My name is Muse and I’m a trans, nonbinary cam model on Chaturbate, which is where I was first inspired to cam in 2018 after I saw a model I looked up to camming there. It wasn’t until 2019, however, that I really decided to take camming seriously and made it my full-time job. Now, almost five years later, I have started transitioning, changed my pronouns and started taking testosterone — and I still have the same amazing fans that started out with me.
Since first starting to use they/them pronouns in 2019 and then recently transitioning medically as well, it has not always been easy. Coming out and transitioning while broadcasting to thousands of people every week can be challenging. However, I have been able to foster a supportive, queer community that has seen me transition to a happier and healthier person. So I’m here to give you some tips on how to experiment with your pronouns while camming.
You can make changes at whatever pace works for you and whenever you are comfortable making them.
TRANSITIONING
I want to start off by saying there is no right or wrong way to be trans or nonbinary. There’s no wrong way to express your gender. Period. It’s important to break out of the boxes of what’s “normal” and to just be your true authentic self.
Back in 2019, I started collaborating with a cam model who was using they/them pronouns, and we had a conversation about gender that really made an impact on me. I had never really felt like or truly identified as a woman and decided I wanted to test out they/them pronouns. I slowly started introducing the idea online, first by describing myself as nonbinary, then putting it in my camming profile, and then changing my gender officially to “trans” from “female.”
I first came out to my supportive community of fans and followers, then slowly came out in my personal life, and now, a few years later, I have started to medically transition. I didn’t see many nonbinary broadcasters when I first changed my pronouns and was scared that there wasn't a place for me in the cam world, but that turned out to be far from the truth.
COMING OUT TO YOUR ROOM
I was very scared about initially coming out as trans to my cam room and my community. I knew it was something I had to do for my mental health. I could not continue to keep putting up a facade and pretending to be someone I was not.
When I first changed my pronouns, the response from people was overwhelmingly accepting. I had already worked to build this queer audience, and they knew me as pansexual. I already had fans who were women, trans and people who didn’t feel like they fit in the straight category; they said they were on board with it and accepted me for who I am.
FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU
Remember that gender is fluid, so don't be afraid to experiment if you don’t feel comfortable with labels others might have placed on you. If you are feeling like you don't identify with your assigned gender, your name or even your hair, consider changing things up. Test out a different name and try it out with the people you trust. Does it give you gender euphoria? Do you feel overwhelmingly good when people call you this new name? Then adopt it.
You can make changes at whatever pace works for you and whenever you are comfortable making them. I have people come into my room and say, “Wow, you are nonbinary. That’s so cool. Do you mind educating me on what it means to be nonbinary?” It allows me to connect with fans and other people even more. Over time, people have become way more understanding about gender and sexuality and transitioning. Fans and others will come into my room and ask questions, especially if they are questioning their own gender. I’m always happy to talk with them about it. It’s a hard topic to research, so talking to someone going through it can be very helpful.
ANTICIPATING BACKLASH
Coming out as trans and changing my pronouns wasn’t always easy, however. At first, some of my fans were confused, and some didn’t understand what it means to be trans. Too often, people think there is only one way to be trans because of portrayals in the media. So while I initially encountered some resistance, with random people sometimes coming into my room to say I’m not trans, my fans stuck up for me, pointing out my pronouns supportively. And now that my platform allows me to choose my exact gender in the site options, people are learning there is more than one type of trans person.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT
Like almost everything else in life, do what makes you happy. If you are experiencing gender dysphoria, then think about making changes that will benefit your mental health. Find others who have experienced the same thing and interact with them. There are trans cam models aplenty in the community like myself who would be willing to answer questions and interact.
Overall, even though it was a little rocky in the beginning, my experience with coming out as trans and changing my pronouns has been a very positive one. It might have been a little scary at times, but it has been so worth it. I hope I’ve helped some other nonbinary and trans people see that they have options; you can make changes at whatever pace works for you and whenever you are comfortable making them.
And you can always feel free to message me. Camming has given me so much, like an amazing online community of friends, a successful career and a support platform to help me explore my gender. I am happy to give back any way I can.
Muse, otherwise known as IWillBeYourMuse, is a non-binary Chaturbate cam model and content creator. Follow them on Twitter @iwillbeurmuse for frequent updates and links to their socials, or visit Chaturbate.com/IWillBeYourMuse.