During her photo shoot with Arianne, Chloé, a 72-year-old transgender woman, enthusiastically posed for the camera and, above all, shared the story of her transition.

“When I was nine, I began to feel uncomfortable with my biological sex—I was assigned male at birth. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t be a girl. I felt ashamed and guilty all my life, and was constantly questioning my sexual orientation. I thought that homosexuality was the only explanation for why I felt like a woman. Discrimination against homosexuals didn’t help.

I’ve always loved women, but my feelings of love were confusing; I mixed up the love I felt for my partner and my desire to be her. This paradox was a source of great suffering.

Seven years ago I could never have imagined being the woman I am today. But things have changed; I’ve begun to express myself and doors have opened. I began transitioning in 2015 when I was 67, and I had my vaginoplasty at the age of 69 (transformation, through surgery, of male and female genitalia). It’s a huge change! Transitioning from male to female is a feat, not just because of the surgery, but in particular because of the rehabilitation process and having to learn to live with a new sexuality.”

As you listen to Chloé discussing sexuality, you hear a woman who is fulfilled, honest with her body and uninhibited. “Few people can talk about male and female orgasms with full knowledge. I can! The first big plus: I no longer have erectile problems and I have multiple orgasms! Even at my age, I still have a great libido. I don’t agree with certain beliefs that sexuality declines as we age. It’s not true, and it’s important to cultivate your sexuality throughout your life.

I feel attractive because I’m proud and elegant, and I’m aware that people find me impressive. I’m constantly being told that I’m beautiful. I’m proud that I’ve liberated myself and I’m proud of the woman I’ve become.”

Photos of Chloé have also been published in Les 3 Sexs magazine and featured in Arianne’s Transition exhibition at the Yvonne L. Bombardier Cultural Centre (Quebec).