Returning to Our Tribe After Gender Transition
I thought I finished transition, but my work has only begun
Previously, I discussed the dramatic psychological growth I experienced during gender transition, especially after gender-affirming surgery. All it took was acknowledging I am transgender and
Language, Our Story, and Identity
How the words we use change our lives
I love language, the way it evolves, the way it changes. I used to, and still do occasionally, peruse the dictionary, looking up the roots
Gender-Affirming Care Breaks Psychotherapy
The earthquake of gender transition releases the Titan inside
I've seen more than my fair share of psychologists and psychiatrists.
As a transgender woman, much of my life was experienced through a clouded window
Creating My Signature Curves
Realizing the finer points of gender through handwriting
The seeds that blossom into identity take root in the smallest actions.
Last Summer, I suffered a debilitating bout of depression as I realized I
And I am telling you: LGBTQ+ people are not going back
How's this for clear, brave, balanced authenticity: We won't support politicians who don't represent us.
When people praise us for being trans, they praise us for our authenticity: Our vision of who we truly are, our courage to live it
Gender-Affirming Care Is Not a Panacea
Stress from dysphoria is only half our trouble
When I traveled to Thailand for gender-affirming surgery, I never expected the best part of returning to the United States would be taking a cold
The Unexpected Peace of Gender-Affirming Surgery
How losing small parts of myself helped me gain vast insight into humanity
On 11 July 2024, I received gender-affirming surgery at Yanhee International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
Although I never wanted to go to Thailand for surgery,
The Last Self-Help Advice I Ever Needed
What would you pay to have a life with all your dreams unfulfilled?
My psychiatrist shook my hand as I left his office for the last time. Within two years of scoffing "people like [me] don't get off
Amethysta and the Child of Destiny
When doing the right thing is still wrong
And...there's a penis. I'm a baby boy!
The words rang in my ears. A boy?
That was wrong. Obviously wrong. One hundred percent erroneous,
Finding My Femininity Only to Lose It
Humans must balance the masculine and feminine - or suffer the consequences
Who are we, really?
Is identity based in our job? Our clothes? Our hair? Is identity derived from our family's legacy - noble or otherwise?
My False Step of Transgender Hope
I was never equipped to be an Alpha Male
The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 rocked United States society to its core. For the first time in recent US history, citizens felt unsafe
A Transgender Retrospective
A quarter-century of poor choices and exceptional support
I am scheduled to travel to Thailand in July for gender-affirming surgery, as I wrote in a previous post. Because I must wind down my
I'm Sorry Mother… Transgender Regret
Have you faced ridicule and continuous coaching not to be who you are? If you are LBG_QIA, then yes, I believe you. If not, I won’t deny, but tell me how?
I’m so sorry that I am hurting you now, all these years after you passed. I have tried so hard to be the son
Success in a Creative World
The benefit of a creative life must not entail the detriment of an adoring audience
This past weekend, I went to a burlesque show directed by my dear friend Julia DiVerdi. The event was almost overwhelming in its innovation. I
Leaving Some in the Tank
The one time you're glad you still have gas
Over the past week, I feel I entered a manic period. I am sleeping less, but I have a sense of energy that surprises me.
Transgender Day of Visibility Is for Us All
You and I both feel pain from social trauma
This past Sunday - 31 March 2024 - was Transgender Day of Visibility. I made a tongue-in-cheek video for the occasion predicting an uproar over
The Cheap Distraction of "Gender Ideology"
Public Service Announcement: your government isn't interested in helping you
I am very angry.
Last week, I discovered the gender-affirming surgery I scheduled for 01 May 2024 is not likely to occur. In short, I
Creative Lies We Tell Ourselves
There's a reason "analytical" begins with the four letters it does
I received my first electric guitar as a gift for my 17th birthday. That's more years than I care to consider before my birthday this
Transgender and Not in Touch with My Feelings
I Still Belong to the Episcopal “No Touch” Massage Club
I am a transgender woman. I have no doubts, but sometimes I wonder if I will ever fit in? So many of my sisters are
The Sting of Being Clocked
or, Being late to the gender dysphoria party
I ate dinner recently with a psychologist friend of mine - whom I will call Fred. Although Fred was my therapist until he retired in