An inspiring story of courage and identity has emerged from Chuka, where a young man has shared how he moved from living as a woman to embracing who he truly is.
Born intersex, he was named Beatrice and raised as a girl after his mother believed that doing so would spare him stigma and give him a better chance at fitting into society. For many years, he lived under that identity without questioning it.
However, as he reached adolescence, his body developed differently from other girls. He did not experience periods, his voice deepened, and his physical features did not fully develop as expected. These differences led to confusion, loneliness, and growing awareness that his assigned identity did not reflect his true self.
His path was filled with hardship, including rejection and emotional suffering. With the help of counselling and support from a few family members, he slowly found the strength to accept himself.
At the age of 23, he began transitioning and adopted the name Levy Blessing, choosing to live openly and honestly. Though some relatives distanced themselves, Levy remained resolute. He now speaks out to raise awareness about the challenges faced by intersex people, adding his voice to national discussions on inclusion, rights, and recognition for intersex individuals in Kenya.
