So when I was about 13 or 14, I realized I was attracted to women and then made the assumption that I was a lesbian, and didn't realize that that wasn't the case. It was the fact that I was a man and a heterosexual man. The issue wasn't my sexual orientation, but rather my gender identity.

I wanted to show America a different kind of man. If there was someone like me when I was growing up, my whole life would have been different.

When I realised I was transgender I was so afraid of what my transition would do to everyone else in my life and how they would react to it and would I be rejected?

I've been embraced by a new community. That's what happens when you're finally honest about who you are; you find others like you.

I came out around 25 publicly.

I had felt uncomfortable as a woman my whole life.

People who don't have gender dysphoria aren't going to catch it by watching me dance on television.