This is has always been one of the more difficult questions to approach, seen as each and every single one of us are different, and so reactions to things like this will be just as unique.

Step 1 - Have faith in who you are, do not doubt yourself

Before we even get to telling family, it is essential that you realize how important it is to be true to yourself, and to live a life that is full, and complete. This has been the greatest lesson I have learned being transgendered. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF, have confidence in the fact that YOU KNOW YOU, and do not hide for fear, or because living a lie may seem a tad bit easier than living YOUR truth. Being transgendered is part of your experience in life, embrace this, and do not shun it, or fear it. This will give you the strength to deal with the next step.

Step 2 - Be prepared for the worst

My best advice for preparing yourself for "coming out" is to be completely aware of the intensity of what you are about to disclose to your loved ones. By doing this, you prepare yourself for their reactions, and anything that may come of "coming out" to them. While their response will be assorted from person to person, it is best to prepare for the worst, and expect a bad reaction. This way you are not thrown emotionally by the possible rejection you may experience.

Step 3 - Debunking your families views

If step 2 yields a negative response, and if given the opportunity, you should be prepared to explain in depth about your condition in what may be a futile attempt to normalize it in your families minds. Bad reactions are ALWAYS due to fear, and not hate. The fear that you will be targeted because of your condition, the fear that you will not look good as a woman, or man, and suffer rejection. The fear that you have lost your mind. The fear that they had some hand in this, and are at fault. Do your best to ease your families fears for you, by using fact. Scientific research into transgenderism has expanded in the past 10 years. Use sources like Wikipedia to learn how to approach the subject in a factual, and confident manner.

Step 4 - When relationships break down

If after all of your reasoning has failed, and you have suffered rejection, it is time to break loose, and find your own way, and PROVE TO THEM THAT YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING, and living YOUR TRUTH. I know the prospect of losing family is devastating for most, and I am very aware of the pain the comes from that kind of rejection. But time is everything, and it may just be, after the shock-effect dies down, and they begin to want to reason with the situation, that you will be able to convince them you are doing the right thing.

Step 5 - Know your strengths

After all is done, never forget that there are people in the world that understand, love, and accept you for who you are... Including me... and that you can draw strength from that, always.

Much Love, Lea