'I was born a farmer's son, but I'm going becoming a girl at 16'

A 16-year-old from a rural farming community has opened up about undergoing gender reassignment at the age of 16.

Llyr Jones was born a boy, but always identified as a girl.

Now, Llyr is undergoing a process of gender reassignment in order to become a woman, and the journey is the subject of a BBC documentary being aired tonight, Wales Online reports .

Llyr, from near Aberystwyth, said: “I always knew I was different. Growing up it slowly became very clear to me I wasn’t like any of the other kids.

“I really only realised when I started going to school like when I wanted to take my doll in.

“I have quite accommodating parents who were happy for me to play with anything – but that mentality was different when I went to school.

“This feeling carried on until I was 10ish when I saw a documentary about trans people and then started going on YouTube and saw transgender role models.

“Two of the best things have been knowing you are not alone – it is the best feeling in the world. To know you are not the only one in the area.

“Even a year ago I thought I was the only transgender person in this part of Wales. It is quite isolated and not talked about.

“Also going through the NHS and being treated for it. After going on the hormone blockers and growing your hair out you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror you realise how much you have changed.

“Llyr is comfortable and anyone outside Wales thinks it’s a cool, edgy name. Why should a name match with a gender?

“Even in Wales people get it wrong and automated machines like at the doctors can’t pronounce it – I find it really funny.

“Maybe it will always feel right – if not I can change it.

“I knew for a very long time and the hardest thing was telling people that were close to me.

“Those who matter really don’t care because they genuinely love you as a person.

“To them this thing isn’t going to be a big deal. I have only had supportive people in my life.

“I first told my mum and that is when we started see the GP. Then I told my dad.

“Word came out very quickly at school. I am not a popular person at school but I am well known.

“A letter was sent to all the teachers to let them know. I had stopped doing PE and some teachers felt like this was unfair so they told them.

“I didn’t mind as it saved me having to have the same conversation again and again.

“From the majority of people I have only encountered support and love.”

According to Llyr it took her farmer father a little time to get his head around it.

She said: “You can understand because he is having to learn a whole new concept. He is so supportive but initially wanted to know what it meant.

“A lot of people didn’t know what to expect or how to react but he could see how happy I was.”