A genderqueer activist has opened up about how the use of gender pronouns has harmed them throughout their entire life, detailing the negative, and potentially dangerous, baggage the words 'he' and 'she' can carry.

Jacob Tobia identifies as genderqueer and gender nonconforming, meaning they reject the idea of being identified as solely one gender and prefer the use of 'they', instead of gender-specific pronouns.

In a candid new video by Cosmopolitan.com they detail how gender pronouns stripped away their ability to choose 'what makes sense' for them, making them feel as though they were being forced into a 'box' or a 'trap'.

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Real Talk: Activist Jacob Tobia bares all about their feelings on gender identity in a new video

Opening up: Tobia, 25, who lives in LA, discsusses their traumatic childhood, recalling how they had to play with Barbies in secret and hide from their brother and neighbors

'I always say that my life was perfect for about three seconds until the nurse looked down and said "it's a boy," ' Tobia said.

Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tobia revealed much of their childhood was lived in fear.

'Scared about oh, what happens if my true self just slips out for a second and everyone learns that I am this feminine person,' they said.

'What if people learn who I truly am, I don't think I can survive it.'

As a child, Tobia loved Barbies and hid it from the outside world in fear of letting everyone else see their true self.

'I always wanted to play with Barbies - I mean it's so classic. I tried to hide it and not let the kids in the neighborhood know that I had it and one day they found it,' they added.

'They cut off my Barbie's hair and pulled off her head.

'Oh my God, it was so traumatic because it was like we found out your secret, your secret is not okay, and you need to change who you are.'

Baby blues: Pictured holding a bouquet and wearing a tutu, Tobia shares childhood memories of fear that people might discover they're a feminine person

Modern Model: Tobia, pictured with winged liner and a bold red lip, works for Amazon’s comedy series Transparent

Loud and proud: Donning a shirt with the message that queerness does not equate invisibility, Tobia is well known for vocalizing his truths and passions

For Tobia, the pronouns 'he/she'' boxed them up, but 'they/them' were liberating.

'We don't even view [pronouns] as something that's hurtful or violent or mean to a child. I had so many feelings of my gender not working,' they said.

The ability to choose on the gender nonconforming spectrum is 'brilliant and unique' for Tobia.

Today Tobia is an LGBTQ rights activist and writer, and works on Amazon's comedy series Transparent. They are also writing a memoir, Sissy, on the gender identity journey, according to EW.

Tobia dedicates their time to raising awareness of LGBTQ issues and in 2012 raised $10,000 for homeless LGBTQ youth running across the Brooklyn Bridge in stilettos.

Strike a pose: Modelling is just one of the many professions Tobia pursues with the hope of breaking old norms

A lover and a fighter: Tobia rocks a rainbow frock and tan sandals for L.A. Trans Pride

Beauty and brains: Tobia juggles giving keynote speeches (left) and modelling gigs in addition to their activism career

They credit much of their journey to supportive adults in their life.

'If they were good to me, I knew my peers could figure it out. But the waiting for that moment was excruciating,' Tobia said.

But it wasn't until after graduating from Duke University and moving to Washington D.C. that they realized they were a part of something bigger.

'That's when I finally understood that being genderqueer and gender nonconforming did make me part and parcel of the trans community,' they added.

Now they are dedicated to helping others who struggled in similar ways.

'If I had to talk to my eight-year-old self, I would say you owe it to yourself to be patient with yourself and to be patient with people around you. Because as much as you want to, everything can't change overnight for you, but it's gonna get awesome,' Tobia said.

The video closes out with Tobia holding an 'I am beautiful' sign and a message for acceptance.