When I was born in the 60s, being gay and in a relationship with someone of the same sex was illegal. Even when England decriminalized homosexuality, social acceptance was still a long way off.
Meanwhile, transgender understanding and acceptance were even further away. I grew up in the era when boys were meant to act in a certain way.
That meant playing out on the streets and only being home for dinner. This created a rough and tumble world for little boys.
And if the other boys perceived you to be different there was every chance they would give you a kicking. So I very quickly became streetwise, learning how to do the act and blend into the background.