Chester Bennington's Child Draven Reveals They Are ‘Transgender’ and Started Transitioning Last Year: ‘Love Is Love’

“In August of last year, I decided to take the path of happiness and being true to myself,” Draven wrote on Instagram

Chester Bennington’s child Draven Bennington is entering a new chapter.

The 22-year-old son of the Linkin Park singer — who died by suicide in 2017 — shared in a Feb. 14 Instagram post for Valentine’s Day that they "came out as transgender" last year and are in the process of transitioning, noting it was "the perfect time to show some love to myself."

“For a long time, I tried to be someone, someone I truly wasn’t on the inside,” Draven wrote in the post. “Ignoring it worked for a while, but continuously coming to the crossroads of being happy or being complacent was one I couldn’t keep choosing.”

“In August of last year, I decided to take the path of happiness and being true to myself,” the TV personality continued. “I came out as transgender and started hormone replacement therapy, and it has been the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

Related: Chester Bennington's Son Draven Tells PEOPLE About Growing Up with Late Linkin Park Singer (Exclusive)

Draven said that they have received support from family and friends, and especially from their mother, Samantha Bennington. “I love each and every one of you who have shown me nothing but love and respect and see me for who I truly am,” they wrote.

“With all the support and love I’ve received, I’ve built the strength to love myself. This is why I’m choosing to no longer hide who I am. Love is love,” the musician concluded the post, adding, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Draven previously opened up about what it was like touring with their dad’s rock band in the Paramount+ series Family Legacy, recalling that the family would spend quality time on the band’s off days. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"One of our biggest things that we would do together [was] to go rock climbing. And it would be me and my little brother, Tyler, and that would usually be our thing. Every now and then, we'd go out and go rock climbing at this place, Hangar 18. It was just one of our favorite things," Draven said.

Draven’s family includes brother Tyler, 18, and twin sisters Lily and Lila, 13, whom Chester welcomed with wife Talinda Bennington, and older brothers Jamie, 28, and Isaiah, 27, from the singer's previous relationship with Elka Brand.

Related: Chester Bennington's Son Films Suicide Prevention Videos 2 Months After Singer Took His Own Life

"We've always had a great bond," Draven said. "I definitely have a closer bond with my younger siblings, just because we're closer in age, but they're all great."

Over the years, Draven has dabbled in fashion and music. When it comes to style, they also shared that they always appreciated their dad's desire to make pieces his own with bespoke customizations. Linkin Park’s albums — particularly 2004’s Collision Course — have also inspired their music.

"I think that album definitely has the most inspiration on my music style, but I also am inspired by having watched [my dad] having fun figuring out the right music," Draven said. "When I started doing it, it was just for fun and all on my own."