This is why you shouldn’t be asking the question “does this count as trauma,” because it obscures the real question, “am I deserving of compassion,” the answer for which is yes. Once you acknowledge you’re deserving of compassion, then you can look back at the things you’ve experienced and how they have shaped you for better or for worse. It’s at this time you’re likely to identify the things you were questioning if counted as trauma, but you no longer need them to fit in that box so cleanly, and you’ll be better able to clearly see how you’ve been impacted, regardless of the word you use.

Remember, you still have to take responsibility for your actions no matter what, but the burden is easier to carry once you give yourself compassion.

Sorry if this is obvious and it’s not super tranny related but these are frameworks of thinking that have helped me a lot. I think this wraps up everything I wanted to say.