Meet Elliot Dean. He’s a CrossFit fanatic, a yoga and spinning aficionado, and an Olympic weightlifter living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Oh, and he’s also trans.
“I came out as transgender in December 2013,” 33-year-old Dean tells Outsports. “I immediately told everyone because I have nothing to hide about being transgender.”
“I told my parents and all of my closest friends face to face. I wrote an email to the rest of my family and then shared a post on Facebook to let people I didn’t see often know what I was up to.”
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Almost everyone was supportive, with the exception of Dean’s mother. But, he says, “one person out of a lot of people isn’t a bad deal. I was fortunate to transition with an incredible support system.”
Dean had top surgery in March 2014 and started taking testosterone in May 2014, all the while he did Crossfit, which eventually led him to Olympic weightlifting.
“I have been extremely lucky in my transition,” he says. “I have never had a difficult experience with people being negative. I work for a company that allows me to frequent different studios – CrossFit gyms, spin studios, yoga studios, etc. Before I transitioned I made a lot of bonds with many people in those fields. When I transitioned everyone was super supportive and incredibly happy for me.”
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Dean says it’s encouraging to see so many other trans athletes–Chris Mosier, Fallon Fox, and Kye Allums to name a few–being more open and sharing their stories.
“It doesn’t matter what your gender or sexual orientation is when it comes to sports,” he says. “If you are good at what you do and put in the effort, that is all that matters. People recognize hard work.”
“Just be unapologetically you.”
Check out some shots from Dean’s Instagram page…
h/t: Outsports
Danny595
lol! If that were a real guy, Graham Gremore would get all salty and sneer that he is “performing toxic masculinity” or “enacting gender stereotypes” or some crap like that. But because this is a female, he can’t get enough of that toxic masculinity. “Ooh, how hot! Look at those tats!” It’s bizarre and sad. Queerty loves gender stereotypes and the gender binary, just so long as everything is upside down.
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
I agree.
am_psi
You’re absolutely correct. The hypocrisy is real thick over here. They wouldn’t think of objectifying a woman with topless photos …unless she’s mutilated herself first, then it’s fine.
Danny595
@am_psi – Well said. They have a totally twisted set of values and a twisted way of viewing the world. Why can’t gay people have one website that is run by normal, sane people?
BriBri
A facsimile of a man at best. Be the best facsimile you can be, an unapologetic facsimile.
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
I agree.
Ksb1978
Predictable shitty transphobobic comments above.
Jonathonz
I agree. Someone living their dream and accomplished in their career is trying to share hope with others like them by coming out and the drek has to come out of the woodwork by vomiting their negativity at them. Keep up the good work Elliot! You rock!
mhoffman953
If gender is a social construct, how can people be born the wrong gender?
Sexual orientation exists from birth, why doesn’t gender?
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
It is, when it is convenient for them. It isn’t when it isn’t. Just like it isn’t a mental disorder unless it gets them something free from the government. And now it’s a “disability” when it get them freebies.
Hussain-TheCanadian
You are such a cutie Elliot, much love and support from me to you!!! Keep on smiling, keep on laughing, and dont let insecure little men bother you with their hate, they cant handle your Machismo babe.
Bob LaBlah
Well I’ll say.
Mykey
What a hottie! Kudos to you!