even tell your S.O. that you need to work through things and need time to think.
The period where they want you to refer to them as one gender in private and another in public is hard. You will be constantly stressing about accidentally letting their secret slip. It gets easier once they go public. At least it did for me.
Only coming out to you so far is a show of trust that you will not hurt them. It is also a test to see how comfortable they are with a bunch of strange urges they are trying to sort out. It is a lot safer to try a dress on and have you tell them they look pretty, than to put that same dress on and walk out the door.
As far as I have seen a lot of things don’t change at all, and a lot of things change a lot. I still have to mentally correct myself, changing husband to wife in my head and it has been about six months. You obviously cared about this person enough to marry them. So long as it doesn’t turn into an abusive relationship why not see if you can love this woman the same way you loved that man? I won’t lie, it is going to be an emotional roller coaster. You are likely going to have to deal with depression and dysphoria from your S.O.. Are they worth it?
So long as you keep communicating you can help them sort out their emotions while they help you sort out your own. You will both come away with a better understanding of one another and ideally a strong relationship you know can weather hardship.
Here is what advice I can give you from where I am in my own journey.
Number one is that communication is the most important thing you can establish at this stage. There are ways to gently let your spouse know the ways you feel. Try being specific; instead of a general statement like "this makes me uncomfortable" say what really bothers you about it. For example, "I don't know if I will still be sexually attracted" or "I want to be supportive but I don't understand how you feel."
Some gender therapists will invite spouses to join certain sessions or set up their own appointments. I recommend this, especially if you have no-one else you feel you can talk to. My fiancé and I are headed to counseling; not because our bond is weak, but because we want to strengthen it even more to prepare for the road ahead.
The last bit I have for now is practice. If your spouse has chosen a new name, practice using it when you are alone or in your head when you refer to them. It will feel awkward, but if you put in the effort you will realize that while the name may change, the person underneath remains the same.
Hopefully this brings you comfort. I wish you well.
You will read such a variety of stories. 2) Get a therapist.
My partner is still closeted and that remains hard for me. But you have to let them have their journey and have yours. And have one together. My partner and I are staying together. I have no question about that. But if you aren't in that place be honest. You aren't not supportive by not being able to stay.