Writing and Photography by Talia Heyman
My competition leotards and prom dresses remain symbols of the girl I tried to be on the outside but never totally resonated with on the inside. As a competitive gymnast, we were pressured to grow long hair and to curl it into a perfect pattern. Despite it never feeling quite right, I went to prom in dresses and continued doing feminine makeup. In fact, it wasn’t until my sophomore year of college until I accepted myself as gender non-conforming. I took symbolic steps such as cutting my hair short and changing my style. Wearing clothes that validate my gender is nothing short of healing.
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