Bravery comes in many different forms and shapes. It doesn’t need a song to follow it or a grand prize at the end of the journey. Sometimes, self-realization is enough. Here, we will take a look at a true act of bravery in the form of Corey Maison’s journey of transition and how she inspired her father, Eric, to come out of his shell.
All transition stories start somewhere. From childhood, Maison knew she was a girl. At first, fear set in — what if her family rejected her decision? Luckily for her, not only was she accepted (after some long and complicated conversations), but she also inspired her father, Eric. Together, they stood against the world and became quite the celebrities.
But this isn’t where the Corey Maison story ends. It’s only the point of beginning. Today, if you want to learn more about her and follow her journey, Corey Maison Instagram (@coreymaison) is the place for you. But, if you want to learn more about the Corey Maison transgender story and how it all started — keep on reading.
When Did Corey Maison Transition?
Before getting into the rough details, it’s important to get the dates right first. Born initially as male, Corey Maison came out as a woman at eleven years old around 2013. Three to four years later, her father, Eric, drew courage from Corey’s transition to make his own and came out as a man. In just half a decade, they became quite an iconic duo.
Eric, formerly Erica, felt uncomfortable as a woman his whole life, and reportedly "hated being pregnant"
His daughter, Corey, was born male, and also felt trapped inside a body that wasn't hers
At age 11, Corey made the brave decision to let the girl she truly was shine through...
And, well... She looks flippin' gorgeous
What Challenges Did Corey Maison Face?
Nothing is easy, especially when fighting tradition and societal norms. For most transitioning people, coming to terms with the fact that society will view them differently, often more negatively, is part of the journey. The life of Corey Maison before and after the transition has changed quite dramatically.
While she might have feared the response from her parents initially, she did inspire other people around her, especially her father. So, by overcoming a challenge of her own, she gave that much-needed bravery to her father, too. Together, they gave an interview to 60 Minutes, where they expressed the challenges they faced.
"I wanted to make my parents proud of who I am, but I thought that they would not like me”
“The first feeling was relief, the second was terror,” Eric told 60 Minutes Australia in a touching interview
“Fear for what my future would hold... fear for what the rest of my life was going to look like”
"I have five beautiful children, I have an amazing husband and an amazing life"
This inspiring ABC News report on the unstoppable mother-daughter duo will warm your heart:
What Was the Public Reaction?
Opinions differ with each person. Regarding controversial topics like transition, people can be quite polarized. However, in the sea of positivity, the few negative comments were quickly squished. Some of them kept their “traditionalist” opinions, while others embraced the changing times and that it’s okay to be different — to be themselves.
Others, however, were just fine with the fact that people can do what they want with their lives
What Does It Mean When You Are Transitioning?
According to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), gender transition is a very private and individual process. It all starts with a person questioning their gender: ‘What is my gender identity? Am I happy with myself?’ While they seem like relatively common questions, they open up the gates to understanding oneself.
Gender transition isn't just about going from male to female or female to male. It includes a range of gender identities beyond this binary, and individuals transition to match their true gender identity. Usually, transition can occur in three different ways: legally, socially, and medically.
Legally, it means that you are recognized, by law, as the gender you want. Socially, the surrounding people accept you as you are. Medically, it means that medicine is involved. Surgeries, hormone treatment, and other tools are available to people in need (depending on the nation’s laws).