Although born a girl, freshman Eli Gordon always knew he was a boy. Early on in his life, he realized something very different about himself: he’s transgender.

“When I was five years old, backstage at my dance recital, I looked in the mirror and asked my mom why I looked like a girl,” Gordon said. “My mom would put all these things in my hair and I told her that that’s for girls. I didn’t know I was transgender until I was twelve. This was because I didn’t think that was even a thing.”

Like every person in the transgender community, Eli had to come out to his family and friends.

“I probably did it [came out] in the wierdest way possible, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” Gordon said. “I told a few friends and had those friends spread rumors about me and had people continue to spread it about me until I confirmed it in an Instagram post.”

Gordon added that he is open on Instagram and frequently posts about his experiences as a transgender person.

“I’m also planning to start a youtube channel and document my transition. I have a lot of supporters, including my family,” Gordon said.

“[My mom is] almost over supportive and not at the same time,” Gordon said.

In many ways Gordon feels that “Everything in my life [at home] is just like ‘trans, trans, hey look at you you’re a trans.’’

Gordon is just a student going through high school, like anyone else, and has advice for students and others going through this transition

“It always gets better in the end,” Gordon said. “At one point it’s going to feel bad, and you’ll feel like you just don’t want to live another day, but then one day you’re just going to wake up and feel really happy that you did this [the transition].”