For me, it was never a question of whether or not I was transgender. It was a question of what I'd be able to handle transitioning and having to do it in the public eye. One of the issues that was hard for me to overcome was the fear of that.

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.

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

I don't have the luxury of doing things privately.

It really bothers me when I see people doing my mother in drag. I mean, just imagine if you saw people doing that with your mother.

What mom cares about most is that I'm happy, healthy and enjoying my life.

I felt like one of the boys. My friends were boys. In school I related to boys.