Trans Joy Is Real
Let’s talk about trans joy—
I feel like we don’t talk enough about the happiness that comes with being trans too. I wanted to do a self portrait shoot to start the year in a positive direction. Although bringing attention to the dysphoria and the discrimination that so many trans people face is important, I want to make sure I talk about the euphoria too. I want people to know that sometimes there are these moments in the trans journey that are beautiful. There is a certain peace that comes with finally learning who you are and being comfortable in your own skin.
Celebrate your trans joy whenever you can. Be proud of where you are in your journey, even if it’s just the beginning. I hope this can show that trans happiness is real because in my own experience, there was a time where I didn’t think it was ever possible for me.
For awhile, I didn’t think I’d ever even come out as transgender, never mind find my own trans joy. Trans joy is essentially reclaiming this identity that you hid for so long and being able to do things you’ve always wanted to do and celebrating that. Celebrate trans joy when you find it. Joy and happiness might come easier to most people, but for a trans person to finally feel joy in their own skin after living so long in a life that isn’t theirs, it’s special. For so long, I couldn’t be myself because of how other people would react. How they would feel. You shouldn’t have to hide your trans joy for the comfort of other people.
The first time I ever experienced joy like that was genuinely the first time I cut my hair. The gender euphoria went crazy. I used to promise I would never cut my “beautiful long hair” for the benefit of other people. Other people’s happiness was apparently more important than my own at the time. But once I started living for myself, instead of others, the moments of trans joy became flooding in like a damn river. Less dysphoria, more euphoria.
Some other moments of trans joy that I’ve experienced:
Finally coming out and starting testosterone all on the same day (View post)
My first self portrait raising awareness for my community (View post)
The day I legally changed my name (View post)
Scheduling a top surgery consult appointment on my 6 month T anniversary (View post)
Setting a date for top surgery and doing my first dysphoria self portrait piece (View post)
The day I got top surgery (View post)
My one year on T (View post)
Graduating my college as Samuel Avery Giardina (View post)
Starting to express my trans joy in my art (View post)
My first art exhibit (View post)
Two years on T (View post)
My first pride event as a LGBTQ+ small business owner (View post)
Accepting an invite to be at the CT Honors Voice Gala for LGBTQ+ voices from Connecticut (View post)
Speaking at the event (View post)
My first few solo art galleries (View post, View post)
Those are just a few moments and they wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t start somewhere. Capturing trans joy is a big goal of mine for my portraits of other people. If you’re interested in working with me as a photographer to capture both your hardships and your joy, check out my project!
