London, United Kingdom:
The ideological “culture war” has included transgender identity, but Anna Drew, a 22-year-old American woman, only wants to become better understood, six years after she began her gender transition.
She hopes that by openly discussing how she came out, the hormones she uses, and the verbal and physical abuse she has experienced, it may help people on a similar journey.
About 1% of 16-24-year-olds in England and Wales report a gender other than the one assigned at birth, according to data from the Office for National Statistics that was released in January.
One such person is Anna, who resides north of London with her parents and has a twin brother who she refers to as “a real boy.”
Anna told AFP, “My name was Andrew when I was born.”
My new name is Anna Drew, I’m sorry. It’s part of my story, so I’m not ashamed of who I was. Many trans people I know say that “that person is dead now, that person doesn’t exist anymore.”
Andrew is still there deep inside, but it’s just not me.
Anna, who started out as a colorist, styles hair for the hairdresser during the day.
She dances in transgender clubs twice a week at night.
She asserts that “there are ordinary people in the world down there who just so happen to be transgender.”
People living a normal life could be your favorite teacher, your hairstylist, the person who works at the corner store, etc.
Wig and makeup
In the UK and the US, the debate over transgender identity has become more contentious, pitting traditional right-wingers against more politically liberal liberals.
In 2022, Scotland, which has a distinct legal system from England and Wales, proposed doing away with the requirement for a gender dysphoria clinical diagnosis in order to make gender reversal easier and quicker for people.
However, the UK government in London blocked the draft legislation by exercising a unique veto over the devolved administration.
In December, the Scottish Appeal Court declared London’s move to be legal.
When Anna first revealed her sexual orientation to her relatives, who work in marketing, she was 14 years old and attended a traditional Jewish school.
She would do her makeup and dress like a drag queen at events. She took off her makeup and hair when she got home.
She said, “Oh no, I don’t see myself now when I looked in the mirror.”
She came out as transgender at age 16, first with friends and then with her parents, who eventually accepted her move.
She said, “All of a sudden, I felt like myself.”
Yet, nobody from Anna’s community has attended the dances she performs in the venues where she works.
She dances for an audience that is almost entirely made up of men in their sixties who are not commonly used to LGBT+ nights. She has long hair, high heels, and an extra-short tight dress.
“Second puberty.”
Anna blends in with the audience during the day by wearing jeans, a crop top, and a leather jacket.
However, she claimed that she hears “misogynistic” comments about every day. She tries to laugh in response.
Last month, a man grabbed her hair, punched her in the face, and spat on her.
She says, “People who say something misogynistic– they’re never going to ruin my day.”
My vision was dark. My soul also suffered damage. I annoy them simply because I am here.
Anna began taking hormones three years ago and compares it to “going through puberty at age 22” by applying a gel to her body.
“My voice has slightly changed, my shoulders are wider, and my features are softer.” She claimed that it “redistributes the fats in your body.”
I’m becoming the person I want to be slowly.
After receiving no assistance from the state-funded National Health Service, Anna, who is trying to save money for breast implants, has her estrogen therapy prescribed and paid for by a private charity.
She remarked, “I was really lucky. I wouldn’t have even started to feel hormones by now if this charity had never responded to me.
The process of the transition is long.
It’s a very drawn-out process. I’ve now made a social transition. People call me by my name, she. I suppose that sometimes I overlook the significance of the legal aspect of it.
Her old name is still on her ID. She becomes Andrew once more when she travels, but only for the duration of the trip.
(This story has been published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by NDTV staff, except for the headline.)
