trans man celebrates at gender reveal party

My Friends Threw Me A Gender Reveal Party To Celebrate Starting Testosterone

Coming Out

“My name is Corey Walker. I’m 27-years-old, from southern Florida and I’m currently transitioning from female to male.

I grew up in a very small Florida beach town with little diversity. I didn’t know anyone who identified in the LGBT community, so when I started having thoughts of being male, it was difficult to comprehend and share my feelings.

It wasn’t until I moved to Michigan for college that I came out to my family and friends back home as being attracted to women.

Living in Michigan opened my mind and my heart.

Being surrounded with more like minded individuals and diversity helped me realize my sexuality was completely separate from my gender identity.

I was in fact transgender. My partner helped me realize how much I needed to transition.

I was happy for him, of course, but I was also envious and lived vicariously through him and his transition for years.

When we separated I knew it was time for me to be true to myself.

Coming out to my family was shocking at first. No one believed me.

I dressed feminine, had long hair, and showed no ‘signs.’

But little did they know my mental struggles for all of these years.

That I would cringe anytime someone would refer to me as ‘ma’am’ or when men would voice their attraction towards me.

I dressed feminine in front of my family because I never thought transitioning would be an option for me.

Transitioning

So, I played the cards I was dealt.

I didn’t want the judgement or questions about my attire or look.

My close friends on the other hand were not surprised. My masculine personality and style are obvious.

I’m extremely fortunate to have the support system I have. I’m just starting my journey but feel like this has been a long time coming.

I took my first dose of testosterone on May 24^th, 2018 and to celebrate my friends threw me an ‘it’s a boy’ themed party.

It was a celebration to commemorate the start of my medical transition.

man holding vial of testosterone — Courtesy of Corey Walker

We had syringes filled with Jell-O shots (to symbolize my testosterone injections), blue and white ‘it’s a boy’ decorations, balloons, cupcakes, and banners.

My friends wanted me to experience the same support and celebration when it was my time to transition. I was thrilled!

friends standing at gender reveal party for trans man — Courtesy of Corey Walker

I’ve been waiting a long time for this.

Although I knew I was transgender and wanted to transition for years, I put my own needs on the back burner to support my partner at the time.

When we separated I told myself that it was finally time for me to live my truth.

I’m very fortunate to have the support of my family and my friends.

Transitioning is an extremely difficult journey but having support definitely helps.

I wanted to share my party idea and story in hopes to encourage others to celebrate their trans friends.

A transition is a journey. In my opinion, much like a rebirth. So, I feel like this type of party is fitting.

A positive twist on the popular ‘gender reveal’ party.

Don’t waste your life living someone else’s.”

man takes selfie in hat — Courtesy of Corey Walker

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Corey Walker, 27, of Florida. You can follow his journey on Twitter. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best love stories here.