In high school, Alia Ismail was a dark-haired Arab-American beauty who dated good-looking guys and on the surface appeared to be a normal girl. But, during her senior year, she chopped her long locks into a short crop — the beginning of what would become her transition from female to male. Now, Ismail goes by the name Issa and identifies as an Arab-American queer transman.

Metro Times photography intern Liv Martin captured Ismail’s transition, including his first testosterone injection, the fundraiser his family held in order for him to undergo a bilateral mastectomy and nipple graft (known colloquially as “top surgery” in the trans community), as well as many small but meaningful moments throughout his journey.

This slideshow contains a small fraction of the images Martin captured.

All photos by Liv Martin unless otherwise noted.

Photo by Agnes Fischer.
Issa, prior to his top surgery, sitting on his bed with photographs from his childhood.
Photos from Issa’s childhood.
Issa preparing to perform his first testosterone injection.
Materials for Issa’s first injection.
Issa administering his first testosterone injection.
His grandmother prepared special “boobie” cupcakes for his top surgery fundraiser.
Issa and his on-and-off-again girlfriend share an intimate moment during his top surgery fundraiser.
In order to undergo his transition, Issa is required to see a therapist. Additionally, during the photo-documentation process, a film maker named Lorne Clarkson began filming a documentary about Issa’s transformation.
“Issa Ismail formerly known as Alia Ismail.”
After his top surgery, Issa’s body appears less curvy and more masculine.
Photos by Agnes Fischer. Credit: Photos by Agnes Fischer

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