Watch this brave London school student perform a poem about being transgender

Zack, 15, wants to help other young trans people 'feel less alone'
Amy Ashenden3 February 2017

An incredibly brave London secondary school student has created an inspiring poem about being transgender.

Zack Richards, 15, identifies as a man and wrote the poem to help other transgender young people ‘feel less alone’.

He said creating the poem allowed him to express the gender dysphoria he has experienced.

Supported by his teachers at Woodside High School in Wood Green, Zach recorded the poem as part of the school’s LGBT History Month celebrations.

“It was emotionally challenging to write the poem but it was also freeing," he told the Standard.

Zach said creating the poem was 'freeing'
Woodside High School

“As I wrote it I felt as if all the bad memories escaped. It was empowering to perform the poem because actually saying the words out loud helped me to really confront them.

“There have been times when I have felt very alone. I hope by sharing this, others may feel less alone and not doubt themselves.

“My school does a lot to celebrate equality and diversity and through marking events like LGBT History Month, it prompted me to think about the person I want to become which made me reflect on the sort of help I needed.

“My school is really open about offering support to anyone and that’s really important.”

He added that his message to other young people experiencing gender dysphoria is that: “It’s almost certain that you’ll go through a period of self-doubt and that’s fine.

“Doubt doesn’t make you less than who you are. Take every ounce of courage you can find and use it to shape yourself into the person you want to be.”

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