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A West Yorkshire teen has revealed the bullying and heartbreak that led up to his decision to come out as transgender.



Ash Smith, from Mirfield, has spoken out about what it's like to change sex.



The 17-year-old said he always knew he was meant to be male, and has been supported by his dad and friends.



But Ash, who is now studying law, told the Examiner Live how he endured sickening abuse from some of his classmates during the process.





(Image: MEN Media)



Becoming a man was always in his mind - but the road to get there was not easy, he recalled.

“I was always the boy in games as a kid. All my friends were boys. I guess I just always felt like a boy at heart.

“One of my most vivid memories of feeling like this is when I was doing my SATs. The teachers sat the boys and girls on every other seat at tables to keep us apart.



I was sat in a girl’s seat and I remember just feeling so uncomfortable and angry about it.



I did really badly in those exams because of that - I just couldn’t concentrate."





In 2013, Ash was humiliated and outed as gay in front of an entire class, when a girl he had feelings for was telling a friend and another classmate overheard.

“I realised at school that I was into girls. I had feelings for a female friend of mine and when someone overheard her talking to another friend about it, this person just shouted it out to the rest of the class. It stole my chance to come out in my own way.

“It was a horrible experience and one that I’ll never forget”, he said. “But it was the first time I thought about transitioning.”





Growing up in Scarborough with his mum, Ash endured years of abuse and torment from classmates unable to comprehend that some people are born as the wrong sex.

He said: “A girl locked herself in a changing room with me and her friends and beat me up. They only stopped when the teacher came along, but the school never did anything about the bullying I was getting.

“That incident really left me mentally scarred. No one should have to go through it.”

He now lives in West Yorkshire with his dad Jason McBurnie, who he says has been really supportive.

“Dad is great. My friends have been great, too, although they still make the odd joke or mistake as they’re still adjusting to me being a boy now, instead of a girl.



I’m about six months into the transition process. You have to take male hormones and live as a man for two years before you’re eligible for surgery to fully change into a man, which is something I’m planning to do.”

(Image: MEN Media)





Ash takes hormone blockers and testosterone which he says change your hair and voice.

“There’s still a year left on the hormone blockers, but I will spend the rest of my life taking testosterone.

“It’s interesting to see how your body changes. It makes your hair thicker and your hairline recede, and you grow hair on your chest. It changes your vocal chords so your voice gets gradually deeper. It’s like going through puberty again."



“At some point I will be able to get lower half surgery but for now I am living as a man and just enjoying feeling like myself. Maybe in another 18 months I will be able to make the full transition.”

Ash is currently studying for an A level in law at Leeds City College, with dreams of working in the criminal justice system.

“I’m really interested in law and criminology and can’t wait to just get my career started. Growing up has been tough, and there’s still a long way to go.”

“Luckily people are more understanding about transgender issues these days.”