However, some of us do have the serenity we need to accept what we can and to change what needs to be changed or can be changed. Certainly, I have felt that serenity after making some hard decisions and with joy – pursuing the path that felt most right. Life is not easy but I feel lucky to be able to do that in this wonderful country and – this wonderful time. (in spite of all the problems we discuss here, even so, there’s great things about being an American!)

And, thanks J.J. for your congratulations! I have not yet watched the Jenner interview but I look forward to it, the fact that Jenner is a Republican is just icing on the cake for me — who would have predicated that part? That threw people for a loop. I love it when that happens! 🙂

God sure didn’t grant these migrants any serenity to accept the things they ought not to change.

I’m inclined to feel very sad for anyone who can’t lead their lives with some semblance of self esteem and feelings of being just what they need to be. Gays, transgendereds, bisexuals, and all permutations and combinations thereof do not have an easy path. My attitude is to try to understand what they may be dealing with and to wish them well as long as they aren’t trying to mold society or other people in harmful ways.

I feel pity for Jenner. He is obviously not happy and fulfilled with his present situation. Would that intensive psycho-therapy and acceptance by those close to him could provide some peace for him.

That Jenner is being trashed because he is a Republican. How is that different from Thomas Sowell being trashed because he is a Republican? The Progs have their stereotypes and you dasn’t stray from them. They are as intolerant of anyone with different beliefs as jihadi Muslims . It’s both sad and disgusting.

That is a good link also! I dislike the Huff Post generally but yes, they do better on this issue generally. On the other hand, Dennis Prager has written about transsexuals very eruditely and positively. He contrasts us with “genderqueers” and understands the difference between the non-binary political agenda and the actual transsexual condition. In other words, as I have always said, this is not a movement but something you do.

I’ve written more than I wanted. Hope these are helpful.

There’s a special section of this paper attacking “TERFs” who are radical feminists engaged in being against transsexuals and trying to make our lives more difficult – if at all possible. So we have enemies on the left and right. It is a joyful existence!

Really though, one just lives on life as best as one can and continues. I try not to pay too much attention to the TERFs and I try not to pay too much attention to any right wing nay sayers but when people are curious and well meaning, I try and be open when I have time and energy.

http://www.transadvocate.com/clinging-to-a-dangerous-past-dr-paul-mchughs-selective-reading-of-transgender-medical-literature_n_13842.htm

It is a process, and not a one time “surgery”, and often there is more than one surgery. There are many options for the surgeries. Not everyone has genital surgery and the hormones do change the way one’s genitalia looks and functions. Hormones, IMHO, are the actual “sex change”. Or let’s say – radical altering of sexual expression of the genes. I mean, if you come from hairy men, you will be hairy or if like me, you are half Native American – not so hairy. And it goes on, the hormones change just about everything and more over time. In any case, it is a long process and is also legal and social in aspects. This is a profound change. The hormones are crucial and change many things about a person, some permanently — some not. I have written a book about my own transition called _The Testosterone Files_ http://www.amazon.com/The-Testosterone-Files-Hormonal-Transformation/dp/1580051731

Don’t mean to plug it but it might be a way for some, if they are curious, to find out more.

It is about the first five years of my transition, and the decision and events leading up to it. I transitioned in 1989. Mind you, I did not lead a conservative life up to that point, my transition may have made me more inclined to vote Republican since I have gotten plenty of grief from (certain not all) feminists about the book. That’s a long story and for another book! But, I am a changer in more ways than one. The book was written before the political change. In any event, I find people are adamantly opposed or upset by people changing sex on both sides of the political spectrum though now, the left is more accepting. However, there are still very wide swathes of the left that are NOT accepting, certain radical feminists and generally, left wing people want you to not be “binary”. Meaning, the left seems to be biased toward people identifying as more “gender fluid’ and “androgynous” and so on… not like me, a man period. Any way, it is all so complicated! I think right wing folks are often more accepting of someone once they are informed since they don’t have a political agenda about “gender fluidity” to push. But then, trans people get grief from both the left and the right. It is just one of those things.

We are not homosexuals wanting to hide our homosexuality. I was a lesbian for many years and a feminist and so — well, that doesn’t wash. Some of us become gay men! I did not. I would be more PC if I did. I have been called a “knuckle dragging straight man” and that’s a joke but it shows how some on the left don’t like people who are not passing as “queer” but as well, more the norm.

So I am here with all of you. I recommend the book if you are curious about more as I am tired of talking about it publicly though I do. The book might answer some questions. If not, there are so many resources on line that can answer other questions.

This is not for everyone and it is a hard road. But if it is the right one, it is the best. I live my life pretty much like any other guy though I know I will always be different. I know many people who have transitioned who are happy, though yes, some of us don’t make it. Some of us have families that reject us and treat us like dirt. I have heard of people who have families that have held funerals for them. But generally, people do fine and some excel, getting married and buying homes and having fantastic careers. And, yes some are gay in their new sex, which is interesting. I guess Jenner may go in that direction but time will tell.

Being a Republican now and more libertarian/conservative actually makes my life more difficult – since I am an outlier in the LGBT world. But one has to live one’s truth – as I have found. And, often that truth is complicated.

That would make it three….

I don’t think two will be enough.