Transgender individuals come out at different times; they can be 10 or 100 years old. It all depends on the individual. 16% of Americans say they personally know someone who is transgender according to GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

Recently, The Chieftain interviewed one of our fellow classmates, junior Evie Priestman. As the first Wakefield student to transition from female to male while still in high school, he has had to make many decisions beyond that of a typical high school student. He sat down to discuss his transition as a male and as a student.

His elementary school years were important; they helped him to cultivate and navigate to his real identity. As a little kid, he stepped into an open-minded environment that accepted him as a tomboy. From a young age, he was encouraged to be who he was and to embrace who he was. It was a safe place to start his journey.

When Evie began 6th grade at Kenmore, he felt very alienated from his classmates. He said, “since I was different they saw me as weak and took advantage of the situation and bullied me…They didn’t accept me…” He decided to transfer to Gunston Middle School.

“I felt welcomed as soon as I entered the building” he said. As he reflected on his first days of 7th grade at Gunston, he said, “I was back with my Claremont friends.”

Evie was asked the moment he knew that he identified as male, he said, “it was something I’ve always known.”

It was during his first freshman year at Wakefield when he started vocalizing that fact. He began to ask people to refer to him with male pronouns. This choice of pronouns “made me feel more comfortable.” People “saw and addressed me as who I really am.”

During spring break of his sophomore year, Evie had surgery to remove his breast tissue. He said that “this was something that was always on [his] mind.” It was no question that post-surgery, Evie felt as though he had stepped into a new world. As he spoke of his life in the last year, he said, “I feel more comfortable in my body.” The surgery was almost a seamless next-step in his life.

What has helped Evie get through the biggest life decision he has made? He felt that his friends, family, girlfriend, and school community, were “open to understanding the transitioning process.” #squadgoals

A little over two months ago, Evie reached another milestone in his life, he was declared legally a male in Arlington County Courts. Evie’s ultimate advice for any teen who strongly wants to transition to their true identity is, “say who you are and don’t be afraid to express yourself.”

He did a Ted Talk in October discussing his transitioning process. Click here to watch the talk.