Benjamin Melzer Explained

Birth Date:20 January 1987
Birth Place:Germany
Known For:Modeling, transgender activism
Height:5’ 10”

Benjamin Ryan Melzer[1] is a German model, transgender activist, and blogger.

He has modeled in German magazines Der Tagesspiegel, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Der Spiegel, and Focus.[2]

In April 2016, he became the first transgender man in Europe to appear on the cover of a men's fitness magazine. This was the European edition of Men's Health.[3]

Biography

Melzer was born and raised in Oer-Erkenschwick, a suburb 40 minutes's commute from Düsseldorf.[4]

In 2016, he starred in a modeling shoot for Diesel and About You alongside Dutch model and trans woman Loiza Lamers.[5]

The same year, he starred in PETA's "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign alongside Lamers.[6] [7] [8]

Gender transition

Mezler stated that he knew there was "something special" about himself at 3 years of age, but lacked information to classify this as childhood gender dysphoria. After watching a documentary film about transgender actor Chaz Bono when Melzer was 18, he realized he had been experiencing gender dysphoria.

Five years later, at age 23,[9] he decided to begin his medical transition, which included masculinizing hormone therapy and 11 surgeries. His entire family was supportive, including his 89-year-old grandmother, and his mother, who came to the clinic every day to bring him food as he recovered.[10] He has called top surgery "the most important surgery for all trans men"; right after his healing process was over, he went to a public pool and jumped into the water with just shorts on, which he described as "the best".

Mezler and his previous female partners have always identified as straight. He has dated his fiancé Zara from at least 2010 to 2017; Zara had always seen him as a man, even prior to his medical transition.

Regarding his satisfaction after his transition, he stated, "I'm totally comfortable now and I listen and try to understand things more. I've calmed down and feel very, very different...I don’t think I have to prove anything. Look at me, I'm happy and I have a girlfriend. I just live my life".

He has criticized the way trans people are portrayed on German TV, describing their appearances as "a little freaky, over the top or completely depressed". He stated, "I want to show the world that I’m just a normal guy who happens to be trans".

Personal life

Melzer's hobbies include surfing, wakeboarding, and cliff jumping.[11]

He lived in Munich, but more recently resides in Recklinghausen.

One of his goals is to make the modeling business more accessible to transgender models. He also expressed a desire to star in a Calvin Klein commercial.

He married German model Sissi Marie Melzer in 2023.[12] [13] [14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 2016-03-23 . Benjamin Melzer: "Men's Health" mit Transgender-Model auf Cover . 2024-10-03 . Der Spiegel . de . 2195-1349.
  2. Web site: 2016-03-17 . Meet the Transgender Model Making History in Europe . 2024-10-03 . NBC News . en.
  3. Web site: 2016-02-02 . Ich war früher mal ein Mädchen: Wie aus Yvonne Ben wurde . 2024-10-03 . bild.de . de.
  4. Web site: Phillips . Jessica . 2017-07-26 . Benjamin Melzer: meet the transgender model changing the industry . 2024-10-03 . Square Mile . en.
  5. Web site: Weiss . Suzannah . 2016-11-14 . This Diesel Campaign Features Two Trans Models . 2024-10-03 . www.refinery29.com . en.
  6. Web site: 2017-08-02 . Benjamin Melzer and Loiza Lamers become the first transgender models to land their own PETA campaign . 2024-10-03 . Mic . en.
  7. Transgender Models "Loiza Lamers" and "Benjamin Melzer" PETA ('I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur') 2017 Ad Campaign . en . 2024-10-03 . vimeo.com.
  8. Web site: Dan . 2017-08-02 . Transgender Icons Proclaim They'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur . 2024-10-03 . PETA UK . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2016-02-10 . He's Got It: Meet Europe's first transgender cover model . 2024-10-03 . India Today . en.
  10. Web site: 2016-02-10 . Trans People On Dating, Love And The Importance Of Being Yourself . 2024-10-03 . HuffPost UK.
  11. Web site: Trans-Mann als Covermodel für Men's Health . 2024-10-03 . www.siegessaeule.de . de.
  12. Web site: Tharrett . Matthew . 2023-05-20 . Mason Gooding's back tat, Andy Cohen's birthday suit, & Kevin McDonald's crop top . 2024-10-03 . Queerty . en.
  13. Web site: Instagram . 2024-10-03 . www.instagram.com.
  14. Web site: Interview with Sissi and Ben Melzer . 2024-10-03 . DE PURELEI . en.