These two sisters came out as transgender at exactly the same time
Two siblings from Cork, Ireland have shared their incredible story after coming out as transgender at the same time.
Jamie O’Herlihy, 23, and Chloe O’Herlihy, 20, have both spent years struggling with their gender identity but never opened up to anybody.
“It’s a cliché to say ‘I always knew’ but I did and I just kept pushing it to the back of my mind”, Jamie, who works as a bartender in Dublin, told Metro.
“Then I started doing some drag shows in the evenings and I realised how comfortable I felt dressed up. I tried to ignore it but it got to the point where when the morning came round I didn’t want to take off the drag because it was a better representation of me than I was.”
Chloe and Jamie before coming out as transgender
She continued: “I tried to ignore it but it got to the point where when the morning came round I didn’t want to take off the drag because it was a better representation of me than I was. So I came out to Chloe and our mum last summer and by November I had come out to all my friends and colleagues.”
It was when the pair were at home in Cork for Chloe’s graduation last summer than Jamie found the courage to come out, and the response she received was definitely a surprise.
Chloe and Jamie now (Image: Mercury)
Within days, the pair had both come out as trangender to each other, and began planning their transitions.
“I always wore makeup and had longer hair. I’ve never really been considered one of the lads, I was always one of the girls,” Chloe, who went by the name of Daniel before her transition, said.
“It’s weird that we were both going through exactly the same thing and having the same thoughts about being trans but just not talking to each other.
“Then when Jamie came out and told us, I was like ‘right this is something you are going to have to face too’.”
The pair say they have both struggled with anxiety as they attempt to adapt to their new life, but say having each other as a source of support make all the difference.
“We talk a lot about our transition and it is great to have each other. We know exactly how each other feel,” says Chloe.
“If I’m out and I get a funny look or comment and I’m feeling anxious I can call Jamie and she knows exactly what to say.”
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