Reply To: why does this feel so embarrassing?

[Sharon]

I feel exactly the same.  I have kept my name as it not gender specific (not the one I use on here).

I feel embarrassed to ask people to use different pronouns, unless someone asks, although the pronouns associated with my birth sex do sting.

I have come out to people close to me, then my friends and colleagues, and they have all been great.  I have had no bad reaction yet, but I have yet to tell my elderly parents. I need to feel comfortable with myself first.  I am lucky to have a wife, son, and a network of friends and colleagues that love and support me, so it gets better over time.