When Shaye Scott realized she didn’t conform to traditional gender norms at the tender age of 3, a journey of self-discovery began. Growing up in the Mormon faith in Utah, Shaye kept her feelings about her gender identity buried deep within. It wasn’t until 2019, while on vacation in Laguna Beach, California, that Shaye mustered the courage to open up to her wife, Amanda, about her true self.
“I was nervous to talk to Amanda, but learning about gender dysphoria gave me the confidence to describe something I had never been able to articulate before,” Shaye, now 39, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
A Transition Unfolds
That pivotal conversation marked the beginning of Shaye’s transition. She embarked on hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the gender dysphoria she had grappled with for years. In April 2023, Shaye took another significant step by undergoing facial feminization surgery, making her social transition complete.
“I had more of an issue with myself more than my kids did with me, and that clicked with me right away,” Shaye says. “It’s like I’m living my fears and I’m just projecting that they would feel the same way, but they immediately were loving and accepting.”
A Family’s Embrace
Shaye and Amanda, who had welcomed three children together – Emmeline, 11, Hudson, 9, and Desmond, 6 – found their family dynamic shifting, but in the most beautiful way. The couple’s decision to renew their vows emerged as a celebration of Shaye’s transition, and Amanda’s suggestion to do so came as a heartwarming gesture.
“I had more of an issue with myself more than my kids did with me, and that clicked with me right away,” Shaye says. “It’s like I’m living my fears and I’m just projecting that they would feel the same way, but they immediately were loving and accepting.”
Going Viral: Sharing Their Story
When the couple shared their vow renewal plans on TikTok, where they frequently post about Shaye’s transition, they were met with an overwhelming response. The video went viral, garnering over 16.2 million views. “There are certain rules that our family is breaking, and a lot of people aren’t comfortable with it,” Amanda says. “And then sometimes when we reach that audience, I think, okay, this is great. This is an opportunity to humanize a situation and a demographic that is so dehumanized in a lot of our political rhetoric.”
A Rainbow Celebration
While the couple is still brainstorming plans for the renewal, they envision a special gathering with friends, family, and those who support them. “Nothing too extravagant, but just really a beautiful place for our loved ones to get together. This time around it’s the rainbow variety, it doesn’t have to fit into a tight box,” Amanda says, embracing the vibrant and inclusive nature of their celebration.
@shayescott Renewing our vows after my transition. #vowrenewal #trans #lgbt #married #loveislove #love ♬ original sound – shayescott