It’s not easy to know how to react when a close friend or family member comes out as transgender.

But being transgender is not something someone should have to hide.

“You can embrace who you are without having to worry about the judgment of others,” said junior Kip Carter, a trans student. “All that matters at the end of the day is that you accept yourself, and that is the most important thing you can do.”

Being transgender means — to put it simply —  to transition from one gender to another. 

And while DHS announced transgender awareness week in November on the TVs in the commons and students were encouraged to wear shirts featuring the colors of the trans flag, trans students may feel embarrassed to express their feelings with others.

“(I) did not accept myself at all,” said freshman Mari Reitmayer, who came out as trans in 2020. “I genuinely just thought I was faking it because my sister is also trans, and that’s how I kind of figured it out.”

Senior Charli Campbell, a trans student, added: “I definitely felt a disconnect with myself in my body, but I had internalized so much of that transphobia that I refused to even consider (transitioning) as an option.”

Every transgender student has a different experience. Many focus on transitioning socially rather than physically, while others eagerly anticipate starting hormones.

Starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a big decision, as it will bring about physical and mental changes to the body — some of which are irreversible. 

For others with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, HRT can save lives.

“I’m going to be probably (starting estrogen) sometime this month,” said sophomore Katelyn Simpson, a trans student. “Very relieved I feel would be a good way to describe it.”

No matter how big of a support group someone has, being transgender is a long journey.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a guy but everyone else is expecting you to have long hair and wear skirts and dresses,” Campbell said. “And it doesn’t matter if you’re a girl and everyone else is expecting you to have short hair or try out for the football team and do traditionally masculine things.

“As long as you know who you are, you’re fine.”