Josie Totah, who was previously known as J.J. Totah, has come out to fans in a powerful essay, revealing that she is transgender.
Josie, who you may know from shows such as Jessie, Champion, Glee and many more, had her essay published in Time, which came out yesterday.
“I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy. I know now, more than ever, that I’m finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. I’m ready to be free. So, listen up y’all: You can jump on or jump off. Either way this is where I’m heading.
“My pronouns are she, her and hers. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. And my name is Josie Totah.”
She goes on to explain that “this is not something that just happened.”
She actually told her mum she wished was a girl when she was just 5 years old, but it was only about three years ago that things started making sense to her, when she watched the show I Am Jazz, (which is about a transgender teenager).
“As I learned more information about hormone replacement therapy, I knew that this was what I had to do. I looked over at her in the middle of the show and said, ‘This is me. I’m transgender. And I need to go through this.’ My mother, who is immensely supportive and gracious, said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ Three days later I was meeting with my pediatrician, who referred me to a specialist, who put me on a hormone blocker. From that point on, I hit the ground running.”
She now says that she is “being seen” for the first time ever. Former co-stars are now showing their support for her online.
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