When we hear from trans and gender diverse individuals they are normally young people who are figuring out their gender identity as they navigate their teenage years and early adulthood.
But social change in New Zealand has allowed older people to explore their gender identity too.
Luca Bree wishes he had transitioned earlier Photo: Supplied
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Luca Bree has been part of the rainbow community for most of his life but it only been in recently has he begun to explore his gender identity. Rather than a teenager coming out to their parents, Luca found himself, mid-60s, coming out to his adult children.
“I told my son and he said ‘it’s a very first world problem’ and then the next day he brought my Christmas present round with: 'To Mum/Luca' on it,” he said.
Naturally Luca had complicated questions from both himself and his loved ones about who he is now and who he has been for the previous 60 odd years.
“Sixty-eight years of being Caroline is not going to go away,” said Luca, “I wasn’t unhappy before, but I’m so much happier now."
It is often the case that people knew there was something not quite right or a feeling that something felt off when they saw themselves in the mirror.
Reverend Kyle Provan was nearly 40 before he began transitioning. Photo: Supplied
Reverend Kyle Provan was nearly 40 years old before he was able to identify as transgender.
“It's amazing how long you can keep a mask on for," he said, "That mask of being female even though inside you are slowly dying.”
“When people started to make me female and change the way I dressed… I walked with it because I wanted to fit in.”
Kyle struggled through decades of trying to unify his faith with who he knew he was.
Kyle and Luca’s stories are very different experiences of very similar feelings. But they are also very familiar to young people who have explored their gender.
“It really put into perspective how it could have gone differently for me, in terms of my transition," said Let's Be Transparent host Joseph Stockhausen.
Useful Links
Outline: A peer support network for gender diverse New Zealanders of all ages.
God Made The Rainbow: An article exploring gender and Christianity
Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults: A US based guide to working with and supporting older transgender people.
T35+: A facilitated social/support group for trans women over the age of 35 that meets weekly. Phone OUTLine NZ 0800 688 5463 for contact information.
You can also find more information on the Let's Be TRANSparent website
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Or email us at joseph@transparentpodcast.nz
Let's Be TRANSparent was made by Motuihe Group for RNZ
Photo: Supplied
