'13 Reasons Why' star Tommy Dorfman reintroduces herself as a trans woman; cousin Andi Dorfman applauds

'13 Reasons Why' star Tommy Dorfman reintroduces herself as a trans woman; cousin Andi Dorfman applauds

Tommy Dorfman is coming out as a trans woman for the first time.

In a Time interview published Thursday, the "13 Reasons Why" actor, who portrayed Ryan Shaver in the Netflix series, disclosed that she has been "privately identifying and living as a woman."

"Today is about being clear about who I am: I am a trans woman. She/her are my pronouns. Tommy is my name "Dorfman went on to say that she had gone through a medical transition as well.

Dorfman, who previously used they/them pronouns, admitted that she was "never not out," but that making her transition public for the first time is a "wonderful" process. 

Gender identity is a continuum, according to the Human Rights Campaign, and some persons may not identify with a single fixed gender or have a fluid or unfixed gender identity. The word "transgender" refers to those who have a gender identification or expression that differs from the sex they were given at birth.

"There has been talking about my body as a result of this medical change, and it began to feel overpowering," she told the publication. "As a result, I recently went to others who had come out as trans for inspiration. There's the version I couldn't actually afford: disappearing for two years and reappearing with a new name, face, and physique. That, however, was not my intention."

Dorfman also announced that she will not change her name in remembrance of her namesake, "an uncle who held me as he died."

"This is Tommy's development. "I'm becoming more Tommy," she remarked, emphasizing that it's not a "transition" in the sense that she's going someplace.

"It's just that I'm myself," she said.

Dorfman went on to say that she will no longer take on masculine parts, which she says makes her "very uncomfortable," and instead will "infuse my trans body into cinema and television."

"I feel like I haven't even touched the surface with my career or job," Dorfman said, "because everything I've done up until the end of last year has been in the incorrect body, and not in my truth." "So much of my job as an actor consisted in concealing this aspect of myself and then bringing a character to life. So I guess I'm really looking forward to playing ladies. Women in general, trans women, cis women People who are femme-presenting and non-binary."

Dorfman said she is looking forward to a future when she is "simply brutally honest," despite occasional feelings of grief and loss throughout her transition.

"That's the kind of guy I'm becoming into."

Andi Dorfman, the star of "The Bachelorette" Season 10, told People Magazine that she is "very proud" of her cousin for coming out as transgender.

Andi Dorfman told the publication, "Tommy has always fearlessly and openly lived life on her own terms, and it's something I have always respected and been in total awe of." "With pride, love, and most importantly, compassion for everyone, she has spoken up for herself and campaigned for the whole LGBTQ+ community."

Andi Dorfman understands "this is only the beginning for her, and I'm so very pleased for her to now be able to live the life she deserves and the one she was genuinely meant to live," despite the "hard and painful road."

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Tommy Dorfman expressed her thanks for other trans women who "broke barriers and risked their lives to live truthfully" on Instagram the same day.

She stated, "Thrilled to reintroduce me as the woman I am now." "Thank you to all the trans women (sic) that taught me who I am, how to live, celebrate myself, and claim my place in the world." 

Dorfman's announcement drew a response from GLAAD.

In a statement, GLAAD's Head of Talent Anthony Allen Ramos stated, "Tommy Dorfman disclosing that she is a transgender woman will inspire so many trans young people and also reminds us that when it comes to queer identification, there is no set timeframe or blueprint to follow."

According to the group, Dorfman earned GLAAD's Rising Star Award in 2017 for utilizing her platform to raise awareness about vital LGBTQ issues.

"She is continuing her work at a time when the transgender population is being targeted in places throughout the country.

"Tommy is a talented artist, and we are excited to hear her stories about the trans community," Ramos added.

Moments like this make you wonder if the typical "coming out" story will ever be obsolete.

The solution is more complicated than raising a rainbow Pride flag and riding off into the sunset on a unicorn parade float, much like the coming-out experience itself. A world in which LGBTQ people do not feel compelled to explain or define their sexuality would necessitate major cultural shifts. SA Smythe, an assistant professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, believes that day will come.