Joel Evan Tye graces magazine covers and makes appearances around the country today. But it wasn’t always this glamorous for the native Arizonan. From a repressed, socially abused and confused boy, who refused to speak to anyone for many years, sprang a powerful man who sings, acts, and models professionally. Through spiritual power, hard work and determination, Joel Evan Tye transformed his body, mind and soul into the man he always wanted to be, but was afraid to become. Tye’s story is one of finding self-love and acceptance miraculously.
During Tye’s childhood, he grew up believing that he just wasn’t good enough because he was forced to adhere to gender conditioning. His memories are haunting melodies that still play in his mind and consciousness to this day. Tye must work to continually silence the negative voices and oppressive gender identification messages which still ring in his head.
Tye grew up in a normal family, but his personality traits were far from what most consider the norm. At a very young age, Tye was intrigued by the things that are associated with girls and had no interest in things that were associated with being a boy.
“I was not allowed to have certain things my sister had – beautiful clothes, dolls, jewelry – all of those things girls get, because I was a boy,” states Tye. “I was angry that I wasn’t a girl...I was a boy, and boys were somehow undeserving of certain things just because they were boys, no other reason.”
Out of the anger, Tye developed a mental obsession with obtaining these items labeled as feminine while also consciously and unconsciously building a stronger effeminate character. He would fantasize about wearing beautiful women’s clothes and when no one was around, try on jewelry.
“I somehow developed mannerisms, body languages, and vocal tones similar to a girl. I would take my sister’s things and hide them in my closet. I’ve never been someone to accept what I was told, even as a young child I could never stick to the rules. But of course, those who don’t follow the rules always have to pay the price. In this case it wasn’t from the authority figures of the time, but from my own peers.”
Tye’s parents did try to guide him and warn him about the norms of society and the consequences he might suffer if he continued acting as a girl into his teens. Often teased and taunted by other children, Tye became known as “the boy who talks like a girl.”
Article comments
1 - Jess
Wow! what an inspiring story!
2 - Beau
A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbows will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true