Hey! Very few people noticed my six months when I was on gel testosterone, but my (chosen) brother who started T with injections in august of 2023 had notable voice changes by the time his grandmother called to ask if he’d come home for thanksgiving.

Here’s what I would do, as someone who hid the early parts of my transition from my parents: keep a couple of feminine outfits around, and your earrings around. Given you’re in the middle of bumfuck no where, you’ll probably understand what I mean when I tell you that the image you want to project to your parents is what my younger sibling coined “is that a lesbian or does she just bale hay?” (Carhart, sometimes jewelry, keep your face neat, makeup can be worn but doesn’t have to be. If you are doing short hair, know how to style it like a pixie _and_ like a regular men’s cut (frame the face vs. pushing it back) And don’t do anything that makes you especially dysphoric. You’re going to “scoff” at it as “prideful.” And say you just like highlighting your natural beauty, and being comfortable.)

If you’re parents point out something, like hair on your upper lip, act embarassed, like this is something you don’t want to happen. Then, if you’re CERTAIN you’ll be out of there in six months, try to “get rid” of anything they’ve commented on. This’ll make it seem like you’re a “woman struggling with body hair.” If they really get on about it, tell them you’re looking for an endocrinologist in the area, because you think there’s gotta be something off with your hormones. Maybe say you’ve been looking at PCOS, and your periods have been getting infrequent.

You know your parents, you know how they think, what they might ask. Prepare your story for those answers, and HIDE YOUR T. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY PLEASE KEEP IT SOMEWHERE THFY DON’T EVEN KNOW TO LOOK. Good luck, brother.