Bailey

Gender: Trans male

Pronouns: He / Him / His

Bailey is an 18 year old trans guy. His first experiences of gender incongruence was when he was about six years old, when his brother and cousin said that he could not play football because of his gender. Bailey responded by saying not a girl, who are you to tell me that a girl

When Bailey had his twelfth birthday, he decided he wanted his hair cut short which he said felt like the best feeling eve. Bailey then started wearing a male school uniform, legally changing his name, and seeking medical support.

Bailey has been in contact with child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and describes his experiences with CAMHS as repetitive. He said the health professionals he saw often tried to link him being autistic with being trans which was not helpful.

When Bailey was referred to a gender identity development service (GIDS), he inquired about hormones due to wanting to seek a medical transition. The next steps in Bailey’s trans journey are to continue pursuing hormones and to receive top surgery. He is not too sure about bottom surgery just yet, but he may decide differently in the future. When asked how his family feel about his transition and these physical changes, Bailey says they were very accepting of it

Bailey is thankful for the support from health professionals that told his family about his trans identity since he describes himself as being not great at words Bailey says that medical professionals need to continue to be educated on trans identities and to believe people when they present with gender incongruence.

Bailey talks about CAMHS practitioners making unhelpful assumptions about his gender identity because of his autism.

Age at interview 18

Bailey says “I’ve been told in the past that I’m not actually trans, it’s just because I have autism”.

Age at interview 18

Bailey talks about being scared about disclosing self-harm and suicide attempts to the gender identity services.

Age at interview 18

Bailey talks about his feelings about his voice.

Age at interview 18

Bailey isn’t sure that a teacher would have the specialist knowledge to teach about LGBTQ+ issues.

Age at interview 18