Pages

Tuesday

He used to be a she, and she used to be a he.Transgender teen lovebirds ..

Young and in love: Transgender teens Arin Andrews, 17, seen posing for a picture with sweetheart Katie Hill, 19, at the Oologah Lake in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Young and in love: Transgender teens Arin Andrews, 17, seen posing for a picture with sweetheart Katie Hill, 19, at the Oologah Lake in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Living life to the fullest: The teenage couple have been bullied and lost friends but have been able to support each other through their gender treatment

Living life to the fullest: The teenage couple have been bullied and lost friends but have been able to support each other through their gender treatment
Just over a year ago Katie, a university student, had gender reassignment surgery, thanks to an amazing $35,000 donation from an anonymous donor who read her story in a local newspaper.
Now, Arin, who is still at school, has undergone an operation to remove both of his breasts, and is proudly showing off his new male physique.
For the last year, Arin has been binding up his chest to try to hide his female body, but can now go topless for the first time after his surgery in Cleveland, Ohio, in June.
He said: 'Now I can wear a tank top, which I couldn't before, I can go swimming shirtless, I can walk outside, I can just be a regular guy now.
'I hated my breasts, I always felt like they didn't belong - now I can finally be comfortable in my own body.'
He added: 'Now when I'm out in a public pool, or lifting weights, no-one raises an eyebrow, they just think I'm a guy - just a skinny dude in the gym trying to build some muscle.


Defining themselves: Last year Katie had a $35,000 sex change surgery to turn her into a woman - and now Arin has followed his dream to have a flat, male chest following an operation


'My family have really surprised me with how supportive they have been throughout the surgery. I'm so lucky to have them and Katie to rely on.'
Katie and Arin met nearly two years ago at a support group for transgender teenagers and bonded through their shared experiences.
Katie said: 'To me, Arin's just my Arin, he's always looked manly to me. But now he's had the surgery he's much more confident and comfortable with himself.'
But now that the teens' physical appearance matches their gender, both of them are excited to be able to go swimming, boating and sunbathe like other couples.
Katie added: 'Being transgender myself, I understand Arin probably better than anybody else, how good he feels and how complete he feels.'



In the future, Arin might consider having genital surgery, but this can be complicated, and for now he's delighted with his new body.
Both the couple's families are supportive of their relationship and say the way the way the teenagers have supported each other has helped in their transition.
Arin's mum Denise Andrews said: 'Seeing Katie go through her surgery was helpful to Arin.
'It was being around it and seeing her getting to transform. And being a couple at the time was I think just the cherry on the cake.
Changed lives: Emerald Andrews, before she became Arin, at the age of five in Tulsa, Oklahoma (left) and Luke Hill (right), before he became Katie, aged seven
Changed lives: Emerald Andrews, before she became Arin, at the age of five in Tulsa, Oklahoma (left) and Luke Hill (right), before he became Katie, aged seven
Changed lives: Emerald Andrews, before she became Arin, at the age of five in Tulsa, Oklahoma (up) and Luke Hill (down), before he became Katie, aged seven


Happy: Arin had an operation to remove his breasts and is proud of his new physique

No comments: