A Modern Trans Story

Since its inception, our society has prioritized harmful gender stereotypes that restrict individuals to a binary. From clothing choices to body hair, trans people have struggled to fit into this binary for centuries. While the transgender community has recently seen broader inclusion and representation, plenty of work remains. 

A Modern Trans Story depicts the rollercoaster of emotions I experience as I explore my identity. I wear the wig in every other image to represent the hyper-feminine attributes I use to affirm my gender identity. However, others still see me as masculine even when I try my hardest. The images without the wig show how others' opinions impact my mental health. In spaces dominated by cisgender people, I struggle to stand up for myself, feeling isolated and alone. The knives reflect the mask I use to hide these feelings of alienation and self-doubt. 

Every day, cisgender people make ignorant and damaging assumptions about individuals from the transgender community. I want to change these assumptions by showing the complexities of my gender exploration. Hopefully, by learning about the intricacies of the transgender experience, people will accept broader definitions of sex, gender, and "the binary."