When Massachusetts twins Caleb and Emmie Smith were born in 1998, it was hard to tell them apart. Today Emmie says, “When we were 12, I didn’t feel like a boy, but I didn’t know it was possible to be a girl.” At 17 Emmie came out as transgender, and recently she underwent gender-confirmation surgery. She plays down its significance: “I was no less of a woman before it, and I’m no more of one today.” Her story is part of the National Geographic article titled “Rethinking Gender,” which looks to science to help navigate the shifting landscape of gender identity.

Published December 29, 2016

Read more about Emmie's experience:
In the Operating Room During Gender Reassignment Surgery: Behind the scenes with identical twin Emmie Smith during her medical transition.

When Massachusetts twins Caleb and Emmie Smith were born in 1998, it was hard to tell them apart. Today Emmie says, “When we were 12, I didn’t feel like a boy, but I didn’t know it was possible to be a girl.” At 17 Emmie came out as transgender, and recently she underwent gender-confirmation surgery. She plays down its significance: “I was no less of a woman before it, and I’m no more of one today.” Her story is part of the National Geographic article titled “Rethinking Gender,” which looks to science to help navigate the shifting landscape of gender identity.

Published December 29, 2016

Read more about Emmie's experience:
In the Operating Room During Gender Reassignment Surgery: Behind the scenes with identical twin Emmie Smith during her medical transition.