I was planning to write a longer post for this mega and then Silksong happened so... oops?
Short version is this week is my 9th tranniversary. I don't remember which day exactly so I like to say it was 9/11 so I'd never forget. What ultimately cracked my egg all those years ago was not the deep yearning when looking at women that I couldn't identify as envy or the increasingly intense and umm horny dreams where I had the power to instantly change my gender. No it was that fucking faceapp gender swap filter. I just kept staring at that pic like it was a mirror into an alternate universe where I was happier and suddenly everything clicked into place. The first few years were hit or miss with a lot of other life changes happening at the time that interfered with getting properly started so in some ways it's more like a 5 or 6 year tranniversary but whatever. 
It's weird to say I'm almost done but I really am so close to making all the changes I wanted. I'll never stop being trans, but I'm definitely moving from trans(itioning) femme to trans(itioned) femme and that's quite exciting. And maybe a little wistful looking back at the journey.
Have a good week everyone!
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I think a lot about those studies that showed just knowing a trans person is enough to change people's opinion positively on trans right. Like not being friends or family, just knowing of a trans person.
That's why I kind of love being a huge, beautiful, goofy, obviously trans woman with amazing style who, as a meme I once saw said "was a a pleasure in class and I'm determined to make that everyone's problem".
Like I am going to start a conversation with you ostensibly Cis person and you will enjoy it. Then if trans rights ever come down the track as topic, you are gonna remember me and have a positive opinion.
I like passing but its a little sad to not be read as trans. One of my coworkers didnt know I was trans until me and her had talked to a trans patient about healthcare and clothing stuff and sge asked me how I knew that all - and was surprised when I said I was trans. We'd known eachother for over a year!
I fully respect people who do stealth cause thats their preference or for safety but I like being openly trans
I don't try to go stealth but apparently I pass reasonably well because I have told cis people that I'm trans, or at least alluded to having transitioned in a way that I'd think the people I was talking to understood and they just continue to believe that I am somehow just a very tall cis lesbian with a deep voice. I have told medical professionals who can see the gender dysphoria diagnosis on my chart that I do not have a uterus, I have never had a period in my life, I was born without a uterus or ovaries and they just shrug and go "huh alright". I've had coworkers who didn't realize I was trans for a year. I told them I was. They forgot? I've fostered kids who didn't realize I was trans (the kids who did realize were uniformly cool about it, this could mean nothing).
I live as out as I can but sometimes there is that math you have to do in your head about whether it's worth disclosing to someone or not. Most of the time I just let people figure it out themselves eventually. If it comes up, it comes up, it's part of who I am but it is not the most interesting part of who I am and I'm not leading with it.
Never underestimate the obliviousness of cis people. It's really something.
I do, now, get the "are you pregnant" when Im getting a vaccine or whatever. And they dont listen if you coyly get around it lol, saying I dont have a uterus usually works.
I had a hell of a time trying to pass for years. I dont know what's changed exactly over the last couple years. I guess just more time on HRT.
Or else
Some of the fiercest cis allies I've had have been random people in (fuckass nowhere reactionary shithole) who happened to know trans people. When you're confronted with the reality that we're not some weird Other that exists in porn or as a punchline or just that weird lady (?) who makes me kind of uncomfortable and scurries around like a scared animal whenever I see her, it makes it hard to maintain those prejudices. This goes for any people who are marginalized/othered. It goes for us too.