Becoming Ezra Gideon: A transition at 56

Ezra Gideon, 56, a Malaysian trans man from Kuala Lumpur, started transitioning in May 2020. His transition took place during Malaysia's long pandemic lockdown. He keeps a track record of his transition on his blog, “Becoming Ezra,” in order to share his journey with other people that might be thinking of transitioning, especially at a mature age. His willing enthusiasm about sharing his story publicly is rare in Malaysia, where the LGBT community faces persecution from Shariah and civil laws.

Ezra puts on his binder before heading out to his job at a PR company where he works as a director. Emerging as his new self in his professional circle, Ezra is fortunate to have support from his place of work.

Ezra arrives at a government agency where he is coordinating a press conference introducing Malaysia’s pavilion at an international technology and innovation fair. When working with government clients, he still uses his old female pronouns and name.

Ezra's girlfriend, Atika, gives him a lift in her car after Ezra finished his speaking engagement at the press conference.

Ezra’s best friends, Amelia, left, and Arabelle, right visit him for the first time in many months. In addition to being best friends, the trio runs a grassroot NGO that serves the transgender community in Malaysia.

Ezra watches a regional award ceremony for the marketing and communications industry on his balcony in Kuala Lumpur.

Ezra and Atika watch the award ceremony. Later in the day, they are overjoyed when they found out that his company won the award for PR company of the year.

Ezra injects his monthly dose of testosterone, which he purchases in bulk from a vendor abroad with other Malaysian transgender men. He started his medical transition in July 2020 with 1200 mg of testosterone per dose, equivalent to the testosterone level of a teenage boy. This was an abrupt increase from the 80 mg levels he had before starting the transition. He says the changes that his body went through are his “second puberty.”

Atika holds Ezra as he sleeps after a long day of work. She visits a few nights per week at Ezra's place, where they love playing video games together and falling asleep watching movies.