“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” –Arthur Ashe
Howdy, my name is Heath. I am transgender, I am from Texas, I am in my 30s, and I am a real estate agent in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
My name used to be Heather Michelle. This is relevant because I transitioned recently, risking my professional foundation, my career, my marriage, and—to be honest— my life as I knew it. I am not in a desk job. My career as a real estate agent is a public career—one that I built and solidified as Heather, a woman. My entire job is built on word-of-mouth referrals and the referring party’s trust and faith in Heather. How does one transition genders within an already established platform and brand?
With these things in mind, I am sharing my own transition thoughts, photos, and adventure with the Tagg community. When I was first approached about documenting my transition journey as it relates to my career and life, I wasn’t sure if my individual story was relevant. After a bit of reflection, I realized that before I knew that I am trans, I reached out into the online universe. It was private, quiet, and a space in which I could explore my thoughts without saying them out loud. I found many resources that were helpful and familiar and some that truly changed the course of my life. I found hope—hope from others that were brave enough to share their truths.
I am one year into my transition, with a lot of learning yet to come. I am very comfortable being and saying that I am a trans man. And I am proud of both individuals—Heath and Heather—and each of their unique perspectives in this world. Perhaps you can relate or perhaps not. At the end of the day, I will only be sharing experiences that are my own.
Know that I am here. I am not ashamed. And I feel it is important to be a voice to anyone who needs it. I leaned on others who spoke up when I was searching. Perhaps this series will be a way that I can speak up, lend a hand, and help those next in line. Join me and Tagg on this journey, as I continue my transition within my professional world.
This is my new beginning. I can live in a world I design. So can you.
