I am Reid Caelum, a 24-year-old transgender man. For years, I explored my gender identity, searching deeply to understand who I am. My thoughts were consumed with my gender, and I tried different words to describe it. This is the story of my transgender man journey.
Questioning My Gender Identity
At 18, I first began to question whether I was cisgender. Before that, I had always known I was different from others, but I didn’t know why. At the beginning of my senior year of high school, I started to suspect that my feelings might connect to the LGBTQ+ community.
A simple Google search led me to an article listing queer terms and definitions. By the end of the day, I described myself as gender fluid. Though I hated my body, I didn’t yet know how to navigate transition.
Exploring Transition Options
During my final year of high school, I researched transition extensively. I learned about top surgery, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and bottom surgery. The idea of being seen as a man and having a male body was thrilling yet terrifying.
I experimented with my appearance: adopting a more masculine haircut, wearing different clothing, and constantly researching transgender terms. First, I used gender fluid, then genderqueer, to give myself space to explore and grow.
Discovering My True Identity
Over time, I realized that finding the right label was less important than understanding the steps I wanted to take in transition. Social transition alone wouldn’t relieve all my dysphoria. I struggled most with chest dysphoria and the femininity of my body.
Starting HRT could also help with my voice, body hair, and overall masculine appearance. By late 2018, I described myself as nonbinary and transmasculine, leaning mostly male. I had saved enough for top surgery, but I wasn’t yet ready mentally.
Fully Embracing My Transgender Identity
Eventually, I embraced being a transgender man. I realized that femininity didn’t disqualify me from being a man. By the end of 2019, I started using the name Reid and he/him pronouns with close family.
The next steps involved coming out, binding, updating my wardrobe, and preparing for medical transition. By early 2020, I had my first therapy appointment and began the process for top surgery.
Transitioning Medically
In March 2020, I had my top surgery and began testosterone therapy. My body finally aligned more with how I felt internally. Transitioning medically was life-changing and crucial to my transgender man journey.
Life After Transition and Starting a Family
In June 2020, I met the other parent of my kids. By 2021, we moved in together. I paused HRT to carry our child, putting my transition temporarily on hold. Despite these adjustments, I continued to embrace my identity as a proud trans man.
Continuing My Journey
My journey as a transgender man has been challenging, rewarding, and full of self-discovery. I hope my story inspires others in the LGBTQ+ community to explore their true selves.
If you want to learn more about my experiences with top surgery, HRT, and pregnancy, check out my other articles.
Thank you for joining me on my transgender man journey!
