Transgender individuals in rural France face significant challenges

Valerie Montchalin is a transgender woman living in a small village in central France. When she transitioned, some friends turned away from her. Montchalin had hidden her true self for decades, feeling different since she was a child. She feared rejection from her family and community. After marrying and having children, she finally came out to her family at age 48 and moved to a nearby city for medical treatment. Life as a transgender person in rural France can be challenging. Many endure isolation and are judged by their communities. They often have to travel long distances for medical care, and support groups are scarce. Several transgender individuals shared their experiences with AFP, explaining how social media helped them understand their identities. Ines, a non-binary person, and Isaac, a transgender man, spoke about the difficulties they face in their communities. Sometimes, they don't feel safe being themselves and fear not being understood. Many have chosen to move to cities for a more accepting environment. Despite these challenges, there are signs of change. More people in rural areas are becoming open-minded, influenced by younger generations familiar with the internet. Some have started initiatives to foster acceptance and connection among LGBTQ+ individuals. The situation for trans people is slowly improving, but many still struggle with acceptance in their daily lives.