My ex boyfriend, who is one of my best friends, is trans as well.
For him it started with crossdressing. He's loved girl's clothes since he was very young and for a very long time he kept it hidden from his parents. A little more than a year ago, he told his mother about his crossdressing. She flipped her shit and threw him in therapy, thinking there was something wrong with him. Things have majorly subsided, and he's come to the decision he's been sitting on for years now; he wants to be a woman. He talked together with his therapist and parents, and surprisingly, they've accepted him and are okay with him starting hormones in preparation for the transition. Unfortunately, when he told his father (he lives with his mom and stepdad) he went balistic on him. His father then told his grandparents, who now want nothing to do with him because he's apparently going to burn in hell. Worst of all, he's very close with his cousin Ethan, who is about 14; they've decided that he's never allowed to see Ethan again, because they're afraid he'll make Ethan want to be a girl too. It's horrible.
But, there is a silver lining. Me, along with his parents and all his friends, are extremely supportive. Best of all, his girlfriend (who also happens to be a very close friend of mine) is completely fine with it. She's bisexual and doesn't mind him having the surgery, at all. She's very happy for him and they're looking forward to their future.
