'Significant objects throughout my Transition'

2 point 4 children
This was a very popular and funny sitcom from the ’90s. I grew up with it and loved it. A very important person to me throughout my secondary school years, Gemma, told me I reminded her of “Ben”, the dad in the series, so started to call me “Ben”. I loved this, and chose it as my rightful male name.’

Polaroid of me - Ben

BBC Radio 4 Badge

Son in a Million Badge
‘Son in a million’ badge ‘This is a badge from the first birthday card my mum and dad gave me after I transitioned. It meant, and still means, so much to me. They are incredibly supportive. I feel very lucky.’

Lucky Penny Charm
‘Find A Penny’ badge ‘This good luck charm was one of the first made for me by my best friend Izzy when I went into hospital for gender reassignment surgery.’

Tootsie
‘This is a cult ’80s movie, starring Dustin Hoffman. It has always been, and will always be, my favourite ever film. Hoffman won an Oscar for his role as Michael Dorsey, an out-of-work actor who takes on the biggest challenge of his life, becoming Dorothy Michaels, just so he can get a part in a big daytime soap. It’s a fantastic film: heart-warming, hugely poignant, very funny, and so incredibly well written. I first saw it when I was 8 and it struck an almighty chord with me, both due to the almighty challenges he faces becoming “Dorothy” (he says, “she was the best part of me”) and due to the fact that he was a struggling actor.’

‘Son in a million’ badge ‘This is a badge from the first birthday card my mum and dad gave me after I transitioned. It meant, and still means, so much to me. They are incredibly supportive. I feel very lucky.’

‘Find A Penny’ badge ‘This good luck charm was one of the first made for me by my best friend Izzy when I went into hospital for genderreassignment surgery.’

OBJECT NUMBERS; MOT000143, MOT000197

This object currently lives in The Bishopsgate Institute.

Photo by Katie Davies, Fashion Space Gallery, London College of Fashion.