Kim Petras
Originally born in Germany in 1992, today Kim Petras lives in Los Angeles. Petras is a singer-songwriter who releases music independently under her self-owned imprint, which is already cool in and of itself. Her label is called BunHead Records. Kim has found musical success both in Germany and in America, but that isn’t the only thing that makes her special.
Before she ever became a known musician, she lived in Cologne, a city in North Germany. Her parents reveal that she knew she was a girl since she was two years old. By 13, she came out publically on German TV. She has fought for the right to begin transitioning at a young age. There’s also a great chance that she is the youngest person to start transgender hormone therapy.
Balian Buschbaum
Before transitioning, Balian Buschbaum was an international athlete. Balian was born in Germany as Yvonne. As a young athlete, Yvonne was a brilliant pole vaulter and won the European Junior Championships at 19. Then, he made it all the way to the honorable Olympic Games. But, sadly, like many other athletes, he had to cut his career short due to an injury.
But we all know that when one door closes, another one opens. Having time to himself, Balian finally understood that he has felt like a man his entire life. In 2008, he underwent surgery. Since then, he has appeared in “Let's Dance,” which is the German version of “Dancing With The Stars.” He continues being a trans, athletic icon to this day.
Chelsea Manning
The first time we heard of Manning's name, it wasn't in the best of circumstances. The year was 2010, and Private Bradley Manning, then 22, was accused of leaking confidential information about the U.S. Army. But if you thought this is the type of controversy a person can not top in his lifetime - you'd be wrong.
Three years later, in 2013, Manning appeared as a woman out of nowhere. Now referred to as Chelsea, she said that she's been feeling like a woman ever since she was a child. After serving 12 years in prison, she was finally released and started a new career, writing for "The Guardian."
Nathan Westling
It can be hard for trans people to know their identity as trans. Instead, they manifest a variety of mental health issues. This was the case with Nathan. Before he came out, he spent many years trying to treat anxiety and depression without understanding what was causing them.
Before transitioning, Nathan was a fashion model for big brands like Marc Jacobs and Saint Laurent. In 2018 he was finally ready to tell the world he's a trans man. He decided to make the transition from Natalie to Nathan and also move from New York to L.A. After his transition, he moved back to New York, where he continues modeling and being handsome.
Zaya Wade
Zaya is mostly known as "the daughter of." Her father is famous basketball player Dwyane Wade. She hasn't had the easiest childhood; her parents got a divorce when she was a baby, and her father remarried in 2014 when she was seven years old. Five years later, in 2019, she and her family attended an LGTB parade that changed her life.
She was still only 12 at the time, but right after that parade, she came out as a woman. In a few interviews she gave, she mentioned that she has felt like a girl ever since she was three years old. Luckily for her, her family supported both her identity and her decision to come out publically.