Avy, United Kingdom (Scotland) (he/him)

“People like you and me exist everywhere. Maybe not openly where we call home right now, but we're everywhere."

Was there a definitive moment you realized you were trans? How old were you?

I think looking back it was the 10th doctor when I was 8/9. My mother always thought I had a crush on him but deep down I wanted to be him. All I could say was that I liked his shoes. BUT if I was to refer to what properly kicked off my transition now I always jokingly blame my best friend and the Netflix show "How to Build a Sex Room". We were hanging out and watching it (way more engaged than we expected) when there was a client drag king with top surgery. My friend asked me (a masc lesbian at the time) if I had ever thought about it and it never left my mind until I got Gender therapy and thankfully last year, top surgery myself. :,)

How soon after did you start to make changes? What were these changes?

I got my first binder SNEAKILY as a teenager for cosplay. I wore it home alone when in my own kinda world. When I left I stopped for a few years thinking it was a phase...until I fully realised it wasn't.

Have these changes started to make you feel more comfortable in your life and body?

More than I could I have ever thought. Sure! The idea of doing it scared me to begin with, it is a massive life change but I've never felt more at home in my body than I do right now. I have bad dysphoria days but compared to before? Night and day.

What would you tell your younger self? Would you do anything differently?

People like you and me exist everywhere. Maybe not openly where we call home right now, but we're everywhere.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

To other transmasc/men: We are not alone. There are people all around this beautiful world of ours that want to see you thrive and be your friend. You are a light in this world and don't let the darkness inside others take that away from you.

Have the gender-affirming steps you’ve taken impacted your overall happiness and sense of well-being?

Yes.