D Smith, a star of the reality series Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, has announced he is detransitioning after living as a transgender woman for more than a decade. In a new Instagram post, Smith, who now uses he/him pronouns, explained that he has always tried to follow his heart, 'even when the path wasn’t easy to understand'.
Smith, who has appeared on the show since 2016, wrote: 'Over the last twelve years, I lived my life publicly as a transgender woman. Those years weren’t a mistake. They were real. They introduced me to extraordinary people, profound experiences, and lessons that I will always carry with me forever.'
The star, who directed the 2023 documentary film Kokomo City about four Black transgender sex workers, added: 'Over the past several months, I’ve begun a new chapter in my life. Going forward, I’ll be living and presenting as a man and using he/him pronouns.'
Smith says he is not erasing his past
Smith emphasised that the change does not mean he is 'erasing' his past. 'Living my life as a woman for 12 years showed me the man that I wanted to become,' he wrote. 'My respect and love for the transgender community remain unchanged, and I continue to believe that every person deserves to live with dignity, safety, and compassion and have the freedom to become themselves.'
Alongside the caption, Smith shared a photo of himself smiling while wearing black shorts and a black T-shirt. He continued: 'Life is constantly pushing me to grow. Even when I feel tired, discouraged, or alone, life has given me strength because I chose purpose over fear. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout every season of my life.'
'There is much more to this journey than can’t fit into this statement. When the time is right, I’ll share that story in full. Until then, thank you for allowing me space to continue growing,' he added.
Support from celebrities and a personal reflection on detransitioning
Smith has received an outpouring of support, including from singer Christina Milian, who commented: 'Love you. ? keep always growing.' Pose star Indya Moore, who is a trans woman, left a lengthy comment sharing a 'love letter to you and all Trans people who are moving through their understanding of themselves'.
In her letter, Moore wrote: 'Our experience in transness is so much more complex than just being trans – though our experience is siloed that way – but being trans is just one of the various facets of being a Human being – and being by a human being is glorious reflection of so many ways life exists.'
She added: 'It seems like you know this but I want to affirm that all of our transitions are normal AND SINCERE to every phase of existence that we witness ourselves in and present. You have a wealth of knowledge, and experience of all the different ways it means to be alive free Loving and Loved. God bless you, may you be protected, and free of any harm people whose hearts are swollen with hatred and resentment may target you with.'
Actor Marquise Vilson wrote: 'No matter sibling, please, know that this world needs you, in every form. You are respected, valued and loved. Prioritize your peace & happiness, first.. Sending you love, D❤️.' Author and TV personality Cherry Rogers commented: 'As long as you are happy is ALL THAT MATTERS ❤️,' while artist and activist Dominique Morgan wrote: 'I love this for you.'
One person's experience of detransitioning
In a separate piece, one individual shared their own detransitioning experience: 'For me, the journey of coming out as transgender has been a squiggly path. So squiggly that, in June of this year, I had to go backwards in order to find a new way forward.'
'Detransitioning, which typically involves reverting socially and medically to your gender assigned at birth, has been a vital part of my trans journey. It’s given me a safer space to do the mental and emotional work I know I need to live authentically – work that I wouldn’t have realised I needed without coming out the first time around,' they added.
Smith’s announcement comes as more public figures discuss detransitioning, a topic that remains complex and personal. The star has indicated he will share more of his story in the future, saying: 'When the time is right, I’ll share that story in full.'
