My story is familiar to many people of my generation (I'm 58). I first dressed as a girl in secret at home from 14 when opportunity arose, but the 70’s & 80’s were less enlightened times, long before the Internet appeared, so I repressed my feminine side not really understanding it, fearful of what people’s reaction would be, not realising there were others like me. In those days, I had never even heard of the term trans, I just knew I was different to others, particularly at an all boys high school, but never dared tell anyone of my secret.

As the years passed, I eventually had a family, and only occasionally found opportunities to be the woman I knew was somewhere inside. However, I opened up to my wife about 10 years ago, and she was OK with me dressing at home, but only when our daughters were out. I saw various documentaries on TV about trans people, slowly realising this was me.

The real turning point was going to Leeds Trans Pride in March 2019, just to see what it was about. By chance I bumped into a friend of a friend, and opened up to her about my female life. We met a week later to discuss it properly, and she provided me with contacts for trans groups in Leeds, so I knew this was the moment where I could actually do something rather than just think about it. I found the courage to contact them, and nervously went to my first support group meeting in May 2019, which was an amazing experience – finally to meet others like me.

Meeting other trans people for the first time gave me the confidence to start going out as Cathy, making new friends and finding the courage to come out to friends, family and work colleagues over that summer, all of which were nerve wracking moments. Everyone was supportive and I was soon able to be Cathy at work.

The relief at coming out as my true self was intense, I hadn’t realised how unhappy I had been, and other people noticed the change in my personality.

I try to support others where I can, as I realised how invaluable that is when you feel alone and isolated, which is often the case for trans people. Being part of the LGBT community has given me a sense of belonging, as I have finally found somewhere where I fit in, after drifting through life for many years.

Hopefully my story will give people an insight into what life is like for trans people, as people are often a little afraid of what they don’t understand, but we are just like everyone else, with the same fears, hopes and dreams. We just want to be accepted as who we are and live our lives accordingly without any fear or discrimination, as no-one can be happy if you are not living your life as who you truly are.