Yes I was like that when I was younger. I didn't realize people lied so much and I couldn't sniff out lies. Now I can.

Yes, I do. In fact it feels like lying to not be out. But I understand my spouse has issues too, so we compromise. Actually I am out to a few people, and the people I'm out to have been kind.

Thank you BeBrave. I did internalize a lot of transphobia growing up. Now I understand that the fear of us is just cultural... there have been many cultures that have respected us. But the shame of not being "normal" is hard to shake, and you can tell I not one to be normal in any other way... but this is still taken as a serious taboo.