Sogto Ochirov

Ochirov was born in Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia. He was assigned female at birth based on the appearance of his genitals and named Tsyregma.[7]

When he was 13 years old, at a school medical examination, doctors sent him for additional examinations when they found out that he did not have a period. So by the age of 16 in Chita, an intersex variation was found in him - partial insensitivity to androgens.[8] And he was sent to the capital of Russia for further medical support. Where he had an operation to remove the external male genital organs and prescribed female hormones.

But due to male gender identity and gender dysphoria, at 23, Sogto decided to change his gender to male and continue to live as a man.

For religious reasons Ochirov decided to consult with the supreme shaman Bair Tsyrendorzhiev in Ulan-Ude about which name to choose. The shaman said Ochirov must be named Sogto.[2]

At the age of 24,[2] he learned about the intersex community in Russia and then began to openly talk about his story in order to help other intersex people and find other intersex people in the Zabaykalsky Krai.[5]

To people with intersex variations, Sogto says: “Accept yourself for who you are. You can't run from it, you can't hide. Just live happily!"[2]

• Sogto Ochirov on Instagram