I've struggled a lot with labels and how much importance they have on my life. I've given them too much power over the years. Even within the transgender community, we still seem to be put under by heteronormative gender roles.
(Heternormative being the "heterosexual" standards. There's to be a man and a wife. The man must work, the woman must be a mother...basically 1940s/'50s America.)
When I thought I was a trans guy, I felt so much pressure to wear boys' clothes and "act" like a man, "sit" like a man and change my interests to fit the bill. When I realized I was much more fluid, I had one (of thousands)of breakdowns. I was absolutely terrified I'd lose all of my friends because I wasn't a trans guy.
Stupid looking back, right?
If they're really a friend, they shouldn't drop you because you're not a trans person. If you think that's a legitimate problem with one of your friendships, then that person is not your friend.
Well, anyways, lucky for me, my friends are very supportive and loving. No friends were lost over that reason. They continue to support me and all of my identity wanderings. I'm very fortunate.
Labels are still something I struggle with (and I need constant validation) but for the most part, I've grown a lot from where I was and I hope you do too.
Just remember that only you ultimately know who you are. How you present yourself and interpret labels is valid. There's not one say in what gender "should" look like.
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