Coming out as transgender involves a lot of changes, mentally and physically. The journey can bring many challenges and considerations, however, it’s important to keep in mind that support is also an essential part of the process.

For this reason, there are many organisations in Ireland and beyond that offer support to transgender people who are exploring their identity or coming out.

Belong To, Ireland’s LGBTQ+ youth charity, is one of these organisations. Among its many services, it has a free guide about coming out as transgender, which contains a lot of useful information about what it means to be trans, and definitions of different terminology such as ‘gender identity’, ‘sex assigned at birth’ or ‘gender dysphoria’.

It also includes a detailed explanation of things to consider when coming out as trans, such as time, location, words, reactions, preparation, and, of course, support services. 

“There is no right or wrong way to come out as trans. What is important is that you do it in a way that feels right for you when it is safe for you to do so,” the guide states.

The organisation also offers a thorough explanation about transitioning, “the process through which trans people change their gender expression to match their gender identity”. 

In this section, there’s a careful description of the transition process and how it “can range from minor changes (such as names and pronouns) to more long-term changes (such as surgery and hormones)”. It also refers to social transitioning, which involves “changing appearance such as how you dress, your hair or your make-up”. 

Regarding legal transition, the guide recommends checking its website for updated information on changing names and applying for a gender recognition certificate. 

As for medical transitioning, “making the decision can be scary and most people have no idea where to start”. This process can include puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy or surgery. For this reason, the guide recommends to “talk to an adult you trust, a teacher or a Youth Worker”. 

There are also many other support services such as TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) or AMACH! LGBT+ Galway’s pocket guide to transitioning, which “provides information on public pathways to social, legal, and medical transition in Ireland.”

Online educational platform Everyday Feminism also offers advice on what to consider when coming out and exploring your gender. The author, Adrian Ballou, a genderqueer writer, activist and educator, notes:

1. Only you define your gender or lack of gender
2. Confusion is okay
3. Go ahead and try things out
4. Only you can figure out what transitioning looks like for you and what it means to you 
5. You are trans if you say you are, no matter what your transition looks like
6. Dealing with negative feelings and stigma is hard, but you are not alone
7. Find real-life and online support

The Trevor Project is another non-profit organisation that provides crisis support services, research, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people and offers a handbook about coming out as transgender.

Another organisation, the Human Rights Campaign, “seeks to fundamentally change the way LGBTQ+ people are treated in our everyday lives”. Its report is filled with advice on how to come out as transgender, the transition process (before and after) and a catalogue of other resources about things like transitioning in the workplace or exploring issues in communities of faith.

Belong To also has a separate article which fully addresses the issue of how to manage self-doubt. The post offers examples and therapy writing exercises for tackling self-doubt, which include writing self-doubts down, positive self-affirmations and activities for understanding identity in context. 

These are just a few examples of resources to check out for people exploring their gender identity. The most important thing is to know that you are not alone and that there is support out there, should you need it.