I had contact with a young transman through my work today. Lovely person but genuinely felt like crying when talking to them. My own daughter has preferred short hair and traditionally boyish clothes since she was 8. Talked about changing name/ wanting to be a boy etc and it's been challenging at times to not give in and go the trans route (school and medical professionals seem to prompt transition, in my experience). Always said I'm happy she can look/dress as she pleases, took her to the barbers for years, always had open dialogue. Now 13 (and diagnosed with autism) and suddenly she's growing her hair, wearing a bra, wearing nail varnish and talking about relationships and kids. Still wears comfy clothes, but is much happier with her changing body. After years of strangers assuming she was a boy (I didn't correct them unless medical/school, at her request), people have stopped calling her 'buddy'!
So it is obviously a personal reaction to this transman, but they had obvious signs of autism (obvious to a mum of an autistic girl), and was obviously taking testosterone due to the voice changes. My mind kept thinking about the permanence of that, and the constant need to try to be something they're not. I won't see them again, but it's really impacted on me today and I'm struggling with my emotions about it. I'm just feeling sad about it all and hoping the Cass report will help future girls, but this one is sticking in my mind. 🙁