@Heiress_Aries And that is my thinking regarding his reactions—unfortunatrly, it isn't made perfectly clear, and depending upon how the author intends to plotvtge story, namely (ANTI-LGBTQ+ or where the protagonist is rejected by a character who is flawed, hasn't been exposed to these sorts of situations, etc.). It's rather complex and I genuinely appreciate the ambiguity in some ways as it leaves open different outcomes. I could see him coming to accept difference as meaningful, though it would be useful to then demonstrate that he's "learning" to be more accepting. Namely, have him "struggle" and then come to accept her as a "man", only then to discover—thanks, but if you'd have let me finish, I was a "woman" in the past. Assuming it even matters. In a way, I'd almost like her to keep it a secret or not feel that gender even matters (though, to
many, it does).
As for him accepting her based upon his past—just because one has been through trauma doesn't mean that they have learned from it. There is more involved. Someone can have extensive trauma and have it make them worse, whereas others can be improved by it. There are outside developmental factors that often depend upon the experiences humanity/life provides to people (amongst other factors) that teach people/provide opportunities for spontaneous learning about love and acceptance, and help them learn from their trauma. Without that, you can get Bigger-Bads and all! 😅😂👌🏽