Ronnie, United Kingdom (he/him)

“For the first time in my life, I am happy.“

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

I had always viewed myself as a boy, it was a subconscious thing but I felt like I was in-between the gender binary. I thought that everyone felt that. I learned that I was transgender at 11 because that’s when I discovered what being transgender is. It wasn't surprising, considering how I felt my whole life. It felt freeing to finally have a label for it.

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

I first started to call myself non-binary when I was 11. I'm not actually non-binary, however, I thought that it would be easier on my family to not transition like a typical binary trans person. This wasn't me, so I gave up on this within a year and just started telling people that I'm transgender. I wasn't taken seriously until I was 13, which was when I started my transition.

I am in the full belief that if I didn't not transition at that age, then I would not currently be alive. The first real change was the hair when I was 12. This took a year of convincing my parents and of course (just like every other trans man's first haircut), it looked bad. Of course, not being taken seriously until 12 was a contributing factor. If you're a newly out trans man reading this, just go to a Barber, skip the feminine bob most of us get at the hairdresser.

The second change was with my parents’ friends and school at 13. I chose my name after a rapper I liked at the time. My friends didn't take my transition seriously either, but when they heard that I had changed my name in the school system, they understood that I was serious. The first month after I made this change was probably the most liberating time of my life.

I also started vocal training young, when I was 12 or so. I've honestly forgotten what my voice originally sounds like.

At 13 I was put on the Tavistock waiting list. I got to the top of this waiting list at 16, got diagnosed with gender dysphoria at 17 then was discharged and put on the adult waiting list for HRT. I'm now 18 and have been told that my Tavistock diagnosis will be disregarded by the GIC I'm currently seeing.

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

My life: of course. For the first time in my life, I am happy. My body: no changes have been made for me to feel happy about.

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

I would tell my younger self to demand more from the adults around me, I didnt need to be dismissed for so long. To set boundaries and not focus so much energy trying to make other people comfortable.

Do you have a favorite/funny transition moment?

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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.