Oklahoman shares his journey realizing what it meant to be transgender

Brighton Leigh Arellano, 25, underwent procedures to transition to a male. [Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman]

Briah Arellano did not want to be found.

At 21, Arellano felt confused, depressed and uncomfortable in her body in a way she could not quite pin down. In her apartment, alone, she decided to end her life.

Friends found her and called 911. She was taken to the hospital, and told when she came to that she had nearly died.

Four years later, Arellano is engaged, working at Starbucks and studying at Oklahoma City Community College. And Arellano now knows what was wrong.