that adoption post made me realize I haven’t talked much abt my headcanons in regards to Izuku being afab. (I’ve mentioned stuff here and there but i’ve never made a proper post about it) so i’ve decided to write up a headcanon dump of sorts.
some warnings for mentions of body dysphoria and transphobia, although nothing too in-depth.
Izuku is, of course, not his birth name. Although it is the name Inko planned to give a boy, so when it turned out she had one; that’s the name he took up
As such he wasn’t deemed ‘Deku’ until later in life (around the age of 8, when he first started going by Izuku and using masculine pronouns outside of the house)
Izuku has been on puberty blockers for years, but has yet to begin taking Testosterone. Instead, he relies heavily on masculine presenting clothes and exercise designed to build muscle mass (which, happens naturally with his hero training anyway)
He doesn’t experience too much dysphoria, being at an age where most of his more quote-on-quote ‘feminine’ traits can be written off as remnants of childhood.
He is, however, particularly sensitive about his height and voice. Having been bullied for years, he’s developed something of a thick skin, and will generally brush off well-intentioned teasing (especially for those who do not know he’s afab) but it’s always a blow to the ego.
Izuku isn’t either closeted, nor necessarily out. His parents know, as well as his teachers and close friends. He won’t announce the fact that he is trans to every stranger he meets but he makes no particular effort to hide it.
He has some body dysphoria, but is not insecure about being trans the way he is about being quirkless. He generally believes the things people say about his lack of quirk (weak, useless, etc) until he actively starts to work past it. While transphobic insults certainly hurt, they don’t make him doubt or hate his gender.
Aldera made him wear a girls uniform for his first year of middle school, Inko went in every day and sat in the headmaster’s office until they agreed to let him wear a boy’s uniform and go by his chosen name.
This ended up getting him labeled as a problem child by the staff, and is one of the reasons (along with his being quirkless) as to why they turned a blind eye to the bullying he faced in middle school
Despite tormenting Izuku for being quirkless, Bakugo has never insulted him for being trans. He’s not openly supportive, either, and uses ‘Deku’ instead of his chosen name. But he never uses his dead name or misgenders him. (Later in life, when Bakugo mellows out and they become sort-of friends he’s more openly supportive of Izuku’s transitioning)
While Izuku had plenty of fights getting into UA while being quirkless, the school had no qualms with his gender. He was allowed to go by his chosen name and wear a boy’s uniform from day one. Additionally, the school has offered to help with his HRT when he’s ready to begin.
During the training camp arc, Izuku bonds with Tiger (who is also afab) and this is part of (though certainly not the only reason) why he chooses to intern with the Pussycats after graduating from UA.
While Izuku is generally an understanding kid, and gets that mistakes happen, purposely misgendering him or other forms of transphobia is a good way to get on his permanent shitlist. and I do mean permanent.
You’ll likely bring the wrath of everyone who cares about him on you as well. Which is...a lot of people.
After going pro, Izuku is more outspoken about being trans; wanting to be an advocate for trans youth, especially those aiming to become heroes.
He donates A LOT to charities focused on helping LGBTQ+ youth
Izuku said trans rights and destroyed the League of Villains
