I Am The Transgender Woman Facebook Doesn't Want You To See

1 year after coming out as a transgender woman, my body has become worthy of censorship by the social network.

1. This is me before

Pete Doherty

On Valentine's 2015, I came out as a transgender woman to my Facebook friends. By April, I was on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

2. August 2015 - 4 months HRT

Carolina Brown

Some of my pictures were being reported by August. This was the first one. My body was not yet considered a threat though, so the picture was allowed to stay on my wall.

3. September - 5 months HRT

Carolina Brown

On September, two of my pictures for 'The TRANSformation Project' got reported too but given a free pass.

4. December - 7.5 months HRT

Carolina Brown

Early December, my pictures for 'This Body Project' got reported as well but eventually considered not inappropriate.

5. December 18 - 8 months HRT

Carolina Brown

After 8 months of HRT, my picture for 'Through the Lens of Our Bodies' was considered to be portraying female nudity and my account was suspended.

Sarah Beamish

A friend posted the same picture on her wall. It got reported twice but deemed not in violation of Facebook's nudity rules.

6. February 14, 2016 - 10 months HRT

Clare Karasik / Via lensofourbodies.com

2 months later, my account is still suspended for posting this picture. Will Facebook ever change their policies to accommodate for trans bodies like mine? My body has changed but it hasn't become shameful, it has become beautiful.

7. This is me today

Carolina Brown

My name is Carolina.

Today is Valentine's and it's my 1 year coming out anniversary. I might have lost the opportunity to share this moment with my Facebook friends but I'm taking my time off the social network to take care of my mind and my body. The first thing I'm learning to do is worrying less about people's expectations of me and loving myself a bit more every day.

This Valentine's, remember that even if no one else can see you, you still exist. Loving yourself is not an easy job but it's the most fulfilling one; it's the kind of job for which there's an open vacancy everyday. Apply within.

Carolina Brown