Tag: TransAction

Elijah Luke Michel discusses the differences in transitioning outcomes (whether self or other-imposed), the importance of bodily autonomy and the right to choose how far we go in living our authentic lives. One of the greatest moments of my life was in the hospital, looking down at my torso after...

Elijah Luke Michel eyes the proposed curriculum changes to the teaching of gender identity and reflects on the pre-colonial normality of trans identities. Life was very different for indigenous nations around the world prior to the arrival of visitors, who brought with them their religious worldviews, monogamy, binary gender constructs...

Judy Virago feels proud as she highlights the important work of her trans whanau all over Aotearoa. Most LGBTQIA+ folk born this side of 2000 grew up being told that “It Gets Better”. I’m a firm believer that even when things don’t get better, we get better at responding to...

Dating these days is a challenge for people regardless of gender or sexuality, but dating while trans comes with a specific challenge - disclosure. Judy Virago discusses, at what point do you tell someone you’re trans? When does anatomy become relevant to a conversation? Do you need to disclose...

Telling your family you are transgender can be one of the most defining conversations of your life. The reality for many is they may not understand and accept you straight away and that rejection can feel overwhelming. Judy Virago shares her coming out experience and notes that time and...

Did you know there is an unwritten rulebook that defines who can identify as trans? Judy Virago didn’t realise until she started transitioning and discovered a minefield of damaging expectations waiting for her. Here she shares the truth: only you should get to define your identity. When I made the...

Judy Virago shares her own experience of being a trans person in sports and fitness spaces, and believes after 15 years of trans athletes being eligible for the Olympics it is time one wore the silver fern and showed the world that ‘they are us.’ The mood was mighty cold...

When it feels like the world is against you, it's instinctual to attack back, but Judy Virago says the key to victory is building bridges not tearing others down. We’re stronger united. During my first year on hormone therapy I was a Goddess of Destruction; pumped full of estrogen and...