Story:

Everything started when I was little, but back then, I didn’t know that gender change was possible. I was in the fourth grade of elementary school, around 9 or 10 years old, I can’t remember exactly.

We were on a school trip to Bjelolasica, and one evening there was a contest for Mister and Miss Bjelolasica. I remember there were many schools, not just ours, but from other places as well. I always dressed like a boy, that’s how I looked, but I was actually a girl. My teacher at the time told me, ‘Go and sign up for Mister so we can see if anyone notices you’re a girl…  Because everyone in my school knew I was, but the students from other schools didn’t.

And of course, I agreed to be a boy and compete for the most handsome boy on the trip. There were many of us, but I stayed strong and introduced myself to everyone as a boy, even my teachers and friends addressed me as if I were a boy, so that other students and teachers from other schools wouldn’t suspect. There was a parade and smiles and poses… And I don’t even remember what else, and then came the judging. I couldn’t believe that I, out of all those kids, won and became Mister Bjelolasica! When I went to get my crown, I remember they asked me on the microphone what I wanted to be when I grew up – and I instantly replied: WHEN I GROW UP, I WILL BE A MAN!

That was my first coming out, and since then, I knew who I was and what I had to be – and that’s who I am now.