A few months ago, if you had told me Iâd be sitting down for an interview to publicly share my detransition story, I probably would have laughed it off. Not because I didnât have anything to sayâI have plenty to sayâbut because the idea of putting myself out there in such a raw and vulnerable way felt overwhelming. đ° Itâs one thing to write about my experiences on my own terms, but speaking them out loud, knowing theyâd be captured on video for the world to see, was a whole different level of exposure.
Still, when Cat Cattinson reached out for an interview with the Transition Justice Project, I knew I couldnât turn it down. The work theyâre doing is incredibly important, and I wanted to contribute however I could. But saying yes didnât make the nerves go away.
đ¨ Facing the Fear
As the interview date approached, I found myself caught between excitement and anxiety. What if I stumbled over my words? What if I didnât say things the ârightâ way? What if I came across as unsure or unconvincing? More than anything, I worried about being judged. Sharing my detransition story means opening myself up to criticism from multiple anglesâsome people donât want to hear the hard truths about gender medicine, and others just donât understand what itâs like to navigate this process firsthand.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that fear was the exact reason I needed to do the interview. đĄ If I let fear silence me, Iâd be giving power to the same systems and mindsets that pushed me into transition in the first place.
đĽ The Interview Experience
When the day finally arrived, I took a deep breath and reminded myself why I was doing this. The moment the interview started, my nerves didnât magically disappear, but I found comfort in the fact that I wasnât alone. Cat was a thoughtful and engaging interviewer, making it clear that she genuinely wanted to understand my story and help me share it in an honest, impactful way.
We talked about my childhood, the struggles I faced growing up as a gender-nonconforming boy, and how my unresolved trauma played a role in my decision to transition. I shared my frustrations about how quickly I was affirmed and fast-tracked into medical transition, and the barriers Iâve faced while detransitioningâlegal, medical, and social. âď¸đĽ It wasnât always easy to say these things out loud, but as the conversation went on, I felt more and more at ease.
đŹ Why Speaking Out Matters
By the time we wrapped up, I felt something I hadnât expected: relief. I had faced one of my biggest fearsâpublicly speaking my truthâand I had survived. đ More than that, I had done something that could help others.
Thatâs the biggest takeaway from this experience. Speaking out isnât just about me. Itâs about the thousands of people out there who have been harmed by gender medicine and feel like they have no voice. đŁď¸ Itâs about the young, gender-nonconforming kids who deserve better than a one-size-fits-all approach to identity and mental health. Itâs about pushing for real accountability in a system that prioritizes affirmation over true, long-term well-being.
If my interview helps even one person feel less alone, or encourages someone to ask the hard questions before making irreversible medical decisions, then it was worth every bit of fear and discomfort. â¤ď¸
â Whats Your Story?
I know firsthand how terrifying it can be to share your story, especially when it goes against the dominant narrative. But I also know how powerful it is. If youâre a detransitioner, or someone questioning your experience with gender medicine, your voice matters. Even if youâre not ready for a public interview, writing about your experience, connecting with others, or simply having honest conversations in your own circles can make a difference.
Courage isnât the absence of fearâitâs taking action despite it. đŞ And sometimes, the scariest things end up being the most meaningful.
Looking back, Iâm grateful I said yes to the interview. I plan to keep speaking out, and I hope others will, too.
If you havenât seen the interview yet, you can check it out here: đĽđ
Bravo!