The first thing you notice about David Beattie is his height. At 6’2, he towers over lesser mortals. The next is his stylish dress sense. What is less obvious is that David is an articulate and sensitive 18-year-old, who has recently self-published an autobiography about growing up trans in Ireland.

David is in the process of transitioning but currently still using his birth name and male pronouns. Although many trans people prefer to excise all references to their past identity, David does not feel the need to do that.

“I really enjoyed growing up as David,” he explains, “which is probably strange for some people, so I am happy to be referred to as David. After I have transitioned, I want people to call me by my new name, but it would be a shame to pretend I never was this person.”