The Joy of Chosen Family
Lauren Harrigian is a fearless trans woman athlete living in Logan, UT
I have family in unexpected places. My family comes from running stores, treatment centers, and a past that I carry to the present. Although my transition is an act of self-love, a deliberate choice of liberation and celebration, it is not my biological family’s comfort.
The safety of unconditional love was hard to find until I began working in a running store. Mary hired me as a male then cheered me on from every aspect of my transition, all the way to the finish line of my first race as a woman. The same running store welcomed me into a woman’s running group where I found Julie. When I entered into treatment for an eating disorder, she showed up for visits and has never left.
My friend Cheryl has known me throughout it all. I have discovered "steady" with her in my life. She knows the old and the new me, the person I have always been.
As a trans woman athlete, I face inconsistent welcome as I compete. The glory of personal and professional records can be lonely. This family supports me as I walk and then run towards a new dawn.
If you want to know more about Lauren, check out this GlobalSport Matters video:
AZPBS is currently filiming another documentary about Lauren and her fearless journey.