I had to leave the state I grew up in to get into a place I could access medical care, get away from an unaccepting family, and get into a place I wasn't afraid of being attacked while transitioning (being visibly trans till HRT kicked in).
Trans panic was seen as more of a valid defence back then for killing trans people.
I think we were seen as more of a curiosity/fetish than people, but that's debatable since that's definitely still an issue.
People were more afraid of being visibly trans and finding community outside of forums was harder.
I was certain I'd lose my job when I inevitably had to come out and had prepared for it by saving up enough to get me through finding another job. I was amazed when that didn't happen and most of the company accepted me. I still had to deal with harassment that nowadays would probably get those people fired.
During hostile attention:
I had to leave my home due to the state no longer ignoring us and focusing on passing laws to make our lives more difficult.
I know a ton of trans people and have a stronger support network. Finding others is easier now.
Medical care is easier to get now if you aren't living in one of the states currently trying to ban HRT.
Parents seem a little more accepting but it's still divisive
I'm less afraid of the average person fucking with me in most areas of the US
I'm afraid of government attempts to round myself or loved ones up into camps within the next few years.
Generally, I prefer the visibility and broader social acceptance we have now. More people know about us, so more people hate us but way more people accept us. I see it as how being gay was in the aughts. More people were out and it was less of a big deal even though there was still a lot of hate crimes against gay people. Now it's way more accepted outside of ultra conservative areas. I'm hoping we are more accepted within a decade instead of being rounded up and killed en masse.
During hostile ignorance:
During hostile attention:
Generally, I prefer the visibility and broader social acceptance we have now. More people know about us, so more people hate us but way more people accept us. I see it as how being gay was in the aughts. More people were out and it was less of a big deal even though there was still a lot of hate crimes against gay people. Now it's way more accepted outside of ultra conservative areas. I'm hoping we are more accepted within a decade instead of being rounded up and killed en masse.