Approximate reading time: 3 minutes

Infancy (Birth to 1 Year)

Mei and Kelly, both assigned female at birth, show typical infant behaviours. They experience physical arousal such as vaginal lubrication, which their parents understand as a sign of overall physical contentment, often occurring during feeding or when they feel warm and comfortable.

Early Childhood (1–3 Years)

As toddlers, Mei and Kelly begin exploring their own bodies. They discover their genitals and touch them, which is a normal part of their development. This self-stimulation provides comfort and tension relief. Their parents respond neutrally, understanding this as a natural stage of self-discovery and body awareness.

Middle Childhood (4–10 Years)

During these years, Mei and Kelly’s experiences begin to diverge. Mei continues to develop a feminine understanding of her gender and body. She occasionally asks questions about body changes, which her parents answer openly.

Kelly, however, starts expressing discomfort with being identified as a girl. At age 7, Kelly voices a desire to be recognised as a boy and shows interest in traditionally masculine activities and clothing. Kelly’s parents, though initially unsure, seek guidance on how to best support their child’s gender expression.

Early Adolescence (11–13 Years)

As Mei enters puberty, she experiences typical female developments, such as breast growth. She has her first menstrual period at 12. Mei’s school provides comprehensive sex education, which helps her understand and cope with these changes.

Kelly, identifying as a transgender boy, faces a challenging time as his body begins to show signs of female puberty. With the support of his parents, Kelly consults a healthcare professional who discusses the option of puberty blockers to delay female puberty, aligning his physical development more closely with his gender identity.

Late Adolescence (14–18 Years)

Mei navigates her teenage years with a typical progression through female puberty. She experiences a range of emotions and social situations typical of this developmental stage, including her first romantic attractions and relationships. Mei has not yet decided whether she is attracted to females, males or both. Rather than feel pressure from her groups of friends to decide, She decides to wait and see how she feels later.

Kelly begins hormone therapy at 16 with parental consent, after being on puberty blockers. This treatment brings his physical appearance more in line with his male identity, easing his gender dysphoria. He experiences a deepening of his voice and other male secondary sexual characteristics. Kelly feels sexually attracted to a friend on his soccer team. They go to school dances and hang out on weekends.

Early Adulthood (19–40 Years)

Both Mei and Kelly enter adulthood with a strong sense of their sexual identities. Mei pursues relationships and experiences that align with her bisexual orientation. Kelly, now legally an adult, continues his gender-affirming treatments and lives confidently as a transgender man. He becomes an advocate for transgender youth, sharing his journey and the importance of support and understanding through all stages of sexual development.