Proud to Be: Christopher's Journey of Strength and Advocacy
This week, we continue our "Proud to Be" series, a collection of stories honoring the resilience and pride within the Rio Grande Valley's LGBTQ+ community. Today, we are privileged to share the powerful journey of Christopher, a barber and dedicated advocate for trans rights. In his own words, Christopher recounts the adversities he faced and the strength he found within himself to build a life of purpose and create safe spaces for others.
My entire transition made me the strong person I am today. I have been advocating for trans rights since I was 16. However, there is one experience that changed my life. I dealt with some very transphobic administration officials at a school campus and had to endure years of it until I had a breaking point. In this class/campus, I couldn’t use any restroom; I couldn’t talk to anyone without getting in trouble. I was harassed by adults constantly. They outed me to my mom without my consent and it made everything worse. My mom and I didn’t have a great relationship afterwards. I had to leave home for a while and we didn’t have any communication. It hurt. It almost costed me my dream of being a barber given the fact that this was a cosmetology class.
After dealing with unjustified treatments and nearly giving up, I decided to take that same pain and turn it into something powerful. I decided to look for another option and move forward with my career. I gathered the strength I didn’t even know I had in me and simply kept pushing forward. I worked two jobs, got an apartment with my partner, finished barber school, and followed through with my transition.
I am proud of all my accomplishments in general, but I am most proud of my career and the direction it is taking. I’ve connected with so many different individuals through barbering. I’ve helped the community through my work and that is what is all about. This is what I’ve always wanted. Being able to provide a safe space where others feel seen, recognized and respected means the world to me.
My experiences have definitely helped shape who I am today by making me wiser. I am now able to guide others through similar situations that I was previously in. I’m an open book and I will always share my story.
Most of my friends remained by my side and have supported my journey. My partner has been with me right from the start. We have been together for 8 years. She has witnessed every moment within my transition and career. My family and I had a rough start, but luckily, we are at a good place now. And of course, I can’t forget my chosen family. The RGV’s LGBTQ+ community members. I owe my entire life to every individual that has been there supporting me and wishing nothing but the best for me.
When people would tell me it would get better, I thought it sounded cliche or that there was no way that I’d be able to recover from the hurting or suffering. At one point, I didn’t think I’d make it past my teenage years. But it got better. It got so much better. It was true. You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain. Anything is possible if you set your mind to it. If you are dealing with transphobia, dysphoria or even your own family and friends turning against you because of who you are, I am here and you’re not alone. I live loud and proud because others deserve to know there IS a light at the end of the tunnel.