I used to think I only had body dysphoria, but once I started coming to terms with maybe being non binary I started to feel more social dysphoria. Has this happened to anyone else? It feels terrible to introduce myself with she/her pronouns, especially in lgbtq+ spaces, and I want to cry every time someone assumes I'm a lesbian (cause look like a stereotypical lesbian), not because I dont like girls/ dont like the term but because I'm not a girl. I used to be able to call myself sapphic but now even that feels too gendered and feminine. How can I deal with this?
I think a lot of us suffer from social dysphoria rather than body dysphoria- and my cure is just to express myself the way I want to- that is truthful and consistent in that, and makes others comfortable after a bit. People will try to classify you in the most general way first, and either you go along or you say- actually- 'I'm a female man- I'm not a lesbian in the ordinary sense of the word' '-and what is there to do but accept it. "Refer to me as 'he' and you'll have it right!" is a good close.
I can kinda relate to ya, god knows how many times I've been asked if I was into boys or girls cuz I look pretty stereotypically androgynous (usually after I got to know them a bit thankfully though it still felt weird to be asked). I still have a hard time thinking about gender tbh because I'm conflicted on what exactly I should be feeling (Politically, I grew up in a conservative family, and I consider myself conservative with some liberal leanings). The best thing I can tell you though, is to identify however feels comfortable and to act comfortably (within reason of course, like, no lawbreaking if it can be avoided lol).
