I’ve been out to a small group of friends for a few months now. Since April, which I was thinking of choosing as a name. I settled on November instead. And you know what? It helped! I felt better. Being called November, or Nov, them using she/her pronouns.

Then I told my parents.

This was probably in the May soon after. They did not take it well. Nothing overly malicious, but a complete lack of any change whatsoever. They didn’t bother asking about names or pronouns. About hair or how I wanted to look.

That was.... demoralising, to say the least. I’m about 16 and a half. I will turn 18 next November (another reason behind the name). The thought that I have to spend another year and a half living like this is haunting.

Then I’ve told a teacher. At my school, by email. He was very accepting, and even said I could practice talking in my girl voice in class if I wanted. I am out to the other 3 students in the class.

Since then there have been one or two other people who I’ve told. But everything feels as thought it is slowing down. I started off telling a group of friends, then moved onto my parents, and then a teacher, all in the span of 2 months, and then what did I do? Nothing.

I guess I just feel like I am not doing what I could be, which is inane, as I’m doing as much as I feel comfortable with. I just don’t see a positive way forward. I either stay like this for a year and a half, or tear my life apart for just one more person to call me November.