“The tattoo means strong, because I have to be. I started my transition at 30 years of age. Five and a half years of weekly injections, two surgeries, and I now finally feel comfortable in my body. I can’t imagine it was ever any other way.” - Alex S., 2014

“I live in a world that is harsh and unaccepting to the lifestyle and religion I find myself in. Many people hate and despise what they do not understand. Lack of knowledge is the root of all the major issues in our world today: that and pure ignorance. I don’t like drama nor will I stand for it. I classify myself as a grown man. I can clearly say I feel 100% more comfortable as a man within my skin. I’ve always felt trapped in this body of mine and have been screaming to let the real me out. Now that I can finally take my own life into my own hands, I am doing what makes me happy, regardless of the complications and circumstances that may come. ” - Antoyneo, 2014

“I started HRT (hormone replacement therapy) on February 3, 2013. I purposely chose the date to be exactly one month before my birthday to make it easier to remember. I was a little doubtful that I’d see many changes because I already had an androgynous appearance from the beginning. I could even grow a visible mustache! However, as the months flew by, I started to see my body finally... change, mature, and fit the man residing inside of it. My confidence spiked and I found myself talking more since I actually liked the way my voice sounded. I started exercising more intensely to get in the best shape possible to prepare for top surgery (which I hope to obtain in the near future). Now I am currently raising funds for surgery by selling my artwork and I am also in the process of having my name legally changed.The road has not been easy and there have been many moments in the past when I considered turning back. I lost my whole family and many people who I thought would be supportive with my transition. Now, when I see how happy I am and where I am with the people I’m with, I can’t help but only continue moving forward. I’ve worked too hard to get to this point and turn back now.” - Isaac, 2014

“I spent the first 30 years of my life not wanting to be here and unable to imagine growing old. Now I have another chance at life. There is so much living to do, I almost don’t want to sleep. No matter how joyful or painful, beautiful or challenging, every day is a gift.” - Joshua, 2014

“ Transition…Transform…Transpire…Translate…Transcend…I am in continuous and fluid motion embodying transition, translation, transformation, and transcendence. I am intuiting, interpreting, inventing, and ​​​​​​​re-inventing the past, the present, and the future. As an indigenous individual of transition and transformation, culture is in translation, transcendence of mind, body, and spirit.” - Laurie, 2014

“I’ve always seen myself as a tomato. A tomato because it’s an in-between: it’s not exactly a fruit, not exactly a vegetable. Far from me to say that I’m a vegetable, but rather the best of both worlds. For a long time, I saw my difference as a burden that I would carry all my life, until the day I understood that I was in possession of a special power. The power to transform what I thought was my biggest weakness, into my biggest strength.” - Zach, 2014

“I am Zion Hasani Rogers, born and raised in the heart of San Francisco. My transition has allowed me to feel ONE in my own skin. I was asked to write a few words about my transition process. You’d think that would be simple considering it’s commanded such a significant portion of my attention for more than ten years of my life. Still, I find it difficult to articulate a process that to an outsider probably looks like a complete physical, medical, and social upheaval of everything I’ve ever been. My mother tells me she is frustrated because I “want to become a different person,” my friends have struggled to accept the “new me,” I’ve been congratulated for my courage and for changing everything “visible” about my life. I don’t think that any of those things reflect my journey.” - Zion, 2014