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Trans man + Proud

Trystan
(He/Him/His)
The first time I ever imagined having a future as a transgender man was actually the first moment I witnessed my mother imagining that future for me. She had really struggled with my coming outshe was convinced that I was making a choice that would prevent me from having a future at all. Then she came to visit me while I was in performing arts school. I had transitioned while in school and was living as a man for the first time in my life. Everyone in the school community knew and respected my identity as both trans and a man. I was performing in Beauty and the Beast and my mother was in the audience. After we took our final bows and changed into our street clothes my peers and teachers and I (all of whom were in the show) poured out of the stage doors. We were riding the adrenaline high of completing a successful performance and were all giddy with excitement. I saw my mom in the crowd and quickly introduced her to my school community. Other students and our instructors all gushed to my mom telling them what a great performer and man I was. We all love having him in class, one of my teachers told her. "You must be so proud." I've asked her about this moment and she doesn't remember it. But I saw a profound shift in her eyes right then. It was like she could finally see a future for me that wasn't isolated or dangerousit was bold and bright and full of love and happiness and community. I've worked so hard to live up to that future she saw in that moment and I think I've succeeded.
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Character drawings by Joey Borrelli.
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