Kali Pawless and Sam Solomon

Kali Pawless and her boyfriend, Sam Solomon, visited the StoryCorps Mobile Booth in Orlando in 2019 to reflect on how their relationship has changed with Sam’s transition from female to male.

“I could have lost my whole relationship and my whole family,” Solomon said.

Pawless framed Solomon’s choice differently.

“You had to choose from who you’re meant to be or pleasing everyone around you,” Pawless said.

This story was recorded at the StoryCorps Mobile Booth in Orlando in 2019. It was produced locally by Bill Johnson at WMFE. Find more stories at wmfe.org or on the StoryCorps: Orlando podcast.

Support for StoryCorps: Orlando comes from Orlando Health and our members (become a member). StoryCorps: Orlando’s theme music is from “See You Letter” by Jordan Foley, a singer-songwriter based in Orlando.