Joe, United States

"I remember being super happy when people in public saw me as a boy."

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

Around 1st grade I refused to wear “girl” clothes. I remember being super happy when people in public saw me as a boy. It wasn’t until I was much older that a realized that this was clearly trans coded.

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

I didn’t come out until 30, when and had top surgery and went on hormones within a year

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

Yes.

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

I would gently push myself away from the decade of “butch identify” and ask myself to examine the reasons for my slightly terfy ideals.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

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

Yes.