“We are strongest as a community”

I love being non-binary, it’s who I am. I didn’t know trans people existed until the middle of my teens. I would sneak online at night to read about hormone treatments and surgeries. I tried to imagine what I could look like. But something in their stories didn’t quite match up with me. I found a small group talking about being non-binary, how it didn’t have a certain look and how I could be whoever I wanted. I started to experiment with how I looked, what pronouns I used and to gain confidence.

I came out at 19 and it caused a huge rift at home. I was homeless and trying to navigate the Gender Identity Clinic. They did not recognise non-binary people. I struggled with depression and anxiety, and an eating disorder. I would obsessively check my body to see if it was masculine enough.

I was rejected for hormone replacement therapy. This was because my career goal to be a veterinary nurse was seen as too feminine. It’s taken me a long time to fully accept who I am. Exploring how gender roles are forced on us changed my career aspirations.

I got involved with young trans people’s projects. I started to dress how I wanted and correct people using the wrong pronouns. I stopped apologising for who I am. Being a trans person in the current climate is tough; it can feel like the world is against us.

I try to be visible with my identity because I never want anybody to feel as alone as I did when I was younger, and because I’m so immensely proud of who I am.

I hope sharing my story will encourage others to know they don’t have to compromise themselves at work. We are strongest as a community.