SJ

I think it was actually when I was very young - before I felt too much pressure to conform to the expectations of my gender assigned at birth. I would watch my grandpa shave his face every morning when I was around 4 or 5 years old and I wanted so badly to shave my face too. He would sometimes even put shaving cream on my face. I think looking in the mirror and doing that with him, I could see myself as trans masculine. Even when I wasn't even aware of what that meant or was. I didn't understand or uncover my transness until much later on in my life, but so many moments from my childhood were portals to what the future held for me, I just didn't know it then.

Honestly, I think having social media and being able to follow trans masc folks and trans men for years before I even realized I was trans myself was revolutionary for me. Seeing that visibility and understanding the ways in which trans masc folks and trans men inhabit the world. Seeing them living their truth helped me see my future as a trans masc non-binary person. I also think the power of community in the trans community is remarkable. When we gather and get the opportunity to be in community with one another, we get start to see how our stories overlap and how through common experiences we are bonded. Local community groups or virtual identity specific groups have been so helpful for me in my transition.