Trans Project Interview and Lifestyle Boudoir Session with Body Paint | Meet Jace | Eastern Iowa LGBTQ* Inclusive Photographer
Meet Jace
Trans Project - Interview & Lifestyle Boudoir Session
Cedar Falls, Cedar Valley & Eastern Iowa LGBTQ* Inclusive Photographer
Used in Session: Trans Tape & GC2B Binder
Before we stopped doing sessions due to COVID-19, we had the pleasure of doing a session with a fellow photographer I connected with via Instagram! Jace was always posting killer self-portraits and I wanted to get him behind our camera!
We started the Trans Project to give visibility to a part of the LGBTQ* community near and dear to us. We have found that most people have negative opinions in regards to trans individuals because of ignorance, and we want to give a platform to educate and show an intimate look at life that many know nothing about. Check out the interview below!
What do you identify as?
Transgender man
When did you come out?
18 years old
If you feel comfortable, share your coming out story
Basically I was telling how I had been feeling to my partner at the time who is a transwoman, and she asked if I could also be trans and at first, I denied it. But then I bought a binder just to see how it felt, at first I just thought I was nonbinary after that. I went to college and when I was there I started watching youtube videos of transguys and realizing how much I related to them. After that, it was kinda an aha moment, and I knew I couldn't deny it any more. First I told my partner and then a few weeks later I told my parents.
When/What if anything made you realize you were trans?
When I was 6 I remember being in the bathroom and wondering why I didn’t have a dick. Always telling my mom that I wish I could trade as far as breast sizes since she is an A cup and I was a lot bigger.
What are some microaggressions that make you feel unsafe?
The passive-aggressive comments after coming out, and people commenting on people being transgender in general when they themselves didn't know I was trans.
What are some of the most hurtful questions to ask? How can I be a better ally/friend?
Since I am attracted to guys, some people ask why I don’t just stay the same as I was "born" to be easier. Also when people ask how I am going to have kids. Just keep an open mind and being considerate of how your questions could be perceived.
What have your experiences (if any) with male privilege been like? When you "pass" as a man to other people, do they treat you differently than before you started transitioning (i.e., before you appeared masculine)?
I feel like even though my personality has stayed the same. People do tend to listen more to me, also if I attempt to make a joke they actually do find it funny whereas before they would just tend to ignore it and move on.
What is the biggest misconception you want to dispel?
That not all transgender people are the same. We all have different opinions and ideas of how we want our lives to be.
What's been the hardest part of your transition so far?
The nonacceptance of my family about being transgender. Since I come from a really traditional Christian family they still haven't taken it well. They just try to pretend that I am not transitioning and that I am exactly the same as before.
What is the best experience you've had since coming out?
Meeting fellow transgender individuals and creating a community, also if it wasn’t for coming out as transgender I would have never met my boyfriend.
What do you personally define as transitioned?
For me its taking hormones, having top surgery, possibly having bottom surgery and passing as a guy 100% of the time.
Do you have anything that you want to talk about that wasn't asked above? An issue close to your heart? Something you wish people were more informed about?
Just that you don't have to exactly follow societies rules of what being either man or woman is, you can be however you want to identify, even if its a mix of both or none at all. You don’t have to be the way society forces us to be.
Thank you for reading this interview by Jace! If you liked this blog, there are many more at our Trans Project page! Make sure to scroll all the way down and subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest blogs, announcements and deals right to your email!
Check out the rest of Jace’s gallery below!
Click and scroll through to view large and uncropped.
Check out some BTS shots from this session!
If you’re interested in participating in our Trans Project series, let us know! While we are taking a hiatus due to COVID, we would love to hear from you and get something set up! We are looking at doing Trans Project marathons to maximize how many we get to highlight and offer them multiple times per year so that return clients can participate!
We love doing these sessions and look forward to every face that gets in front of our camera. Stay healthy and have a great week! <3