We Are Valid!

By Mason Garret Godwaldt

Everyone has identity struggles.

What do I want to be when I grow up? What group do I belong too?

For Transgender people, it goes well beyond that.
The questions change to “Will I ever be the true me?”, “Do I belong at all?”

Delve into the stories of 31 people who face this daily struggle. Stories included are from people all around the world.. Teenagers who are just finding their true selves to folks in their early twenties who have known they were transgender for years.

All true stories from real people with real emotions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mason Garret Godwaldt
• Release date: Nov 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311087485

Book preview

This book is dedicated to everyone who is transgender, If you are going through the transition alone know you are not alone. But first we want to thank you all, for being who you are. You all deserve credit for being you because we know it isn't easy to keep going when you aren't accepted as a human.

Being transgender isn't an easy process, but that doesn't mean you can give up in the middle of your story. You are as much of a human as we are, as anyone is; and we love you for being you. You've been strong for so long, but that doesn't mean you can give up just yet! You may think everyone gave up on you or left you; but we haven't. IF you feel like giving up, read this book. Know that there is people in almost the exact situation as you. Know that this book was written for this purpose. As we wrote this book, we kept all of you in our mind. You will make it through this and come out ten times stronger. Rise up and show the world who you really are.

The whole point of my gender transition was to free myself up. If something feels good, I'm not going to stop doing it because it doesn't fit someone else's notion of what a man is.

― David Harrison

Acknowledgments

There are so many people I'd love to thank but there is a few specific person id like to mention. First, My mom. She wasn't the first, but she is really accepting and I am proud to be her son. Secondly, My two close friends Danielle and Jordan. They were the first to know, and have been accepting from the start. I don't know where I'd be without these two. Especially Danielle, she has been through hell and back with me. I greatly appreciate them. Also, I want to thank my lovely girlfriend, Kiersten, who deals with my daily dysphoria and helps me through it. A special thanks to our amazing publisher Marianne! You're amazing and we couldn't do this without you. Also, thank you to everyone who sent in their story! This REALLY wouldn't be possible without you all.

Introduction

We are Valid! is for the awareness of those whose voices have not been able to be heard at all. Do you know what it's like to not be able to use the bathroom in public? Afraid of what will happen if you enter the bathroom. Being bullied and told your gender is not valid? Having body parts that don't fit the gender you are? Go through the daily struggle of trying to accept yourself? Or paying thousands of dollars in therapy and surgeries?

These are things that transgender people deal with all over the world. Also, a lot of trans people, cannot find the help they need and end their lives. So many transgender teens don't live to see their twenties and that, is tragic.

Transgender people are born in the wrong body. Boys are born in a girls body or girls are born in a boy's body. Boys binding the boobs they never asked for, which creates back and lung problems.

Living like this isn't easy, working hard every day to feel somewhat comfortable in your own body is a challenge. Let alone, then adding people bullying you and telling you that you are not valid, makes this battle a lot harder.

What we are looking for is acceptance, all we want is to be just like you. Human. We ask no more than that, we want respect. You don't have to help us transition, but if you cannot call us he-shes, tranny's, she-male, and the list goes on. I hope by reading this book, your eyes are opened to the fact that many people are transgender and they all experience different things.

Garrett Lee McDonald

Age 24, United States

My name is Garrett Lee McDonald, FtM 24, I live in Shawnee Oklahoma. I always knew I was a boy. From a young age, I identified as male, but never spoke to my parents about it. I went through my teen years wearing boy clothes and stuff.

By the time I'd made it to high school, I had heard of the term Transgender, thought it could apply to me but didn't know enough to be sure. I told all my classes that when I grew up I was going to be a man. Most laughed, some were disgusted, few understood. I decided I wouldn't talk about it, out of sight, out of mind, but it was always there.

I came out to my parents as a lesbian right after my 18th birthday. My mother said some very rude things, my dad said I can't change who you are, stay in school. When I was 20 I started insisting that people use male pronouns when referring to me. My friends and coworkers happily agreed. We've had several discussions about gender identity  and making sure everyone was on the same page, but it wasn't enough.

I saw other guys doing HRT. Getting top surgery. Everything that I wanted to be. March 2015 I made my decision to start my transition, with or without