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.

From Wrecked-Up Friend to Transgender Gem

Something about slicing blocks with a pink lightsaber makes me feel like a true transgender woman.

When the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset was released to market in 2020, I was sorely tempted to buy one. Recently, two very good

Gender Transition: You Are Who You Have Always Been

“Who could ever love a beast so hideous and ugly?” Princess Fiona, “Shrek”

In the movie “Shrek,” Princess Fiona is cursed to change from human to ogre form when the sun sets. She lives in constant fear that

Finding My Name: From Childhood Pain to Transgender Pride

“May I have your name?” asked the Fey Prince. “Yeah, sure — I’m not using it,” answered Amethysta v1.0.

In myths of the Fae — also known as Sidhe, Tylwyth Teg, or Ælfe — faeries commonly take advantage of humans by twisting a turn of phrase

Your Identity Is Non-negotiable

Purge your life of people who choose not to support you in being who you are.

I came out as a transgender woman in August, 2022 — six weeks after I had begun gender-affirming hormone therapy. It took several days to complete

Pain as Self-Care: Why Transgender is Not a Fetish

“I thought I’d gone to the limits. I hadn’t. The Cenobites gave me an experience beyond limits. Pain and pleasure, indivisible.” — Frank the Monster, “Hellraiser”

A recent conversation spurred me to consider my childhood and how it informed my current transgender experience. Like many transgender women, I was diagnosed with

Transgender? Get Ready to Blow Up Your Life!

When I was a child, my friend Jason and I dreamed up a simple method to accomplish the impossible.

Being children, Jason and I expected the laws of physics to be defined by scientists, not revealed by observing Nature. This convenient loophole made ignorance

Labels — the Ultimate Weapon Against Queerness

I remember where I was when I learned the word “ratify.”

It was Summer. The house where I grew up needed the sewer rooted out, and my father did it himself. I remember standing by the

Queer or Not, Identity is Life

Who you are and how you express your identity is vital — literally your tie to health and life.

In a previous article, I discussed the Ayurvedic definition of health as “being established in oneself.” Health is not focused simply on the body. Health

Overcoming my Hidden Transphobia

I admit, as a transgender woman, I still struggle with transphobia.

This statement may sound ridiculous — how could I be afraid of myself, especially when so much of my writing has been a celebration of the

Ayurveda and the Transgender Soul

Being true to your deepest identity is good for your health.

As members of the LGBTQ community, we understand this tenet to the core, especially when we face discrimination. A friend of mine once commented that

Science vs. The LGBTQ Community

Do you remember household cold fusion devices that promised clean, unlimited power virtually for free?

What about education targeted to our objectively-defined abilities that would unlock our potential as human beings? (WARNING: unlocking your potential as a human being is

The Transgender Brain: Its Development and Operation

The gender-critical crowd dismisses the transgender experience as delusion.

Generally, conservative rhetoric invalidates LGBTQ experiences by disregarding each as a voluntary — and erroneous — choice. The rhetoric demands that sex, sexuality, and gender follow solely

Coming Out for the Holidays: A Transgender Winter Solstice

My mind thrives on making connections.

My mind thrives on making connections.

Finding symbolism in everyday life is a sure-fire way to turn life not-so-everyday. I am Pagan for precisely this

Inclusivity: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Thought leaders bleat the importance of inclusivity today, particularly if it results in publicity.

Do these leaders mean what they say? Do they understand what they say? Or is inclusivity a non-concept intended to obscure a deeper issue?

I

Things That Actually Matter

Today I received a letter from a friend of mine named Charly.

I have known Charly seven years at the time of writing; his wisdom helped me through a very difficult situation with work years ago and

Baby’s First Transgender Black Friday

Since I love to come out swinging, let me state for the record that I hate the term “trans baby.”

The implication that I did not know my inner feminine until my “egg cracked” is ludicrous. Most of us knew since we were children that

The Evolutionary Advantage to Transgender

When the weather is fair, I like to run barefoot.

I typically run about three miles around my neighborhood, which has concrete sidewalks. When people see me running barefoot, they tend to ask about it.

The Perfect Gender Transition

So far, this isn’t it

I woke up this morning needing a good cry. I let it happen, because I’m glad of being able to feel emotions after a

Operation Name Change: Mission Accomplished

“You are being served with documents…”

In a previous article (published six days ago at the time of writing), I discussed the process and ramifications of changing my name to one

Existential Discomfort: Where Transtrenders and Christians Agree

When I was young, I wanted to be Adam Ant.

My Adam Ant phase was during the 1980s, and I went to school one day in cream-colored pants pegged above the ankle, a Members Only