About two years in the past, I started photographing transgender and "gender-expansive" youngsters and younger adults in the US and Europe. I wished to ask this query: "Who're we past concepts tied to our gender?" The reply is essential not solely to the transgender neighborhood, I consider, however to everybody.
Within the youthful contributors, I've discovered self-assuredness and confidence; they're clear about who they're. Within the older youths — particularly the nonbinary ones who establish as each genders, or neither — I see a willingness to interrupt free from packing containers society places us into. In all of them, there's creativity and compassion for friends and strangers alike.
Beneath are some footage and temporary ideas that a couple of contributors have shared with me, condensed for readability and house.
Max, 13
Bay Space, California. Nonbinary.
"I requested my mother if I might textual content her one thing. I texted her that I'm drawn to boys and that I really feel extra woman than boy. Later that 12 months, I discovered the time period nonbinary. It simply felt proper. I nonetheless am typically petrified of the reactions of individuals after I inform them.
"As a trans one who has skilled hate, I would like folks to know that no one deserves to be hated. Everybody deserves love, no matter race, gender, sexuality."
Azaj, 17
Oakland, Calif. Transgender woman.
"It's actually totally different residing as myself. Earlier than, I felt like I used to be at all times attempting to squeeze into denims that had been six sizes too small, however now it appears like I'm in denims that had been made only for me. I now not get up hating myself or this world that doesn't perceive me.
"I wish to ensure the world doesn't take so long as it did to be open to homosexual and bi folks. I hope that I'm able to assist ladies like me, in order that they don't undergo what I did. I wish to slay the gods 100 instances over doing issues that trans ladies have by no means finished. I wish to be the face of equality."
Chloe, 20
Cork, Eire. Transgender lady.
"After popping out, I had enormous dysphoria and struggled massively leaving the home and talking after I was out in public. There have been moments after I would really feel like I used to be doing the correct factor and moments I believed I used to be going loopy. Steadily over time I began to really feel the advantages of being truthful to myself.
"Dwelling in a physique that you simply really feel doesn't absolutely belong to you but is extraordinarily painful, however coping with individuals who assume you might be disgusting and sick is mentally draining....I perceive that my gender doesn't outline me or who I'm. I refuse to let gender roles and female-male privilege management me.
"I'm completely imperfect. And proud."
Zak, 13
Isle of Wight, England. Transgender boy.
"Once I was 12, I spotted that transgender was a factor. It made sense. I'm straight — I'm a straight man in a lady's physique.
"I had very distorted expectations, although, and thought that I might have the ability to have hormones and operations straightaway. The method is simply too lengthy. I hate wanting like this, I hate the physique that I've. I would like it to rework, and it's improper that I've to attend till I'm an grownup."
Lilly, 12
Northern California. Transgender woman.
"Whereas different youngsters are growing, you're not. You're both on hormone blockers otherwise you don't know what to do but. Additionally, no one actually has a crush on you, as a result of they assume you're bizarre or totally different as a result of they assume you're actually not the gender you might be.
"On the finish of the day, folks can say what they need about you, however the one voice that issues to you is yours. They only don't wrestle with the issues we wrestle with."
Kyla and Mya (twins), 18
Los Angeles. Nonbinary.
"I really feel most comfy within the house between the gender binary, an area the place I'm allowed to assemble my very own concepts of gender and gender expression. Which means I really feel extra masculine than female. For a lot of, this can be a laborious idea to know.
"Being nonbinary additionally means I'll by no means actually be accepted by society. It signifies that when a stranger asks me, 'Are you a boy or a lady?,' I've to judge which choice will maintain me most secure." — Kyla, left
"Gender nonetheless baffles me, and I didn't develop up seeing it the way in which others do. I can't say I now perceive gender on a private stage, however I've a greater understanding of it on a societal and institutional stage. Trans identities expose the underpinnings of gender in ways in which our society typically deems as harmful.
"We're complicated people residing in a posh, multidimensional world. It doesn't make sense for gender to be any totally different." — Mya
See extra footage and interviews at annietritt.com/transcending-self.
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