'13 Reasons Why 'star Tommy Dorfman introduces himself as a trans woman

The universe created humans first, says trans activist 2:15

(CNN) -

Tommy Dorfman introduced himself as a trans woman and announced on social media that he identifies with the pronoun her.

"I am especially grateful to all the trans people who walked this path, broke barriers and risked their lives to live authentically and radically like themselves before me. Thank you to all the trans women who showed me who I am, how to live, celebrate me and occupy a space in this world, "he wrote.

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Dorfman, who played Ryan Shaver on "13 Reasons Why," spoke to Time and told the publication, "For a year now, I've been identifying and living privately as a woman, a trans woman."

Tommy dorfman

"It's funny to think of coming out of the closet, because I haven't been anywhere," she continued.

"I view today as a reintroduction to myself as a woman, having made a medical transition. Coming out of the closet always looks like a great revelation, but I never did not come out. Today is about clarity: I am a trans woman. My pronouns are her. My name is Tommy. "

Dorfman added that she wanted the world to see what the transition is like and says that for the past few months she has been documenting her own on Instagram.

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"I've been living in this other version of coming out where I don't feel safe enough to talk about it, so I just do. But I recognize that the transition is beautiful. Why not let the world see what it looks like, "he said.

"So I saved, on Instagram, a diary time capsule, one that shows a body living in a more fluid space. However, I learned as a person who watches the public that my refusal to clarify can strip me of the freedom to control my own narrative. With this medical transition, there has been a speech about my body and it started to feel overwhelming. "

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Dorfman says he will keep his name, which is in honor of his mother's brother who died shortly after she was born.

"I feel very connected with that name, with a guy who hugged me while I was dying," she said.

"This is an evolution of Tommy. I'm becoming more Tommy."

"I love my name, I want to keep my name and give my name new life," he continued.

"I'm also very proud of who I was. I think it's important to acknowledge that. I'm proud of who I've been for the past few years."

Tommy Dorfman spoke to Time about her identity as a trans woman.

GLAAD responded to the news Thursday with a statement, saying Dorfman's public announcement will inspire many young people.

"The fact that Tommy Dorfman shares that he is a transgender woman will inspire many young transgenders and also reminds us that when it comes to queer identity there is no specific timeline or roadmap to follow," said Anthony Allen Ramos, Director of GLAAD Talent.

"Tommy received the GLAAD Rising Star Award in 2017 for using his platform to bring attention to important issues affecting LGBTQ people, and he continues that work at a time when the trans community is facing attacks in states across the country. Tommy is a talented artist and we look forward to the stories he will tell about the trans community. "

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