Declan

Gender: Trans masculine

Pronouns: He / His / Him

Declan is transmasculine and in his twenties. He came out to his parents as transmasculine at 14 and he began using male pronouns at home and wearing gender neutral clothing. Declan was being assessed for ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) at the time and was referred to an LGBT specialist therapist at CAMHS. He saw a number of therapists, not all were good experiences, but CAMHS did refer him to the Gender Identity Development Services (GIDS).

His family have been very supportive and he feels surrounded by people who treat me right, who like respect m although his dad has had trouble using the right pronouns. Declan has had a lot of support from a LGBT youth group where he felt safe and met a lot of his friends. At sixteen he changed his name by Deed Poll which meant all his documents including his GCSE certificates had his new name on them.

He was 16 when his GIDs referral came through and he feels lucky he only had to wait 8-12 months. GIDS sent a number of questionnaires and asked his mum a lot of questions about his ASD diagnosis and his general mental health and wellbeing. Although he felt he was through puberty, GIDs advised that he would have to take hormone blockers for a year before he could start testosterone.

He decided to wait for adult services thinking this would only be another year before he could start on testosterone. GIDs provided social support until adult services took on his care and he felt supported by the staff who helped with CAMHS and school issues. After being re-assessed by adult services again about his gender dysphoria, about a year and a half after he left GIDs, he was finally prescribed testosterone gel. Declan did not assess private medical services as the costs were too much of a barrier for him.

He finds the media coverage about trans issues very negative I feel there’s no really positive trans media eve so tend to avoid engaging with it.

He was initially confused about his sexuality and being trans but has accepted that Okay, I’m a trans guy, I like men so that must mean I’m gay no, but still sees his sexuality as being more fluid. Sex education at school was very heteronormative.

Declan says I think it’s important for people to have their own individual narrativesrather than try to conform to like someone else’s or what you expect a trans narrative to be like

Declan talks about the difference top surgery will make in terms of playing sports.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about his experience of surgery appointments and the questions he was asked.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about the relief of not having the “constant battle” of being misgendered at university.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about the difficulties he’s had with family therapy and miscommunication between therapists and family members.

Age at interview 20

Declan advises teachers to “look out for gender-based bullying” at school.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about his experience of the questions asked at GIDS, including his “wellbeing” and “transition goals”.

Age at interview 20

Declan was pleased with the support that GIDS gave him with talking to his school.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about his experience of puberty changes and his gender identity.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about being an advocate for sport and the changes that can be made.

Age at interview 20

Declan talks about the changes he made at a single sex school including toilet provision.

Age at interview 20