Quentin, United States (he/him)

“I am much happier now despite a lot of political pushback against trans people in my country.“

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

I never really made the conscious realization that I was trans until I was 25. I did show signs from a young age. I just didn't have the language to fully understand what I felt, and I repressed it early on. What pushed me into realizing my transness was a sex ed class I took in college. We had to write papers about our gender identity, which broke through my repression.

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

I started making changes when I was 26. I cut my hair, changed my name, started using different pronouns, and began dressing more masculine. Nine months ago at 27, I started testosterone.

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

Yes! At 26 I began experiencing intense dysphoria that made it very difficult to function in daily life. I fully believe that transitioning saved my life. I am much happier now despite a lot of political pushback against trans people in my country right now, and my dysphoria is manageable.

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

I would tell my younger self that trans people exist. And that being transgender isn't a sin. If I accepted that I was trans earlier on, I would probably have changed my name and started testosterone earlier.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'd like to point out that transitioning isn't going to solve all of your problems. But in my case, it allowed me to finally be in touch with my true self. This helped me start to work through everything that I needed to deal with.

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

Yes.