Living her truth
Josie Totah has gone a long time with everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, assuming she was a gay male. She hid the truth from friends and coworkers. But in an open letter in Time Magazine, the TV star has decided to open up about who she really is and her journey.
"I was afraid I wouldn’t be accepted, that I would be embarrassed, that the fans who knew me from the time when I acted in a Disney show would be confused. But I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy."
It was while watching the TLC series I Am Jazz, about a boy who identified as a transgender female going through a medical transition. Josie told her mom, “This is me. I’m transgender. And I need to go through this.”
With support from her family, she began hormone supplements to stop male puberty. While the fear of becoming male is mostly behind her, there are still fears to face being transgender, acceptance being a big one.
As she goes into her first year of college she will finally be living the life she wants - as Josie to the public, wearing dresses and working to get roles as transgender female or a cisgender female.
https://t.co/Ltz8ttemoB For so long I’ve been trying to hide who I was. And I did it in fear. In fear that I wouldn’t be accepted or loved. I know now more than ever I’m ready to take the step to becoming myself. I am Transgender and this is my story.
— josie totah (@josietotah) August 20, 2018
The outpouring of support has been amazing:
I love you, Josie. I’m so glad you’re able to speak your truth and live as your authentic self. You’re also so damn talented - I can’t wait to write for you again! ❤️?❤️?❤️ https://t.co/OjIoI9Wpb3
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) August 20, 2018
Im so proud to see you living in your truth!! Keep being you? https://t.co/rR8SgfLRs2
— Jazz Jennings (@JazzJennings__) August 21, 2018
So proud of you, @josietotah, for living your truth and being an inspiration to all! There's nothing more FABULOUS than that! ?✨ https://t.co/ykDjC183Hf
— Lea Michele (@LeaMichele) August 21, 2018
Hello Josie ? Welcome ? https://t.co/lHMWR4L5l6
— Gigi (@TheGigiGorgeous) August 20, 2018
We are so happy for you Josie!
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