Trans adults share childhood stories to prove you don’t grow out of being trans

In the wake of a controversial U.K. report recommending extreme limitations on gender-affirming care for trans youth, trans adults on X are sharing their stories of how receiving this care as children saved their lives.

Trans health care in the U.K. hangs in the balance in the wake of the recent release of the Cass Review, a 400-page review of oft-cited research on gender-affirming care for minors commissioned by the U.K. National Health Service (NHS). The review concluded that there’s little reliable evidence showing positive outcomes from such care, but outraged trans activists say it excluded hundreds of studies showing such outcomes.

Related:

Marjorie Taylor Greene calls gender-affirming mom “evil” while promoting anti-trans bill

Greene reposted a right-wing article rife with misinformation to support her cause.

Trans rights advocates worry the Cass Review will give conservative political leaders a pretext for ending gender-affirming care for minors and younger adults. Indeed, the review urged “extreme caution” before giving minors puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy and championed the use of psychological therapy instead. The review also said that “life-changing” decisions on gender-affirming care should be put off until adulthood since the brain continues maturing into age 26.

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As debates about the merits of the report began to dominate social media, one X user noted, “You know who’s voices are notably absent from discussions around the Cass report and treatment of trans kids in general? Those of us who started transitioning as minors and are now happily trans adults. I wonder if we can get #IWasATransChild trending?”

And users responded to this call. Some shared stories of the challenges they faced as trans children with no support, and others shared how gender-affirming care saved their lives and helped them become happy, healthy adults. But the resounding message was clear: Trans children overwhelmingly become trans adults who have always been confident in who they are and who never needed a waiting period to confirm their identity.

Here are a few of their stories:

#IWasATransChild I came out aged 14 and socially transitioned with a lack of support from any adults in my life. I don't regret it, even with how difficult it was. At 16, I changed my name and did all but one of my GCSEs as Riley. Transitioning has and continues to help me.

— riley♡~ (@MIDNIGHTMUNSON) April 13, 2024

I knew really early on I envied the girls around me and that i wasn't like the boys around me. I knew for a long time and I clinged to feminine things. I knew this was different. I know how boys my age treated people like that. Whether I used the label or not #IWasATransChild https://t.co/kLrrKqhSjY

— Shoelace 🏳️‍⚧️ (@WarKitKat) April 13, 2024

I first properly questioned my gender at 14. Previously I felt 'wrong' and I didn't understand why. I came out at 16 and socially transitioned with very little support. At 19 I detransed because of the pressure and at 22 I came out as a trans man again. 24 now. #IWasATransChild https://t.co/pblEdBbjeE

— Toby (@TobyJPick) April 13, 2024

#IWasATransChild https://t.co/SSVqgHM8n2 pic.twitter.com/9ptYknODl5

— VtheVictorious – certified RRRposter 🏳️‍⚧️🍉 (@VtheVictorious) April 13, 2024

The Cass report dismisses the decades of happy adult life we've spent as living proof of successful outcomes for the administration of Puberty Blockers in young transitioners. We were anything but 'let down' by this service. #IWasATransChild #ListenToTransKids https://t.co/YJUPZkGnMl

— Theresa Verity (@theresaverity) April 15, 2024

I also don't have any medical issues from taking testosterone, despite GCers insisting it "destroys your body". (Yes I'm infertile but that was a choice I made and I'm very glad I did) #IWasATransChild

— Goth Disco Gnome Blocked Elon again (@MrCrystalMighty) April 13, 2024

I’m Trans & 62y/o started my transition in 1977 at 15.
I am rare because hardly anybody could survive the exhausting parameters of being stealth back then.

Photo of me in 1980 18 y/o
Video of me from this week#IWasATransChild #TransRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/fQDye8bUVD

— TransElder Mardi 🏳️‍⚧️ (@mardipantz) April 13, 2024

"I was a patient at GIDS in 98-2000 until being moved to adult services and #IWasATransChild and have loved my life after transition, I knew for most of my childhood but couldn't express it until I was 16 with how suppressed trans existence was then."

— Critical Cupcake 🌈 ♿ ⚛️ (@CriticalCupcake) April 13, 2024

At 32, I am an adult trans woman. But for the first 18 years of my life, #IWasATransChild.

— ValerieKaine (@TwoGiantFeet1) April 13, 2024

i couldnt be happier with how being on T has been going. the only "problem" i've had is thinning hair, but thats a personal preference and an experience that many other guys start to have, cis or not, and i would rather go bald than never transitioned.#IWasATransChild

— oliver/parsley 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 (@0live0llie) April 14, 2024

Well into my teens this persisted, I never outgrew it. I was miserable they went ignored for all these years. Growing out my hair was literally all I could even try to do. My girlfriend at the time was very lovely letting me try on clothes. Thank you again. #IWasATransChild

— Shoelace 🏳️‍⚧️ (@WarKitKat) April 13, 2024

As the Cass Report continues to cause controversy, trans youth in the U.K. are suffering and taking their own lives due to inaccessible gender-affirming care.

Transgender 15-year-old Jason Pulman recently took his own life after his country’s medical system told him he’d have to wait 26 months for his first gender-affirming care appointment. His passing is at least the third among trans teens in the U.K. who were recently denied similar care.