Mikko and Jean Luc

Mikko met Jean Luc back in 2015, in a dance studio where Jean Luc trained and taught dance. Mikko, a singer and burlesque performer, would rehearse at the same studio. “Our first kiss was electric and intense,” says Jean Luc. “Mikko was going through a divorce at the time, and was surprised by the instant chemistry.”

“We have both dated cisgender people in the past – however, being with another trans person allows us to spend less time educating them about gender and more time just being in a relationship together,” Jean Luc continues. “We understand each other on a deeper level and get to just be ourselves.”

Jean Luc says their relationship has taught them about patience, consent and compassion, and that they try to bring joy to one another. “We both always say to each other ‘I choose you’, which is important to hear and say out loud as well as ‘I love you’. We also say ‘Don’t fuck it up’, which keeps us accountable.”