Ronie Zuze believes in the power of information. Not only did it save them (Ronie uses the pronouns them/they/their), they are convinced that it can change lives and mindsets.
As the first born, their father was ecstatic when he was told he had a son, they recounted. “I was born with ambiguous genitalia, so doctors assigned the male gender,” Ronie said.
Ronie grew up as a boy until the age of 16 years.
“That’s when my body started developing some female features, despite the fact that I associated myself with being a boy,” the Zimbabwean said.
Ronie’s father panicked and sent Ronie to live in another town with his former wife.
“My father became very confused and fearful of the stigma and discrimination,” Ronie said, “so he sent me away.”
Ronie’s mother cautioned them—she immediately told they must now be a girl—to be careful around other people. “Sleepovers and contact sports were forbidden,” Ronie recalled. Read more via UNAIDS