Jean, United Kingdom (he/it)

“I've never felt more myself."

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

I was around 12/13. I knew trans people existed, but I was only really aware of trans women. I had a few family friends that were trans women, but as they'd been around my whole life I never really thought that deeply about stuff. I knew I wanted to be seen as a man, I just didn't really know how to explain it. It wasn't until a friend talked to me about her trans brother that it clicked that trans men existed too. I may have been (and admittedly still am) a bit of a dumbass.

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

My transition wasn't smooth. Despite having family friends that were trans, my parents were actively hostile to me after coming out. I was able to get a youth GiC referral through my GP who was thankfully supportive. I was referred to Leeds and had a few appointments. I eventually aged out and got a referral to another GIC, then I moved to Wales for university and it turned out that GIC wouldn't see me under NHS Wales. I eventually got referred to CX, then after a long wait I was finally able to start testosterone at 20, just before I turned 21.

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

I've never felt more myself. I'm 27 now, and there's nothing I'd change.

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

You'll be okay. I wish I'd advocated more for myself. I trusted a lot of what I was told by people that didn't have my best interests at heart regarding my transition.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I really hated beards as a kid, never would have guessed back then how much I'd like having one now.

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

Yes.