Nathaniel |
Sasha |
Age: 22
Nathaniel* has been transitioning from female to male for the past seven years. His transitioning process so far has included a mastectomy, hormone therapy, and tattoos. The following quotes give a snapshot of Nathaniel's transitioning process thus far. |
Age: 28
Sasha* has been transitioning from male to female for 11 years. Her transitioning process so far has involved hormone therapy, breast implantation, genital reconstructive surgery, facial feminization surgery, and chondrolaryngoplasty. Quotes from our interview with her highlight aspects of her transitioning process: |
After his mastectomy, Nate discloses how he could confidently identify with the male gender:
"I am 3 months post-op of my mastectomy. For the first time in my life I can look in the mirror and actually connect with the person looking back at me." Nate discloses how he initially sought very visible alterations to his body in order to attain the social recognition he desired:
"When I first started transitioning I wanted to get tattoo sleeves because I thought it would make me look less feminine." Nathaniel reveals where he currently is in his transitioning process when saying:
"I don't feel totally complete yet 'cause I see some people get confused still. My voice isn't that low yet and I wanna gain more muscle." |
Sasha articulates how the feminine ideals that media popularized shaped her desire to surgically alter her body:
"As a little kid I always wanted to be like the models I saw on TV, and I knew I had to change everything about my appearance to do that." "I got my breasts first...because who's gonna think you're a guy if you have breasts? She also unveils her motivations to seek out facial feminization surgery:
"In high school I felt that my face was too boxy, and no matter how much make-up I slapped on, I never could fully see myself as female. Despite receiving multiple interventions and therapeutics, Sasha believes she still has work to do:
"I definitely still have work to do. Ideally I would want a nose job since mine seems too bulky for my new slim face." |