Ashton

My name is Ashton, and I'm from Columbus, Ohio.

Born and raised here, I've made this place my lifelong home. I’m a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, focusing my efforts on transgender rights. I know that by sharing my story I can help others understand the importance of equality and acceptance.

Beyond that, I have a lot of interests that keep me grounded and happy. I absolutely adore my cat, Teddy—he’s my little companion. I love being outdoors, whether I’m running, hiking, or kayaking. I live near a beautiful park with lakes and trails, so it’s  easy for me to connect with nature. I also love to cook, play guitar and am trained as a yoga teacher.

Love and acceptance

Growing up, my dad was always there for me. We love going to hockey and basketball games together, hiking, and taking road trips. When I told him I was transgender, his first reaction was, “I love you. We’ll figure this out together.” His acceptance and love have been unwavering and, even though he comes from a pretty conservative background, he made the effort to learn and understand who I am and what it means to be trans. His support has been incredible, and he’s even become an advocate himself. He often says, “We’re just regular people, and my son is just a regular guy.” And that’s the truth.

Here I am, happy and proud.

People can be incredibly mean, and there are times when I have felt unsafe simply being me. I’ve lost friends, have worried about losing family, and wonder about being able to pursue my dreams. But I know that there is more love in this world than hate: I just want to be able to live my life free from fear, and simply be who I am.   

Here I am, happy that I know exactly who I’m supposed to be. I am proud of my journey and I dream of a future filled with family, deep friendships, world travel, and continuing to make a positive impact. I dream big - that’s never going to stop. I can’t wait for all that’s yet to come.