MALIKA and Sam met when working in a nightclub together in 2016. They were both pre-transition and were best friends for 7 years because they were both in relationships with other people at that time. Sam became single and Malika and her partner had decided to “open” their relationship. They welcomed Sam into their relationship, but within a year, the relationship as a throuple broke down. However, Malika and Sam’s relationship continued. Malika says she has always known she was trans; she came out when she was 13. She is 2 years into her transition. Sam is now 10 years into his transition; he has had a hysterectomy and top surgery. Malika says “she needs every damn thing” when it comes to surgery! She wants breast surgery and sees herself as a “full figure woman”. Malika says they experience judgement due to their physical differences, Malika is built physically bigger than Sam. Sam knows he is a convincingly-passing man and even though he is smaller than Malika he feels like he is the protector of the relationship. Malika finds being out in public sometimes nerve wracking. The couple got married recently - Sam had set up a surprise engagement in a garden, unbeknownst to Malika, he had filled in the marriage paperwork weeks prior so they got engaged and married on the same day! Malika thought she was getting ready for an engagement party when in fact Sam had gathered close family, friends and an officiate and they got married. They want to show the world they're just like any other 'normal' couple and whilst they go against social “norms”, they are still relatable.
