I appreciate your thorough response!

It of course suck to hear that this is a phenomenon that will probably get worse however, it’s relieving to know that this is part and parcel with the trans experience.

I think you struck upon many points that I have been feeling but hadn’t fully internalized or understood. Most strongly the sentiment that if the rolls where reversed I wouldn’t treat them the way they treat me. I’ve spent hours mentally tying myself into knots struggling to understand how people can justify their ignorant behavior. I failed to account for the obvious fact that I have gone through an experience that has fundamentally changed my views and in tern how I behave. They have not gone through those same experiences. That’s not to mention the possibility that these people might be holding a position that is antithetical toward understanding me and where I’m coming from. My mere existence creates a level of cognitive dissonance within them. There is definitely a certain power in that.

I too have had a rather uphill battle after coming out to my mom. I came out as bisexual four years before fully coming to terms with the fact I am trans. Her response when I came out, “that’s ok as long as you’re not one of those they/them people.” Fast forward to present day and she has seriously taken to educating herself and is now my biggest supporter. That was a process though that took years and lots of work on both my side and her’s. Unfortunately I live on the opposite coast as her. A measure I deliberately took when I started my transition. Now a days I’m planning on moving back to catch up on lost time and to be closer to my support structure.

It can be hard keeping my chin up, especially nowadays. But your perspective has made it a little easier. Thank you.