Daughter Comes Out As Transgender, Inspires Father To Make The Same Transition

When Corey Maison was just 11-years-old, she knew inside that she was a girl. However, she was concerned that if she told her family, they would reject her. Corey told 60 Minutes: “I wanted to make my parents proud of who I am, but I thought that they would not like me.”

Little did Corey know, her mother, Erica, was coming to terms with her own gender identity. Four years later, the duo is transitioning to the identity they both identify with. And, her dad — now ‘Eric’ — says Corey’s bravery played a big part in his willingness to be honest with himself — and their family.

Twenty-Two Words reports that Eric rallied up the courage to identify his life-long desire to transition to a woman after watching Corey because the young woman she had always felt like inside. It was a different — and possibly more difficult — scenario for Eric, however, as he had a husband and children to think of.

Credit: @coreymaison

Reportedly, Eric “hated being pregnant” and “used to wish for cancer so I would have to get a mastectomy.”After one year of difficult conversations, testosterone therapy, and a double mastectomy, Eric is happy with the decision to transition. Reportedly, he feels “better than ever” and has been embraced by his family.

Eric’s husband has been incredibly supportive. He said, “I fell in love with the person. She was beautiful as a woman, but equally beautiful on the inside. As long as Eric is happy with the appearance, Eric will be happy with what’s in her brain — or his brain.”

“I have five beautiful children, I have an amazing husband and an amazing life,” Eric said. “My life’s pretty good now. It’s awesome.”

In January of 2017, Katie Couric featured Corey and Eric’s story as part to the Gender Revolution segment for National Geographic. She wrote, “They are moving in opposite directions but toward their true selves.”

It’s not easy to be gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender in today’s world. Though homosexuality is legal in many countries around the world, it is still outlawed in others and remains taboo in many cultures. Fortunately, neither Eric or Corey is alone in their journeys — and that is what matters most.

Watch the video below to learn more:

Meet Corey and Eric Maison, a father and daughter navigating through gender transition together

Credit: @coreymaison

Eric — formerly Erica — felt uncomfortable as a woman his entire life. Reportedly, he “hated” being pregnant.

Credit: @coreymaison

His daughter, Corey, was born male, and felt uncomfortable in her body, too

Credit: @coreymaison

At the age of 11, Corey made the brave decision to “come out” to her family

Credit: @coreymaison

Now, she is happy in her skin

Credit: @coreymaison

She initially feared her parent’s approval, but they were very supportive

Credit: Meg Bitton

“I wanted to make my parents proud of who I am, but I thought that they would not like me” 

Credit: @coreymaison

Credit: @coreymaison

But her bravery inspired Eric to transition, too

“The first feeling was relief, the second was terror,” Eric told 60 Minutes Australia in a touching interview

“Fear for what my future would hold… fear for what the rest of my life was going to look like”

Fortunately, Eric has been embraced by his family and is now undergoing hormone therapy

Credit: @coreymaison

Credit: 60 Minutes

h/t 60 Minutes, Twenty-Two Words