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Author Spotlight: Skylar Kergil
FINDING HIS WORDS
By BRADY JONES
@modernangelo
One of the first things you’ll notice about Skylar Kergil is his big, infectious smile. And as you hear him talk or listen to his songs, you can’t help but feel his genuine spirit behind every word.
But what you can’t see at first is just how brave this guy is.
Transgender people face a multitude of struggles — both within themselves and within the social constructs of the outside world. And yet in the middle of that journey, Skylar, at 18, took a huge and brave step and began documenting his female-to-male transition on YouTube.
Over the last decade, he’s shared his life updates and original songs with his many, many social media followers. He’s become a transgender activist, singer-songwriter, artist, public speaker, and most recently an author.
Skylar’s memoir, “Before I Had the Words: On Being a Transgender Young Adult,” tells more of his growing up, coming out, going to college, finding love, and more — including really open and honest interviews with his parents and brother.
Sometimes the most real journey is on the inside, and the most important discovery is ourself.
“It’s nice to finally feel that maybe my body is trying to adapt to me instead of me trying to adapt to my body, like I was for 17½ years.”
QUICK FACTS
NAME: Skylar Kergil
BIRTH DATE: May 19, 1991
PLACE OF BIRTH: Acton, Mass.