What does it mean to transition?

Transitioning is when a trans person starts to live as the gender they identify with, not the sex they were assigned at birth. The decision of how or when to transition is a very personal one. There are many ways that people can transition. It can look very different for each person. Some people may choose not to transition at all. Others may choose to transition socially or medically. Or they may choose a combination of both. Here’s a look at what that means.

What is social transitioning?

For many trans people, some type of social transitioning is often the first step to living as their true gender. It’s a way of presenting to other people in a way that you want to be seen. And in a way that reflects your gender identity.

Social transitioning can include many things, such as:

• Telling family and friends that you’re transgender

• Deciding on a new name and asking people to call you that

• Letting people know the pronouns that you prefer they use for you, that match your gender identity (she/her, he/him, they/them)

• Wearing different clothes to match your gender identity

• Changing your hair to match your gender identity

What is medical transitioning?

Some people may choose to medically transition in some way. This can mean having hormone therapy to create more desired masculine or feminine features. It may also mean having some type of gender-affirming surgery. These are complex plastic surgery procedures to change the face, chest, genitals, or other parts. These medical treatments help to make a person’s outside appearance match their gender identity.

Transitioning and gender dysphoria

Sometimes when a person’s identity doesn’t align with the sex they were assigned at birth, it can lead to emotional problems. For some trans people, it can cause anxiety and distress. This is called gender dysphoria.

Transitioning can have many positive effects for a trans person. It changes the way other people see you. And it changes how you interact with them. Studies also show that transitioning and starting to live openly as your gender identity can help relieve gender dysphoria.

When do people know they are transgender?

Every person is different. Some trans people may know their gender identity even as a very young child. They may have always felt a little different. They may have known at a young age that they didn’t fit into the gender role that was given to them. Other people may start to question their gender identity as a teen. And some people may not start to question it until they’re an adult.

Coming out to family and friends

Coming out means telling the people in your life that you’re transgender. Deciding to come out as a trans person to those you’re close to can be a little scary. You may worry that someone won’t like or love you anymore once you tell them.

There isn’t a right or wrong way to tell people that you’re transgender. But here are some tips that can help:

• Think about the most positive, supportive person in your life. It may be helpful to come out to them first.

• Think about how you would like to tell someone. You may want to talk to them in person. But if that seems too difficult, you may choose to write an email or a letter instead.

• Have some helpful information available about being trans. Be ready to answer any questions a person may have. Or give them some information to read. This may help them to understand your situation a little better.

• Give people some time to accept your news. This is a lot of information for them to take in.

• Know that it may take some time for others to adjust to using your new name or pronouns. Be prepared that they may make some mistakes along the way.

Updating legal documents with your name and gender

You may also want to change your name or gender on official documents as part of your transition. Not all trans people can or want to do this. But it can be very helpful to have your official ID (identification) match your gender identity. This is especially true when you’re applying for a job or opening a bank account.

There are many legal documents that may be changed, such as:

• Credit cards

• Driver’s license

• Passport

• Social security card

• Bank accounts

• Paychecks

• Medical records

• Birth certificate

• Education records

• Leases or mortgages

It’s not always possible for trans people to change the documents they’d like to. The process can be complicated and expensive. It may take a long time. There may also be certain legal or medical requirements that you have to provide. These details vary by state in the U.S.

To learn more about how to update your state and federal IDs, visit the National Center for Transgender Equality ID Documents Center .

Your support system

Whatever transition decision you make, having a support system in place is key as a trans person. This can be especially helpful as you start to live more openly as your gender identity. It’s vital to have some people in your life whom you can trust and rely on, and with whom you feel safe.

Everyone’s support system looks a little different. It may include:

• Close friends or family members

• An LGBTQ group at your school or in your community

• An online LGBTQ support group

• A mental health provider

• Your primary healthcare provider

In the end, it doesn’t matter how big your support team is. What matters is that you have people who accept you and care about you. And people you can talk to about any problems or issues that may come up.