Andy, United States (he/him)
“It wasn't until I found about trans people on the internet back in the late 90s, that I learned that trans men even existed."
Was there a definitive moment you realized you were trans? How old were you?
This is kind of a hard question. When I was 12 or 13, I blurted out to my friends that if they ever saw a guy walking down the street that looked like me, it is me. This is before I ever knew what transgender was, early to mid 80s. I finally figured I was trans when I was in my late 20s when I was surfing the web and I learned that people could take hormones and have surgery to 'become' their preferred gender. I didn't actually come out until I was in my early 30s.
How soon after did you start to make changes? What were these changes?
I started socially transitioning when I was 46 years old, then started testosterone when I was 47. It pretty much started with people using my preferred name and pronouns, and also wearing a binder.
Have these changes started to make you feel more comfortable in your life and body?
These changes have greatly improved my depression and overall feeling of comfort. I still have pretty significant dysphoria from my chest.
What would you tell your younger self? Would you do anything differently?
I would tell my younger self that I can do it. Follow through with those thoughts and take that leap. If I could go back, I would've started to transition in my early 30s.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Growing up in the 70s and 80s feels so far away. Trans people, especially trans women, were demonized by the media and were targeted for hate crimes. It wasn't until I found about trans people on the internet back in the late 90s, that I learned that trans men even existed. I had heard about trans women, but never trans men. It really feels like the way the media portrays trans people now is reminiscent of the 70s and 80s again, which is terrible.
Have the gender-affirming steps you’ve taken impacted your overall happiness and sense of well-being?
Yes.