Welcome to The Purplepaw Blog, where we unpack the complexities of gender, identity, and what it truly means to be human—without the academic jargon (okay, maybe just a little, but only the fun kind).
Curated by Amethysta Herrick. Ph.D., this space is where science, philosophy, and lived experience collide to challenge assumptions and spark new perspectives. Whether you’re here to explore your own identity, stay informed on the latest research, or just enjoy a deep dive into the human experience, we deliver thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly honest discussions. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about who we are and how we navigate the world. Dive in, stay curious, and let’s rethink identity together.
The Big Problems — Post-Gender Transition Edition
I have Big Problems, and you should, too.
In November, 2022, I wrote a list of Big Problems. But I don’t mean the Big Problems involved in completing my gender transition.
I
The Vegas Transgender Affirmation Project
I thought it was just a vacation…it turned out to be an education.
At the risk of writing what may appear to be a travel diary, I will recount the events of the past weekend. Not because the
Why Are You? — Episode 4 with Rae
Episode the fourth of the podcast that dares to ask why you choose to be who you are
Announcing episode 4 of the “Why Are You?” interview podcast! My conversation with Rae has some great beautiful insight into sound, voice, and how they
How I Hate the Word “Trans”
For a chemist, I sure seem to get confused easily
Today I read a news article discussing the ongoing debate about “trans” people. The word “trans” has become common parlance in the media to indicate
Why Are You? — Episode 3 with Zach
Episode 3 of the podcast that dares to ask why you choose to be who you are
Announcing episode 3 of the “Why Are You?” interview podcast! My conversation with Zach has some great heartwarming moments from a lovely human being.
REFERENCES:
Why Are You? — Episode 2 with Shannon
The second episode of the podcast that dares to ask why you choose to be who you are
Here is episode 2 of the “Why Are You?” interview podcast! My conversation with Shannon has some very deep thoughts…and a few good jokes!
Transgender Meh: Finishing Before I Was Done
Gender transition is a long process, although not for the reasons I thought.
A rather ordinary event occurred this week: I received an amended birth certificate from the State of California. It took almost five months, but I
Why Are You? — Episode 1 with Cypress
The first episode of the podcast that dares to ask why you choose to be who you are
I am absolutely ecstatic to bring Episode 1 of the “Why Are You?” interview podcast to you.
My interview with Cypress is both informative and
Beyond Visibility: Transgender Makes the World a Better Place
Carl Jung liked transgender before it was cool.
Carl Jung liked transgender before it was cool.
I am currently working through Week One of the Artist’s Way course from Julia Cameron
The Butterfly I Am
Be Open Writing Contest — Poetry (New Year Vibes)
I write poetry about once every two years. Sometimes a word, a phrase, will tumble out of my pen and connect with others, but it
You Gotta Know Yourself Before You Can Love Yourself
Who do you love? Probably not strangers.
Ask anybody — would you like to be happy? With the exception of one chemistry professor I knew (who was rumored to have said she “didn’
One Thing Abnormal About My Transgender
In a maelstrom of normal, the eye of oddity is queerly quiet
In the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Flower Drum Song” lies a campy little ditty entitled “I Enjoy Being a Girl.” Laying aside the questionable social
What Would My Father Think of His Transgender Daughter?
All the things the dead cannot say directly
I turned 53 years old recently. The event was met with few accolades — at least from me. I try my best not to be celebrated
The Ineluctable Wisdom of Cat Posters
Making Self-Care Normal Since…well, never…but maybe I should I start!
Although I came to adulthood in the 1980s, I grew up as a child in the 1970s, with all its attendant oddities and idiosyncrasies. As
The Myth of Fragility
Relying too much on physical strength reveals metaphysical fragility
Boxing — as a sport — consistently fails to capture my attention. I don’t want to watch people get punched in the face; I don’t
The Limbo of Gender Identity
In between Patriarchs and Infants lie geeks who transition gender
There are two realizations I made this week. First, I am not a woman. Second, I am not a father, and — by extension — not a
The Critical Role of Gender in Evolution
The next thousand years depends on you. Don’t mess this up.
Humans ascribe a level of agency to our behavior misaligned to our role on Earth. The truth is Nature is unconcerned with our grandiose thoughts
Evolution of the Identity
When Darwin was wrong, he was pretty dang wrong.
When I published “How Fuzzy is Sex?” earlier this week, it hadn’t occurred to me I was opening a three-part series. This is the
How Fuzzy Is Sex?
The answer has to do with more than the last time you shaved your legs.
Last week, I reviewed several conversations I had in the past four months. Although reviewing past work helps me plan future work, its greater value
The Invisible Transfemme
At least I’m not running around nude, amirite?
In the movie “The Invisible Man,” Claude Rains plays chemist Dr. Jack Griffin, who must wear full body wrap — hat, goggles, bandages, gloves, coat, boots