Praise as David tells transgender story to Tubridy
THERE has been widespread praise for North Wexford teenager David Beattie who shared his transgender story with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show last Friday night.
The 19-year-old journalism student told Ryan that he realised he was transgender two years ago, and he has now begun his journey to become female, and will be known as Laylah. He estimates it could take up to five years for the transition to be complete, and he still identifies as male.
Originally from Dublin, David moved with his family to Ballycanew when he was nine-years-old. As he grew older, he became aware of his body dysmorphia issues, and he got into trouble in school on several occasions for changing in the female changing rooms for PE as he felt very uncomfortable in the male changing rooms. His fellow students at Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge, were very supportive of his need to use the female changing rooms, and he said he believed the school authorities eventually turned ‘a blind eye’ to the move.
His interview was described on social media as ‘very honest and hugely brave’, ‘very articulate and confident’ and ‘empowering.’ In doing the interview, he told Tubridy he said he hoped to be able to help others.
Speaking yesterday, Monday, he said he found Ryan Tubridy to be ‘very engaged and sensitive in his approach to tackling the topic’. He found the overwhelmingly positive response as ‘so unexpected’ and ‘a little overwhelming’.
‘I’m overjoyed that it went so well and that people seemed to really connect with me and my story,’ he said.