A quick note to our audience, the following episode contains descriptions of homophobia

and discrimination against transgender people that may be upsetting to some listeners.

When Vincenzo Bruno was born, he was assigned female, meaning he was raised with

in traditionally feminine gender roles, but something didn't feel right.

As a kid, he would run home from school, go into his room, and lock all five locks on

the door.

Yo llegaba de la escuela en las tardes.

Cerraba la puerta de mi cuarto y buscaba el lápiz de ojos que me habían comprado

para maquillarme.

Maquillarme, o maquillarse, means to put on makeup.

He'd take out his makeup pencil and make his eyebrows thicker, draw himself a mustache

and a beard, and put on one of his brother's shirts.

Yo aprendí a hacer todos los nudos de corbata posibles.

Nudos means nuts, for neckties, or corbatas.

Me acostaba a ver la televisión y me sentía feliz, viendáme como a mí me gustaba.

Vincenzo had never heard the term transgender.

All he knew was that he felt more comfortable with himself when he was free to look and act

like a boy.

Yo siempre supe que era un hombre.

Hacia todo para poder orinar de pie.

También recuerdo que me ponía cerca de mi papá mientras él se cortaba la barba.

Yo intentaba hacer lo mismo.

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