I was nonbinary for many years. It was the word that best described my sense of being—a word to let the world know, "I'm not what you might think, but I'm me." Being nonbinary gave me language and folks, yet still, on a deep level, there was this sense of disconnection between the way I lived and the way I was. Without access to gender-affirming care, transition was something that "other people" did. I thought it couldn't be for me.
Living Without Access
I did what so many queer people do during this period: I tried to reconcile with what was. I presented in safer ways. I experimented with different pronouns. I found allies in friends. But my body, and how it was understood, still felt like a daily negotiation with the world. It was exhausting.
Access Changes Everything
It all turned around when I was at last able to see gender-affirming care. For the first time, I could picture a future in which what was real inside me and my life on the outside could overlap. The appointments, the conversations with physicians, the meds, the check-ins—it all had the quality of doors opening that I hadn't even realized were shut.
What surprised me most was not the physical, but the emotional. My anxiety decreased. My sense of belonging increased. My relationships deepened. I started to show up more fully at work, in community, and in life. It wasn't magic—but it was life-altering.
Why This Matters
Gender-affirming care isn't just medicine or bureaucracy. It's about safety, dignity, and being able to be yourself. My transition from being nonbinary to beginning the process as a transgender individual happened because care was made possible. Without it, I might still be stuck in a shadow of myself.
At Inclusive Therapy Group, we see every day the impact access—access to mental health care, to accepting providers, to community—has in assisting individuals to thrive. Whether you're questioning, nonbinary, transgender, or somewhere in between the gender spectrum, your identity is important. And you should have support available to you.
Moving Forward
Sharing my own story is one way I try to make the process easier for another person. If you're reading this and wondering if gender-affirming care could be an option for you, know that you don't have to go it alone. There are providers, therapists, and community members who would like to come with you, even if the system appears confusing and hard to navigate.
Your Journey Matters – We’re Here to Help
If you’re exploring your own gender journey or seeking affirming mental health care, Inclusive Therapy Group is here to support you. Our team of LGBTQIA+-affirming providers understands the complexities of gender identity and the power of having someone in your corner.
Book a free consultation today: https://inclusivetherapygroup.janeapp.com/
Learn more about our therapists: https://inclusivetherapygroup.com/pages/about
You deserve care that sees and affirms you—let’s take that next step together.
https://inclusivetherapygroup.com/blog/being-nonbinary-transgender
