When I was growing up, I knew of one trans person. That person was Brandon Teena, and he was killed two years before I was born. I knew of him not as a person, but as a cautionary tale, the message of which was clear: some things are too dangerous to let yourself become.
I knew I was weird. I know something felt off about myself. But I also knew better than to dig into that at all.
The first trans person I knew personally, I met in college. I had returned from studying abroad the previous fall semester to a new freshman class of queer kids nearly more than the size of our average LGBTQ+ student group meeting each week. Though they were all a few years younger than me, I learned more from them about gender (including the many ways in which our school and society at large did not support their transness), kindness, and myself than I could ever thank them for.
I'd soon step into an entire community of trans people when I moved to DC, from folks at DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS!) meetups to friendly regulars at our local queer bar. Getting to know each and every trans person I've met has been such a unique and powerful blessing, and I really wish I could have met some of the awesome folks I know now much earlier in life. Hence, The Trans Guide.
Hearing trans stories in their entirety, not just the sometimes painful realities of living in an inherently transphobic/homophobic/racist/sexist/ableist/xenophobic/what-have-you society, is vital to bringing light into the darkest, most anti-trans corners of the country. The feeling that comes from knowing yourself, expressing yourself, and loving your whole self is an unparalleled joy and, I believe, a human right. The hope that keeps me going is that one day, more people might shake off the burden of transphobia, gender roles, toxic masculinity, and sexism and let themselves be themselves while celebrating others for doing the same.
I'm deeply indebted to every person who has shared their story with me, and now, with you. It's an honor to pass each of them the mic and let them tell their own stories, in their own words, in their own time. I invite you to read these stories, sit with the ups and downs each narrator shares, and bring their wisdom into your own life. If you're trans, I hope you find some sense of connection with the broader trans community around you. If you're cis, I hope you gain a deeper insight into the tangible ways in which you can help alleviate the oppression trans folks experience on a daily basis. If you're not sure which of those categories you fit into yet, I hope this growing resource provides some helpful tools for your journey.
