Parker Large

When Senior Parker Large first wanted to transition, he had some negative ideas on what it meant to transition.

“I thought it had to be a strict set of things to do in order to be valid, that I have since been able to break down and open my mind up a bit more,” Large said.

After a friend introduced him to the concept of being transgender, Large started questioning his own identity. He says he began to wonder if the path he was going down was what he really wanted,
or if he wanted to transition.

In middle school, Large recalled that he was often beat up due to his identity. And contrary to Whitaker’s experience with transitioning, Large faced sexual assault and dealt with family members who refused to accept his identity.

“It kind of hurts when they say mean things about it and I get a lot of ‘you confuse me’ comments,” Large said.

He has not started medically transitioning because of his financial situation. But he plans on star  ng testosterone in the next couple of months and then, eventually, in the next couple of years, getting the surgeries he wants.

Starting his transition has largely helped him understand who he is and has even helped him take care of himself. He says he feels more confident and secure in himself than ever.

Many people at SHS have been able to support him and his identity. Especially people from the theater department, both students and teachers, have helped him feel valid in his identity.

“People have tried their hardest to remember my pronouns, defend me when people are wondering about what my deadname is, or they’ll cover against me when people are trying to be mean,” Large said.

One of his biggest supporters Andrysiak. The couple has been together for three and a half years.

Andrysiak often tries to help show his support for his boyfriend by giving him compliments relating to masculinity since feeling masculine helps Large.

Throughout their entire relationship, Large has identified as trans and so Andrysiak has never seen his boyfriend as anything other than male.

“There will always be people out there to support who you are,” Andrysiak said.

For those who are striving to be an ally or have more trans representation, Large recommends looking into bills, looking into if they are harmful to trans people and to try and fi ght against them while providing as much support as one can.

He wants other trans youth to know that it’s okay to be themselves, but to also be wary.

“While you do have to be careful of your surrounding environment,” Large said, ”don’t let people tell you how you should or shouldn’t present yourself.”