Its not really about external acceptance. Being trans is partly about being accepted for who I am, but a large part is also wanting to see the real me in the mirror. If everyone just magically accepted me as a woman I would still transition because I want to actually be feminine. I would still transition if I was the last person on earth. Likewise with body mods. I want to be accepted for who I really am, but people can’t really do that if they aren’t seeing the real me, the me with extra jewelry holes and (eventual) ink. It would be a slap in the face and an invalidation of my feelings if people told me they accept me as I am so there’s no need to change the things I want to change about myself.