Finding Myself
and Building a Brand
to Help Others
CASUAL REIGN
Finding Myself and Building
a Brand to Help
Others
CASUAL REIGN
I was born in 1996, a time when discussions about being transgender were virtually non-existent – at least in the spaces I grew up in. Still, I always felt like a boy. My mom recently told me that even in nursery school, I rejected my older sister’s girly hand-me-downs, always choosing to wear clothes that were considered more masculine.
Growing Up, Coming Out
Before I turned 12 and started high school, I embraced my freedom of expression. I dressed in ‘boys’ clothing,’ played sports, loved cars and motorbikes, and spent most of my time hanging out with the boys – who always treated me like one of them.
But high school forced me to confront societal expectations, and insecurity crept in. Wanting to fit in, I tried to be as ‘girly’ as possible. I quit football (despite being captain of the team – which I loved), changed my hair, and even adjusted the way I walked and spoke.
I kept this up until I was 21 and met my fiancé, Kyra. By then, I knew I was transgender. I’d realised it at 18 when I first came across the word, but I spent years trying to push it down. Kyra unknowingly gave me the space to be myself, and after about a year, I confided in her. She was incredible – supportive in every way.
Soon after, I told my sister, who was equally supportive, and then my parents. Even though I’d always had a great relationship with them both, I was nervous. Not so much about whether they’d accept me, but about how it might impact their relationships with their more traditional families. Trans people aren’t often spoken about in Indian communities, and if they are, it’s rarely in an open-minded way. I hated the idea that being myself might impact the relationship my parents had with their families.
But my parents were amazing. They supported me completely and took it upon themselves to inform both sides of the family. My wider family has also been so accepting – even my dad’s elderly parents treat me the same, and they always use the correct pronouns and name when addressing me.
Both sets of grandparents were born and brought up in India during a completely different time, so their acceptance was a little bit unexpected for me. I’m grateful every day that they didn’t let religion or other external factors get in the way of their humanity. I’m the same person, after all, as are all trans people. We’re just happy versions of ourselves. That’s the only difference and I wish more people would realise that.
The only uncertainty remained with my mom’s side of the family. Due to their views and the pandemic, I hadn’t seen them in around three years, which was tough, as I’m very family-oriented and we used to be quite close. During that time, my grandad passed away unexpectedly. I couldn’t go to the hospital or see him before he passed, and he never got to meet me as Remy. That was difficult to process, and there are
moments when I wonder what it would have been like if I’d had the chance to see him one last time and meet him as my true self. But I try not to dwell on it. The support from my immediate family and friends is more than enough, and it continues to inspire me to make a positive impact within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Launching Casual Reign
During my transition, I discovered packing boxers. I loved the idea and knew they would give me immense gender euphoria. But every reputable brand was based overseas. My dysphoria used to be crippling, and having to pay high shipping fees for something I hated myself for needing only made it worse.
The lack of accessible gender-affirming products in the UK pushed me to start Casual Reign in early 2023. Based in Birmingham, we specialise in packing boxers and packers.
While working full-time, I spent a year and a half preparing for the launch. When the business was finally ready, I stepped away from the company I had previously co-owned, choosing to focus my experience and energy on Casual Reign.
Prioritising Security
As a transgender man, I know what people who pack actually need. It’s a running joke in the community that Packers have a habit of slipping down people’s legs. To fix this, I designed our boxers with a button-secured inside pocket for extra security. The button is hidden within the fabric, so it doesn’t cause sensory issues or discomfort from rubbing.
Once the designs were finalised, I reached out to a manufacturer – someone I’d connected with in my previous business. After multiple online meetings, we started production.
A lot of packers on the market are too big, creating an unrealistic bulge. I wanted to make something that looked and felt more natural. Perfecting the design took trial and error, but I’m super happy with our design and the feedback we receive is incredible.
While the manufacturer was working on bringing my ideas to life, I started building an online presence for Casual Reign. I had learned the basics from my previous business, so I launched Instagram and Facebook pages, posting content relevant to the LGBTQIA+ community. As our following grew, we finally launched our products – and the response has been beyond anything I ever imagined.
Helping the Community
Casual Reign isn’t just a business; it’s a project close to my heart and I work every day to ensure that we are helping as many people as possible in our community. We donate a portion of our profits every month to LGBTQIA+ causes, whether that’s large charities or individual GoFundMe pages to help people raise money for hormones, surgeries, therapy, etc.
I also started a podcast called The Casual Lounge, which I now co-host with my good friend and fellow trans man, Aaron. Together, we discuss our lives as trans men – the struggles, the good times, the milestones and of course, we offer advice to our listeners, play silly games and try to put smiles on people’s faces. We also invite guests from the LGBTQIA+ community and have conversations with trans people at different stages of their journey. The goal is to share real stories, raise awareness, and build a supportive community. I discovered my own identity through online content, so I want The Casual Lounge podcast to hopefully help others discover their identities, too. I want people to realise that trans people are normal, everyday humans. We’re not monsters and we’re nothing to fear. We just want to be ourselves.
I graduated from Birmingham City University in 2018 with a degree in English and Media, and I’ve always loved writing. I decided to put this to good use when I created Casual Reign, by writing a free gender journal. It’s designed to help people note down their thoughts and goals, acknowledge their milestones and connect with each other. There’s even a page with real quotes from real people in the LGBTQIA+ community to allow users to understand that although it may feel like it sometimes, they’re not alone and they can achieve anything they want to.
I’m also in the process of writing my first book. It’s about my gender journey and my aim is to make connections between my younger self and my current self, to show people that I am the same person I’ve always been. Everything I went through as a young girl remains with me now, as an adult man.
I hope my book will help those who are questioning their identities and help them come to terms with what they’re going through. I also want to challenge the perspectives of those who feel like they don’t understand transgender people, or even those who claim not to “agree” with being trans. I feel as though education is the way forward – many people have never knowingly met a trans person, or have only been exposed to negative portrayals in the media. I want these people to see that we are just as human as everyone else.
I recently found out that I’ve been nominated for a British LGBT Award in the Outstanding Contribution to Communities category. I’m honoured beyond words to be recognised alongside such incredible people. It means so much to know that people see Casual Reign
as more than just a brand – but as a platform for supporting the community and fostering kindness and empathy in society.
Final Thoughts
I want you to know that you are loved and valid no matter how you feel, or how you identify. Embrace what makes you unique, work hard and follow your dreams. The right people will stand by you, and everything else will fall into place.
You’ve got this!
The Casual Reign website: casualreign.co.uk
Listen to The Casual Lounge Podcast