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Trans(formation): A Collaborative Portrait Series Exploring Gender Identity on Cape Cod
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Xander

In his collaborative photograph, Xander, who transitioned almost six years before, makes reference to the kinds of images of masculinity he grew up idealizing. “I knew I wasn’t going to be the camel man but that was my fantasy. Indiana Jones, Elvis, James Bond. Becoming a man has made me love, cherish and recognize the part of me that is also a woman. It also made me really appreciate women and the qualities I see in the women in my life,” he explains. As a child, Xander always played male characters. “Everyone just thought I was a lesbian. I liked girls but when I was 14 I saw an article about a transgender guy and brought it to my brother who is gay. My brother thought he was handsome and that really impacted me,” he explains. “At 21, I finally realized I really am a man and began researching what to do.”

While his relationship with his wife at the time ended because she didn’t want to be with a man, she supported him through his surgery and transition. “Transitioning was not the easy choice though,” Xander says. “As a butch lesbian, I think I got a lot respect from men and women but as a man, I’m often considered inadequate. I like the way I look now though,” he adds. “I feel more boy than girl but more woman than man,” he adds thoughtfully.

A few years ago, Xander drove across the United States in a camper with his rescue dog, Cedar. “I wanted to share the experience of seeing the country with Cedar. We were on the road for six months and while it was sometimes scary traveling as a trans man, especially down South, I felt stronger after the experience. Today, Xander owns his own home and recently started a residential services business.

Filename
Xander.jpg
Copyright
Julia Cumes
Image Size
6201x4134 / 23.0MB
www.juliacumes.com
In his collaborative photograph, Xander, who transitioned almost six years before, makes reference to the kinds of images of masculinity he grew up idealizing. “I knew I wasn’t going to be the camel man but that was my fantasy. Indiana Jones, Elvis, James Bond. Becoming a man has made me love, cherish and recognize the part of me that is also a woman. It also made me really appreciate women and the qualities I see in the women in my life,” he explains. As a child, Xander always played male characters. “Everyone just thought I was a lesbian. I liked girls but when I was 14 I saw an article about a transgender guy and brought it to my brother who is gay. My brother thought he was handsome and that really impacted me,” he explains. “At 21, I finally realized I really am a man and began researching what to do.” <br /> <br /> While his relationship with his wife at the time ended because she didn’t want to be with a man, she supported him through his surgery and transition. “Transitioning was not the easy choice though,” Xander says. “As a butch lesbian, I think I got a lot respect from men and women but as a man, I’m often considered inadequate. I like the way I look now though,” he adds. “I feel more boy than girl but more woman than man,” he adds thoughtfully. <br /> <br /> A few years ago, Xander drove across the United States in a camper with his rescue dog, Cedar. “I wanted to share the experience of seeing the country with Cedar. We were on the road for six months and while it was sometimes scary traveling as a trans man, especially down South, I felt stronger after the experience. Today, Xander owns his own home and recently started a residential services business.