Frances (65), from Seattle, says she always knew she was transgender. She started dressing in female clothing at the age of five or six. Retired from sales and marketing, she says she is out “to those I care about.”

Mharie (83), in Eugene, Oregon, used to draw her curtains so that neighbours wouldn’t see her dressed in women’s clothes while her wife was out. A former mechanic, Mharie has been retired since the age of 65.

Jodie, in her fifties and now living in Klamath Falls, Oregon, stands beside lockers at the bowling alley where she used to store her clothes, so that she could unobtrusively fetch them whenever she needed. 

Mailee (56) used to dress in something feminine after her wife left for work and before the sun rose, then drive to work herself. On the way, if she could pluck up the courage, she would stop in the carpark of a hardware store and walk around imagining she was shopping. Then she would change back into men’s clothing in her truck, and proceed to work.

Barbara Anne (74) applies lipstick in her car in Kent, Washington. She first came out in 2002, and until 2010 would change into her dress and wig in her car when that was difficult to do elsewhere.

Amy (76) sits in the home in Seattle, Washington, that she shared with her wife, who has now passed away. Amy was married for nearly 50 years and lived as a man. Her wife tolerated her dressing at home, but didn’t want her going out dressed as a woman. Amy came out at the age of 73.

Margo (64), from Oakland, California, started dressing at around the age of five, but remained closeted until she was 59. She would rent cheap hotel rooms to change into women’s clothes.

Barbara Anne (74) first came out in 2002 when her wife helped dress her up as a woman for Halloween. When she looked in the mirror, she says she fell in love with herself. Until 2010, Barbara Ann would change into her dress and wig in her car when that was difficult to do elsewhere.

Amy (42) from Tacoma, Washington, used to wear her female clothing under baggy sweatpants when going out, and change in an alley near the club she was heading to.

For 18 years, Gina Marie (60) From Seattle, Washington, went to work in masculine clothes, but would put on high heels and walk along a nature trail in the early morning.

World Press Photo of the Year Nominee,

Crying Girl on the Border