[Samantha Rogers]

Flame...I fear I have not been clear. Growing breasts comes from altering hormones. This is just fact. So if one is growing breasts then by the aforementioned definition, which is fairly well accepted among the broad community, one HAS begun transition. As I said, it isnt a question of whether or not people taking herbs are in "transition" (they are) it is rather a question of how far they will go. Many people begin altering hormonal balace (transition) and never go further, simply finding a place of comfort with that stage of transition and remaining there. Others go further. But regardless, once you start changing your hormones, like it or not, you ARE in transition. This is not opinion, but simple definition. The word "transition" is used to denote a process rather than a destination. So referring to NBE as a "partial transition" is, semantically, mixing apples and oranges in terms of definition.
Suppose you substitute the phrase "process of change" for the word "transition".
Then we have the idea that onc someone begins altering hormones they have begun a process of change. Far more acceptable I am sure to those who squirm at the idea that they are tinkering with transexuality by taking herbs. But in essence the meaning is the same.
Personally, I just prefer to keep calling a pig a pig.