Ash’s Story

The 20-year-old, who described support from family and friends as amazing, first came out to himself at around 14 before coming out publicly at 15. 

Speaking about when he came out, Ash said: “It was a sense of relief because my family was so supportive. 

“Before I came out, I was really scared of what people would think and how people would react, but it was a really positive experience in the end.” 

While there were signs that Ash was trans as a child, he said he only realised after doing research online as a teenager. 

He said: “There was a show on BBC that I really found I was drawn to about a trans man. 

“When I was about 11 or 12, I used to make everyone watch it because I found it really interesting.  I didn't know at the time that I was actually trans.” 

After coming out, Ash got his first haircut at 15 before starting to take testosterone on his 16th birthday and undergoing top surgery around six months ago.  

Since coming out and starting his transition journey, Ash said he has found his confidence whereas before he was quite shy.  

Ash explained that the process of transitioning is unique to each person in terms of whether they choose to undergo hormone treatment or different types of surgery.  

He said: “Some people might have top surgery, bottom surgery, and hormones. For other people it could just be hormones. Some people are comfortable just with changing their haircuts.  

“It varies on however you're comfortable with yourself. If you're comfortable just having hormones or no hormones at all then that's how your transition should be for you.”