Yvo's Story
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Yvo's Story
What was it like?
Raised as a girl, I was a solitary child, mostly spending time in my room. I liked to hang a small notice board on the door that read ‘Do not disturb.’ A romantic at heart, I liked to daydream visualizing myself with a guitar under a balcony, wooing a beautiful lady above. I was in love with the girl next door, as well as the school nurse.
My outlook was colored by melancholy. The outside world, after all, continued to see me as a girl, which hurt me and made me aggressive. When I was 25, I started to dress and , and I changed my name.
Happiness
I have never looked back after, I dont have any regrets about it
Alive
It felt right, I felt like I was alive and well after.
Members
Happiness
Years TransAmsterdam
Yvo's Story
Why I choose Buddism
Buddhism not only helped me, it also taught me how to bring together the pieces of masculine identity I had within me and weld them into one whole.” With the teachings of the Buddha, meditation, reciting mantras, and many retreats, my transition has been a good one.
After completing my inner quest, I returned to the gender team in Amsterdam, which confirmed that I was ready, from that moment onward, to go through life as a man. The visits to the hospital followed in rapid succession, preparing for operations and beginning hormone therapy. During these days, the acceptance and support I received from my parents and friends was a great gift.
Over the years I’ve founded several transgender organizations, among them TransAmsterdam, and I organized the first Amsterdam TransPride. Within these organizations I’ve dedicated my efforts toward building bridges — by providing essential advice to trans folks and others, giving lectures, and organizing cultural events.
“Make your gender into your personal power. Without fear and with the right kind of pride.”