Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I'm clearly upset!

Hi Everyone,
This one may be short, we’ll see what happens. The other day I was reading someone’s blog (I’m really sorry I forgot where I originally saw this. If anyone knows, please give credit where credit is due.) and was guided to the following link: Intersex Infant surgical abuse. PLEASE watch the video. It is a sad and aggravating story about a woman that adopted a baby that turned out to be intersex. Not that big of a deal on the surface right. Well not quite so fast. The doctor wanted to do evasive surgery to “FIX” the child and the mother told the doctor not to do any surgery at all. Later, after the mother had taken the baby home, the doctor called them and told them that the babies single testicle may become cancerous and they should do a biopsy to make sure. The doctor CLEARLY went against the mothers wishes and removed the testicle trying to turn the child into a girl. UGGGGGGGG. PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO. I feel that it is very important that everyone watches the video and if you can please pass it on to others.
Why is it so important? Have you heard of Alice Dreger? To quote TSRoadmap , “Dreger is the J. Michael Bailey of the intersex community: someone whose trade is writing and speaking about controversies surrounding marginalized populations.” Read this and maybe you’ll understand. Anyways, its people like this that give make this world so difficult for the intersex and transgender communities. Ugggg. I also believe its attitudes like this "I know better than you" that give doctors like the one in the story above the attidude that they can do anything they want. What do you think?
I said I would keep it short, so I’ll say good night for now. Thanks for listening.
Michelle

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Update and thoughts

Hi Everyone,
It’s been a while since I posted an update here about me. I must say that when I look back 2 years ago and compare were I am now. It’s amazes me at how much better I feel about myself and my life. I also realize that my last relationship was not good for me in any way. It held me from growing personally. It held me back in way to many ways. I was too busy pleasing her ever whim they my soul never got fed what it needed. To Live Authentically! As Lori would say:)

My wife and I have spent this past year becoming closer than I think we were before. She has seen me in my strongest and weakest points in my life. We have shared feelings we never shared before and for that we become closer. We have survived more than many families do, for that we become closer. Once we both lowered our barriers we began to understanding each other better. The ability to talk to my wife heart to heart about all my trans feelings feels amazing. Judgments I used to receive is a thing of the past, instead there is more supportive talk from her and my kids. It may not all be joy in the future, but I think we know have the resolve to work this out.

This past year I have taken more time out to think out things. How the h#$%^ I’m going to pay for anything major during my transition? I’m still not really sure how I’m going to do it, but I know I can’t let that stop me from proceeding in my transition. The progress with HRT has leveled out now. I guess after two years it’s about where it ever going to be. To be honest I am happy with the progress I have made on HRT (38B). I’m feeling more confident when I’m out and I wear it proud at home. Which leads me to my next step in my journey. I’ve actually began this step already, my look has slowly changed from my hair and my body. So in this step the plan is to slowly introduce more fem look to my appearance, which also means I really should look at getting a few more things to wear, hmmm ;). I plan on gradually adding something to my appearance to hopefully dilute some of the shock factor when I do go full time. Is this a wise choice? I don’t know for sure, but I feel I will handle it better that way.
I still have many worries such as total revulsion from someone. Take this exchange (excerpt of email sent to a dear friend):
Recently I went out with my friend to a club. I think this person heard the heeled boots that I was wearing walking across the wood floors. She came running down stairs to meet me in the kitchen where she stared me down with the look to kill. I said hi to her and she replied "Don't say hi to me, I don't know you!!!" I thought to myself, Ok whatever. As I walked toward the back door, she said "Why don't you show all your friends in Kentucky the way you are?", I replied "I did, and they didn't have a problem with it!" in a pleasant tone. With that she replied "Why don't you stay there!!" and I said "Because I live here" and smiled maintaining my pleasant tone. She replied "Oh really!!". I decided it was not worth fighting her over anything and just left. Of course she peered at me through the glass door tell I left.


This is one of many incidents I’ve had to deal with this past year. It’s gotten to the point my wife is getting tired of it and has had a talk with her (Bless her heart). So we will see how the future goes. Whatever happens I’m planning on handling it as I have in the past. That is to ignore it. Well, to be honest I can’t ignore it, but I will continue to return a calm voice to her or anyone else. I will not let them get me to explode and return them totally negative vibe. I’ve been there and it can make someone an ugly person. I guess in this life we still have to deal with negative types, which makes the support from my family so precious to me. I guess they can now see that my reality is also everyone else’s and they are willing to accept that, which has brought a balance to my life.

I’m so excited for my niece. She is getting married after being with this fella for many years. He is a good person and a kind soul. They are planning on having the wedding in Puerto Rico in 2010 which sounds very exciting. I’ve never been to any of the islands so it will be a new experience. I really wish them the best. They have worked very hard and they are good people. See ya in Puerto Rico . Maybe I could get away and work on those tan lines, lol.

Pause: I’m sorry I have to clear my eyes. I’m sitting here with my IPhone watching the 20/20 episode “My Secret Self” while I’m writing this blog. It touched me the first time I saw it 2 years ago, and it still touches me today. I can identify with Jazz so much, actually all the kids I do, but for some reason the interview with Jazz seems to get to me the most.

In my own little corner in my own little chair
I can be whatever I want to be
On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere
And the world will open their arms to me

This is a song Jazz began to sing to Barbara during the interview. I think this is a powerful thing coming from a child her age considering she just decided to sing that particular song. It’s funny that, I use to sing In My Room by the Beach Boys when I was a kid. Actually I still do at time, but for different reasons now. I would spend hours in my room thinking of ways to change myself to be who I should have been. Nothing ever worked of course, but I always hoped that one day it could be fixed. At least today I can stand here and say proudly that I’m a transsexual. The last several years I have been getting out of that room which had become a tomb and it feels so much more natural. If you have not seen this show, see it. You can find the whole episode split up into segments here.

Last Thought:
I sometimes wonder why anyone could not believe that being transgender is not a natural thing of nature. After all, who would go through what most of the trans family goes through just to be authentic to themselves and the world. What cis-man or cis-women would go through the surgeries that we are willing to go through to be authentic. There are WAY too many of us for me to believe that this is some mental illness or that we, in some way are deranged. The world has to change its attitude. Its better than it used to be 20 years ago, but there is a lot of room for improvement. Ok, I better go before another Last Thought comes to me, lol.
Nite all.
Hugs Michelle