better word than "transition"

[sebastian-bound.livejournal.com]

I really hate using the word "transition" for what I'm going through. I don't feel that it describes what is actually happening. "Transition" implies a change, whereas, I feel like I've always been this person that I am. I think "transition" describes it from a cissexual's view, not mine.

I like "gender affirmation," as in , "I'm going through gender affirmation, and would like for you to start calling me [blank]."

But when I look up "gender affirmation" in google, I see that a group of homophobic, pray-the-gay-away "therapists" use it to describe some of their therapy. (See also this video.)

Did anyone else use something else besides transition to describe their journey?