This is American model Laith Ashley.
The 26-year-old is in incredible shape, so it’s no surprise he’s on the cover of a magazine.
Except Laith has set a new landmark becoming the first trans man to be photographed on the front of Attitude in the US.
What makes this achievement, and indeed his impressive physique, all the more incredible is that until 2014, he was living as a woman.
Congrats to @laith_ashley, the first trans man on @AttitudeMag's cover! Read my interview with him in the new issue pic.twitter.com/6341qJz3dI
— Paris Lees (@parislees) May 19, 2016
The New Yorker started transitioning just two years ago with testosterone therapy before undergoing surgery in 2015.
Now he has found fame as a male model, and has also become the first trans man to feature in a national advertising campaign.
He was just five when he became aware of the ‘misalignment’ between his body and gender identity, he told the Daily Mail.
As a 17-year-old girl he came out as gay, still not sure of who he was, but told the paper he never felt right being a lesbian woman.
Now after fully transitioning he feels the most comfortable and happy he has ever been.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEC365xNgVU/?taken-by=laith_ashley&hl=en
“For a long time I prayed to God to let me die,” he told Attitude. “I’d think I hate life, hate being trans, hate the world. I was very negative.
“I still struggle with that from time to time but remind myself I’m pretty blessed. I have a family who are supportive. They may not agree with who I am, but they do love me. I had the privilege of going to school. I have the privilege of this experience. I love who I see in the mirror now.”
Massive respect.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEC6jEcNgZS/?taken-by=laith_ashley&hl=en
