It’s hard to have all your formative relationships shaped by that cult. Just wait until you find out what it feels like to be loved unconditionally. Accepted unconditionally. It’s better.

Your story is just as moving as the others you read here that you admire. I admire you. I didn’t have the bravery to accept I was trans at 22 or to go out and get a bf.

Give yourself some credit. You’re trans in a bigoted cult. That’s hard af.

I have some actual good news for you: you’re 22. You have time to figure your stuff out, build a new life of accepting and loving friends. It gets WAY BETTER. I’m not saying it’s easy - it’s not - but you can make it.