hi I'm Ashton before I get started I
have a little update I think I've
figured out a schedule that could work
for me I'm going to try to upload three
times a week, generally on Tuesdays will be
videos on mental health Thursday's will
be video on trans topics and over the
weekend I will try to do something a bit
more relaxed like a recommendations
favourites video stuff about my
collections my art if I ever reach more
than a few people and that watch then
maybe Q&A stuff like every other creator
on the planet so that's the schedule i'm
going to try to stick to but no promises
my dog's just sitting here licking my
hands... you want to meet my dog? this is Beau
I came out just trans in 8th grade but I
didn't change my name until 8th grade was
over it was easier for me to move into a
new school with a new name then try to
change it with the people I've known for
at least three years and teachers that
likely wouldn't start calling me by a
new name halfway through the year here
in the States we go to a new school when
we moved from 8th to 9th grade so
officially doing all my coming out in
the summer was the best option for me I
decided on the name Ashton because it's
on the masculine side of androgynous
which is what I wanted going into 9th
grade I told my teachers about my name
before school started emailing them hey
my name on the register is insert birth
name but I go by Ashton and I would
appreciate it if you'd call roll that
way I haven't had any major issues with
teachers yeah some forget and they did
say my birth name in front of the class
which sucked but if you correct them
immediately most of them will pick up on
it very easily as they're still learning
everyone's names because I haven't
changed my name legally I can't fully
avoid my birth name especially at school
one of the biggest issues at school for
many people is the gym I haven't had gym
since ninth grade because at my school
it's only required one year and I was
like bitch I'm getting this over with I
changed in the girls room but the
clothes I wore were like, loose guy's
shorts and the loosest exercise shirt I
could find I change really quickly with my
back facing everyone else and that's
really the best I can do locker rooms
all depend on where you are in
your transition and comfort level lies
as unfortunate as it is you would likely
have to talk to administration and even
if you do end up going to the locker
room that matches your gender you
personally may be more comfortable
changing in a stall. I had to decide
for myself that I'd stay in the girls
lockers at the time I didn't even
vaguely pass and changing in a guys
bathroom when you wear a sports bra
would be iffy ultimately I know it
should be your own choice but many
schools are not good in that regard if
you need to compromise then do so but
ultimately keep yourself safe and
comfortable if you can wear your gym
clothes until you go to gym and then
change afterwards to at least eliminate
half of the awful changing room business
then I say that's a good idea the other
thing that a lot of people worry about
is bathrooms clearly and rightfully so
first off do not dehydrate yourself to
avoid bathrooms I know it's probably
what you want to do and I don't blame
you because I do the same thing but
drink water don't avoid peeing for 10
hours a day I beg of you my school is
huge like 30-something acres and 3,000
people um there's one gender neutral
bathroom in the entire school and I
don't have any classes in building that
it's in so it's not an option for me if
your school has a gender neutral
bathrooms thank your lucky stars and use
it no one's going to judge you for using
it and many genderless bathrooms are
single stall so hey that's even less to
worry about if your school doesn't have
gender-neutral restrooms or if you're
like me and can't access them again you
will probably need to talk to the
administrators for me I have a key that
lets me into a male faculty bathroom in
one of the school's buildings but again
I have one class in that building and I
don't generally need to go to the
bathroom when I'm in that class so I
barely ever use it it's probably my best
option but I don't like I don't like me
having to use the bathroom to be some
sort of exception you know if you can
find a time where you know restrooms are
going to be empty or nearly empty go
then just find a time where you're most
comfortable using the bathroom you're
more comfortable in
it's important to be safe and if
you feel that you may be called out or
assaulted in a bathroom don't go and if
you're trans masculine and still get a
period I'd suggest going to the girls
bathroom because trust me on this one
carrying bloody pad out of the stall in
the men's bathroom is one of the most
awkward experiences I have ever had in
my life if you can find a cisgender
friend that wouldn't mind going into the
bathroom with you just to be there and
be on your side if something does go
wrong, do it. you'd be surprised at how
many people are willing to defend you I
have a friend that's like 6'4" and
swimmer he's incredibly strong and
intimidating and he's totally cool with
being in the bathroom with me to back me
up as the world progresses trans issues
have become more prevalent in society
whether it's in a civics government
class and maybe even a health class
there's always the possibility that
trans issues will be brought up most
likely the bathroom debate it can be
tempting to talk about it and use your
experience as a point in your argument
and sometimes you can make amazing
points and open up people's minds but be
mindful of your own limits first and
analyze how you feel before you launch
yourself into a debate people can say
mean things and teachers will often play
devil's advocate to further discussion
especially in the government or debate
class it is extremely tempting to defend
yourself on trans issues but if you
don't think you can emotionally handle
it, then avoid it as best you can one
of the most important things I can say
is to build a support group around you
if you find other trans people at your
school do it and befriend them I have a
friend it's also a trans boy that goes
to my school he's starting t like in a
couple days actually and we help each
other out all the time trading advice
about binders and packers and such but
you know that is one other person in
school 3,000 people that I know about so
you may not find anyone else but if you
do befriend them immediately believe me
it's worth it queer people in general
can be a really great thing to add to
your friend group and believe me once
you get into high school somehow you
find a lot more LGBT people but this is
probably my best advice check out the
transgender Law Center they have maps
charts lists etc that can help you learn
your rights as a transgender student or
a trans individual
in general i'll leave the link in the
description that's what I've got for
today if you have questions feel free to
ask me in the comments and i hope this
video helps someone goodbye have a
lovely day and i will talk to you later
maybe
