I want to transition into a guy but I don’t know how my friends will react.

It’s honestly so okay to feel a bit different or unsure right now — that’s such a normal part of figuring yourself out. Just know that the people who truly care about you will want to support you and understand what you’re going through. And if someone doesn’t respond in the way you hoped, that’s more a reflection of where they’re at, not you. You deserve to be accepted as you are, and you don’t have to change yourself or meet anyone else’s expectations.

If you feel ready, talking to your close friends can be really nice, especially the ones you trust the most. But it’s also okay if you’re not quite there yet. Not everyone fully understands things like transitioning, sometimes just because they haven’t learned much about it — so their reaction might not always be what you expect, and that can be hard.

There’s absolutely no rush to tell anyone. You can take things at your own pace, in your own time, and that’s completely valid. Sometimes it can help to talk to people who already understand, like support groups or others in the community, first — just to build your confidence and feel more comfortable with those conversations.

There are some really supportive options around too. Qtopia here in Christchurch is honestly amazing — they offer peer support and you can talk with people who’ve had similar experiences, which can make things feel a lot less overwhelming. They can also help connect you with a gender-affirming GP if that’s something you’re thinking about, and guide you through everything in a way that feels right for you.

If face-to-face feels a bit much, you could always call OUTLINE (0800 OUTLINE) and chat to someone that way. And also, don’t forget we have support at school too — like the psychologists — who are there to listen and help you through this.

You’re not alone in this, even if it feels like it sometimes. There are people who care about you and want to support you every step of the way.