Gender identity

In this photo serie The Clintess, a model singer and influencer from Malta, show her transitioning life to educate and inspire others.

This is a difficult question for many trans people. I’m visiting Kai (37), Roos (20), Max (23) and Mika (31) to listen to their stories.

What’s in a name? A lot, especially to trans people. The letting go of the old, ‘dead’ name is to them an important step in self-development. A long process of thinking preceded the choosing of my own, new name.

By Zinga van der Veen Non-binary: not identifying with the man/woman dichotomy. That’s the best way for me to define my gender experience. In a society that’s structured in a binary way, it’s a considerable journey for people like me to find your place. How do you find acknowledgement and recognitions within and outside of the transgender community? Documentaries like Genderbende, Beste

Will I ever be able to leave behind my transness completely? And do I even want this? How transparent am I and will I stay about my transness?

'When you think of your gender, your culture, and your religion, where do you draw the line between ’knowing’ your identity and constructing it? I often struggle with the thought that my Jewishness and gender non-conformity cannot exist all at once.'

A photo series about safe spaces. Photographer Jip: 'To transgender people, the outside world can feel like a jungle full of uncertainties. Sometimes I experience this strongly. As if I don’t really belong. Fortunately, I know where I can find security and be myself.'

At age eightteen Louis Alves got the “go ahead” to start taking feminising hormones. However, after spending a period in New York, Louis decided not to transition.

The concept of gender dysphoria influences the image of trans persons. The opposite of dysphoria is euphoria. This concept remains marginalised in public debate about trans people. It’s not even in the Dutch Van Dale dictionary.

The older generation grew up at a time when little or nothing was known about the subject of 'being transgender', so you couldn't talk about it. Author Eveline van de Putte wrote down the stories of many of them in the book Nieuwe Namen.

You would expect that after my phalloplasty operation I was living on cloud 9. I was 'ready,' right? The biggest dream I had ever had just come true. Unfortunately, I felt the opposite: I became incredibly depressed.

I’ve never felt entirely at peace with myself or amongst the people around me. For years I didn’t know why, but now I do: they didn’t understand me and didn’t see me for who I was. I didn’t even know who I was myself. I was always attracted to all sorts of people. I found a part of the answer in