Hi mack. I'm Skye (or what I want to be called). I feel the same way just the other way around. I was born a boy but I am a girl. I have recently been thinking the same think as you (but like I said the opposite way around). I don't feel like a boy at all. I like boys but can't date one presenting as a boy. Have you told any relatives friends or parents about how you feel?

Hello, Mack.

I am guessing I am a much older person than you. (61!) That doesn't give me all the answers, but does give me a lot of sympathy and empathy for you since I know you are struggling with questions I have struggled with, too.

I would describe myself as a female to male trans person,who didn't have options growing up to dress as male regularly at school or work, or transition physically with hormones or surgery. It must be very confusing and at the same time hopeful to have all those options to think about while also wondering if you aregay/lesbian, trans, or somewhere else on the scale of gender possibilities. Do you have a counselor you see to help with your mental illness? Maybe that person or your family doctor could help you find a counselor who is really experienced helping people sort out these questions. I understand not identifying as a girl though that was my assigned birth identity. It was a huge relief to be dressed as a boy/man, and to at some points be in a primarily male job. I really didn't have the desire to date as a girl with a girl but I would have felt positive if I could have gone out identified as a boy and later as a man.

Mack, it is hard to be patient when you are thinking all of this through, but maybe letting your parents know how confusing this is on top of your mental illness and getting an experienced counselor would give you hope to feel better about this. My dad told me I was bigger than my problems, and I bet you are, too.

Liam

Hello Mack, My birth name is Callum - however i would love to be called Caitlyn one day, You are like the opposite to me, I feel like a girl, i like boys, i could never date a boy as a boy however, no offence gay community but i'm not into some of that shit your into. I have suffered from depression and have had many suicidal thoughts including a plan i almost went though with. And this depression stemmed from keeping being transgender a secret, and even for many years denying it from my self. Im 15, so relative to some people on these forums i'm quite young. I know your pain, the only time i feel free is when i cross dress (don't judge but people have to satisfy needs) even when i do that, i still don't feel free, after all i still have this fucking dick between my legs. If you want to talk to someone who similar problems, i don't mind. My advice to you is to come out, to your family, don't even care what they think. Hopefully there better then mine. Don't come out at high school wait for college where people will be more mature, that's what i'm doing, (i live in the uk college and high school might be different in other countries, but in the uk you finish high school when your 16. Then you have to do either college or an apprenticeship)

Is there anything stopping you from exploring and kinda figuring yourself out ie. Unsupportive parents, bullying ect?

thank you to everyone for helping me. To answer some of your questions, yes, I have a counselor. My parents aren't unsupportive. my mom supports gays but idk if she'll accept that. My dad wont accept it. I don't know if I would call it being bullied, but people talk about me and give me bad looks.