In a recent interview, Tommy Dorfman
discussed her coming out process.
Dorfman, 29, is best known for playing
Ryan Shaver on the Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why.
In an interview with TIME published in
July, Dorfman, who came out as non-binary in 2017, said that she
identifies as a woman. "Transitioning has been liberating and
clarifying,” she said.
In a new interview with InStyle,
Dorfman explained the timing of her decision to come out.
“I had to be in a more secure place
in my life – in my career, financially, whatever – because I
needed to take time off to do it,” she said.
"I had a weird amount of shame and
internalized transphobia that was keeping me from coming out – not
looking perfect enough and not having all my ducks in a row. I wanted
to align my body with my spirit, but I didn't want to disappear for
years to do that."
Dorfman added that she's “never felt
better” after starting her transition.
“I spent 28 years of my life suicidal
and depressed and recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. I
don't think I've ever been genuinely happy until this past year,”
she
said.
“Two weeks into having estrogen in my
body, I was like, ‘Oh.’ It felt like I sank into the earth and
was grounded. I can sleep now. I wake up moderately happy. I felt it
hit, and I was like, 'Let's ride'. And as the testosterone leaves my
body, I feel so much better.”
Doftman also discussed her role models,
including Laverne Cox, Mj Rodriguez, and Jamie Clayton.