29/06/2022
"Coming out has been an incredible and challenging experience which has absolutely been shaped by my blindness."
This , Connor talks about some of the unique challenges he has faced being both blind and transgender.
"Not long after coming out, I had a conversation with my sister and she said something that really stood out to me. She was talking about a trans friend of hers, and how their transition had seemed less surprising in some ways than my own, because they had eased into it, changing their hair and clothing before they came out. I had wanted to do these things, but I hadn't been sure how I could."
"When shopping, I need assistance, whether that's from someone working in the shop or from a friend. I hadn't felt like I could ask for help buying men's clothes without explaining why I wanted them. Likewise, I couldn't look at pictures of hairstyles online to choose one I liked. I had to work with the person cutting my hair, getting advice from them. That was much easier to do after I came out and I could tell people why I needed to make these changes."
"What I really want is the chance to live my life. I want meaningful friendships, a fulfilling career, access to sport and art and theatre. I want so much and yet I don't feel as though any of these things are unreasonable. They are made harder because I am blind, as many things are inaccessible to me."
"I think these are issues that all blind people face, whether they are trans or not. But when you are transgender there's an extra layer to it."
"But when I look around and see, metaphorically speaking, those who have stood with me and continue to fight for me, I believe that these things are possible."
Check out Connor's full story: https://www.sense.org.uk/blog/coming-out-as-transgender-has-been-shaped-by-my-blindness/