Honestly, I don’t know if I would like me. I think I’d like certain parts, but I don’t know if I’d like be best friends with myself. I think I’d find it rather miserable.
I have my basic needs covered. Food, water, clothes, shelter, etc… I will always be grateful for that, regardless of how difficult other aspects of life are.
How would you deal with visiting your family if it involved frequently being misgendered? Does intentionality of misgendering influence your answer?
I mean… I’ve never struggled with this personally. So take my answer with a grain of salt. First of all, intentionally misgendering someone is never okay. Doesn’t matter who is doing it or what their supposed reasoning is. There is no justification for it. So if that is happening to you, I think there needs to be a firm boundary set in place where you tell them how you are to be addressed. Even tell them that you won’t accept or respond to anything else if you need to. Second, I think it is always good to educate, if possible. As long as you’re okay with it, maybe let your family ask questions regarding your gender identity? Because the more you speak about it, and the more they understand where you’re coming from, the higher the chances they will listen to you. Obviously, this is totally an individual and personal thing, so depending on your family situation, it may not be possible. But I think one of the ways people truly learn to normalize and accept something is to see it and be exposed to it repeatedly. Third, I would say, tell them how misgendering makes you feel. Whether that’s through talking with them on the phone, or in person, writing a letter, a text, an email, whatever method you are comfortable with… That’s another good way to potentially get them to listen and understand. And finally, if you truly cannot get through to them, and they refuse to stop, maybe the solution is to go no-contact for a bit. Doesn’t have to be permanent, by any means, but it might force them to understand that if they really want a relationship with you, they have to respect your identity. But like I said, everyone’s family situation is different, and going no-contact isn’t always possible for everyone. So, I hope that helps to some extent. I’m very sorry you have go through this.