Miguel, Brazil (he/him)

“I couldn't picture myself in a future as a woman."

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

I have a friend that came out as trans before me, and I was a little taken aback because we were very similar, we always talked how we probably would be more happy if we were a man, but unfortunately this couldn't happen. Then I started questioning if this was a possibility for me too, and started research about trans people. I was like 15 at the time, but just really came out as trans almost a year after this. In the beginning I thought I just didn't care about my gender, but in reality I just wanted so much been born a man.

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

At first I didn't cut my hair because it was really cute (I had a mid curly hair, I miss those curls everyday...) but because of an error of the lady cutting my hair I just end up with a fade for damage control. It was pretty nice too, I felt really good. I binded even before I came out, I changed my name socially, came out to my friends and to my siblings, and now I am starting T soon.

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

Yeah, definitely. It really saved my life, I couldn't picture myself in a future as a woman, it was just not me, even liking most feminine things.

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

I don't really know... I feel like I'm still my young self, I have so much to learn yet. I wouldn't do anything differently because I feel like even in my mistakes I was learning something, I have always be the most me I could be, and I'm proud of myself for that.

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.