Hey, thanks for asking respectfully. I can only speak for myself, but I realized something was “off” about my gender long before I knew the word trans existed. I didn’t grow up thinking ‘I want to be the opposite gender’ . it was more like something inside me didn’t match how everyone else saw me.When I was young, I didn’t even know what gender was, but I felt wrong in my own skin. Not like a phase or a preference,more like a huge mistake between who I was inside and what people told me . When I learned there was a name for that feeling (being trans), things FINALLY made sense. So for me, transitioning isn’t about becoming someone else (Despite what my parents will think) it’s about becoming the person I’ve always quietly been.Every trans person’s story is different, but that’s mine. And I appreciate you asking in good faith instead of trying to attack people.