SASHA
MICHIGAN | SERIES 4
I have felt out of place my whole life, as if I was the pilot to my own body. Seeing myself in a mirror was like seeing someone else behind glass. I remember many times where I’ve been in public, and looked in the mirror, thinking it was someone else.
At first, I thought this happened because I hated how I looked, or how fat I was. As I grew, this little disconnect became a mile wide.
In 7th grade, I had fantasies of suddenly transforming into a woman, but I thought it was just me being weird. In 8th grade, I started questioning more and more. I had a long talk with a friend about how I felt, but still didn’t do much because I felt most comfortable doing nothing. Slowly, my egg started to crack. I teased the idea of me being trans to others, but my mental health started to suffer. I deeply desired being a woman, and it consumed my thoughts. The more I learned about myself, the more I longed for the female me. When I figured out my identity, I began my research; I realized that what I wished for was possible, and I had to obtain it.
It took a while, but I eventually came out to my mom, which was great… until she promptly had me come out to the rest of my family. I talked to her, and told her what I wanted to do. I wanted to transition, I wanted HRT, and for others to finally see the person I knew I was.
Over the next year, I started the process- feeling more and more confident in myself. Without support, I wouldn't be the same. Without love, I wouldn’t be the same.
I was lucky to have accepting parents, but not everyone is able to find that acceptance from others.
If my parents weren’t accepting, I still had friends to fall back on for support. Family is what you make it. If your house isn’t accepting, there is always another house. There is someone out there who loves you no matter what, and you can find them.
