Heartstopper star Bel Priestley has opened up about dating as a trans woman in a new podcast episode, saying that “it’s still really shunned upon”.
TikToker-come-actress Priestley, who plays Naomi in Alice Oseman’s queer teen drama, has reflected on her dating life as an out trans woman. Taking to the Great Company podcast with host Jamie Laing, the 22-year-old revealed that she has never been in love.
“It’s still really shunned upon to date a trans woman,” she told listeners. “I think people still think you’re gay.
“A lot of guys are happy to have a one-night stand with me, not that I do that too often anymore, people don’t want to date you or don’t want to be seen out with you,” she said. “I think that’s a really difficult thing.”
Priestley, who has often been open about navigating her gender-affirmation journey, including documenting her voice feminisation surgery recovery, has always dreamed about being married with children.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get married or find someone. It’s rare for us,” she said. “I always wonder what I would be like if I was born a girl. I’d probably get married really young and have kids.
“I probably won’t have a young love situation because I’m trans… I’ve had so many situations with guys when they’ve been really cold after or not spoken to me after [a one night stand].”
Her past experiences have even left her wondering, “what’s wrong with me?”
“You always end up comparing yourself to these women,” she explained, “who you look nothing like because of a guy who never respected you in the first place.”
Priestley came out as trans at the age of 13, and previously said that being bullied at school led her to want to be a role model for other transgender youngsters.
“I want to be someone for the younger generation to look up to and hopefully inspire. I hate the thought of anyone feeling so alone, like I did growing up,” she told the BBC in 2023.
Bel Priestley’s episode of Great Company is out now.
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