Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Childhood is often regarded as the most beautiful phase of life. However, when the struggle to understand one’s identity begins at such a tender age, how does one navigate the immense complexity of a concept as profound as identity?

At a young age, I was burdened with the fear of not being accepted, of never fitting in, and of never truly feeling normal or like myself—fears that haunted me for much of my life. How could I possibly tell anyone—from my nuclear and extended family to my friends and peers—that since the age of six, I had always felt and believed I was a boy, yet was forced to conform to an expression and identity that felt entirely opposite to who I truly was?

Many transgender individuals live with this fear for years, sometimes for their entire lives, to avoid losing their loved ones, facing judgment for who they truly are, or being excluded from society. This fear of rejection stems from a lack of awareness about the challenges transgender people face—the profound dysphoria they endure daily and the internal struggle to embrace their true identity while feeling pressured to conform to society’s rigid binary gender norms.

The lack of awareness among my loved ones also prevented them from truly understanding the gravity of the dysphoria I had been battling—both within myself and with them—since childhood. This misunderstanding even led them to dismiss my intense dysphoria as “just a phase.” But it never was. Once they became educated, aware, and realized that my feelings were valid and completely normal, all those fears and doubts began to dissolve.

People often form impressions of trans individuals based on preconceived notions, which are far removed from the reality of their lived experiences. But we are all human beings, thriving on connection and understanding, making acceptance a fundamental part of emotional well-being. When people feel genuinely accepted, it fosters self-confidence, belonging, and the ability to embrace others in return. Acceptance is the cornerstone of empathy, bridging differences and strengthening relationships.

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, let us honour the resilience of those who have struggled, the lives of those we have lost, and commit ourselves to creating a world where every individual feels seen, heard, and accepted for who they truly are.