> ...and the expectations placed on me when I lived as a boy felt stifling and exhausting I don't find that as extremely as you've given it here, but I do know

> ...and the expectations placed on me when I lived as a boy felt stifling and exhausting I don't find that as extremely as you've given it here, but I do know what you mean and I'm a bog-standard cis male. But I never fitted in, never understood the blokey stuff - or maybe I did, but blokes take their nature (which are different from women, no doubt) and then push it to extremes[0] (you like to go out? Great! We must drink whether you like it or not! Maybe you like footy? OK, let's get extreme and tribal about it! But that brightly coloured thing you're wearing makes you look like a poof by the way). I never fitted in and it can wear you down. As a straight guy I find the company of gays quite fine because they are more accepting. edit: [0] this seems more prevalent in younger males. As we age, we become less so and more thoughtful, and therefore tolerant.