Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Night Life
I don't have the time right now, but eventually I will come back to this post and leave a detailed description of my feelings when I go by the corner of Belmont and Clark late at night. If you're not from Chicago and don't understand how this relates, stay tuned.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
*tear*
Ok, this is a silly post.
So lately, a lot of people I know have been like starting testosterone or therapy or something. It's got me all nostalgic! I remember when I was freaking out about my first shot. Or when I was nervous about chest surgery. Or when I was reading everything I could on transitioning. It's cute! Hah, I say this with complete respect and don't mean to demean anyone. Honestly. It's very encouraging to see more and more people stepping into the ring with you, regardless of where they go after they win their fight.
It is weird though (more for others than for me I'd assume) that I'm like 18 and the one people ask questions, hah. It's odd. And yet, although it may be like weird or annoying for other people, I've got to say it gives me a lot of... gratitude. Toward the people I had in my life who made it possible. You know, I believe it is more about the people surrounding you in a situation like this than you. Because even though you may really want it and really feel ready, this process relies on a lot of other people's approval, whether you agree with that or not.
Ok, now that I'm totally off track! I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I appreciate everyone who is deciding that they need to do this to better their lives. Because I know it's not easy. And I also know that whatever community we form, it's not always an accepting one. So I wanted to take a second and thank every future person who will come to identify in some way with transitioning or being trans or whatever it's called that week, hah.
Hm, guess it wasn't so silly. Well, I never said I don't lie!
So lately, a lot of people I know have been like starting testosterone or therapy or something. It's got me all nostalgic! I remember when I was freaking out about my first shot. Or when I was nervous about chest surgery. Or when I was reading everything I could on transitioning. It's cute! Hah, I say this with complete respect and don't mean to demean anyone. Honestly. It's very encouraging to see more and more people stepping into the ring with you, regardless of where they go after they win their fight.
It is weird though (more for others than for me I'd assume) that I'm like 18 and the one people ask questions, hah. It's odd. And yet, although it may be like weird or annoying for other people, I've got to say it gives me a lot of... gratitude. Toward the people I had in my life who made it possible. You know, I believe it is more about the people surrounding you in a situation like this than you. Because even though you may really want it and really feel ready, this process relies on a lot of other people's approval, whether you agree with that or not.
Ok, now that I'm totally off track! I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I appreciate everyone who is deciding that they need to do this to better their lives. Because I know it's not easy. And I also know that whatever community we form, it's not always an accepting one. So I wanted to take a second and thank every future person who will come to identify in some way with transitioning or being trans or whatever it's called that week, hah.
Hm, guess it wasn't so silly. Well, I never said I don't lie!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Big News
So, I'm finally turning eighteen. This is a big deal for me. Or at least, it should be, hah. I've already done all of the things I was told I needed to be eighteen to do (my hormones, my surgery), but there are still some things. My tattoos are coming up, which is exciting. I can go to strip clubs now, for all of you guys requesting that, haha. You know, the usual.
But honestly, all joking aside, I am excited to finally be considered an adult in this country. And yet, I can't help but get a strengthened sense of commitment to the cause of youth. Like that now that I am leaving this community, I need to not forget what I have gone through, not stop fighting for their voices to be heard.
Eh, or I'm just full of shit! Haha, just kidding. Anyway, hope everyone else is lucky enough to be celebrating their next birthday.
But honestly, all joking aside, I am excited to finally be considered an adult in this country. And yet, I can't help but get a strengthened sense of commitment to the cause of youth. Like that now that I am leaving this community, I need to not forget what I have gone through, not stop fighting for their voices to be heard.
Eh, or I'm just full of shit! Haha, just kidding. Anyway, hope everyone else is lucky enough to be celebrating their next birthday.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Update
Alright, so it's been quite a while. And while I haven't been doing any exciting new physical changes, I have been going to some cool events and stuff. So first off, Spectrum (one of DePaul's LGBT... groups) had a trans night of sorts and I spoke along with three other people. It was strictly a Q and A type of thing, so I didn't have to have anything prepared. So that was nice, got a lot of good questions and had a variety of answers on the "panel" so that was good. Then a few weeks after that, there was a LGBT... conference hosted by DePaul and Margaret and I spoke at that. We had stuff prepared for that, but people asked questions also. Both things were pretty cool. It's still kind of weird to talk about my life like it's something important. Or even worth listening to. Everyone seemed interested though, so I guess it is!
The one thing it does make me excited about is my clinic dreams. For those that don't know, I am hoping to one day have a clinic that is a one stop shop of sorts. I want to have four sections, one for therapy, one for law, one for medicine and one for surgery. The therapy part would obviously have therapists that could see patients and write letters or whatever was necessary. The law part would help not only with the legal matters of the clinic, but also help people with name changes and things like that. The medicine part would be a place where people could come and get good healthcare in a warm, accepting environment. Also, this would be where hormones were prescribed, blood tests done, etc. The surgery part would have a team of surgeons that could perform a wide range of surgeries for both FTM and MTF. The final aspect of this clinic is the research aspect. I feel research is a part that is lacking in the trans community, so I would like a place that is dedicated to changing that. Now, all of this sounds great, but here's the catch-- I want it all to be free. Hopefully I will win the lottery or somehow get a rapid influx of millions of dollars to put toward it. It's ambitious-- it's crazy. But if it happened, it would be amazing. It's thinking about this that keeps me a) involved in the community and b) studying chemistry and all this other boring stuff in school. I know that one day I will be able to be a doctor that can make a difference, even if it's not by doing something on this big of a scale. So we'll see, but all of this speaking at events is making me want it more than ever.
The one thing it does make me excited about is my clinic dreams. For those that don't know, I am hoping to one day have a clinic that is a one stop shop of sorts. I want to have four sections, one for therapy, one for law, one for medicine and one for surgery. The therapy part would obviously have therapists that could see patients and write letters or whatever was necessary. The law part would help not only with the legal matters of the clinic, but also help people with name changes and things like that. The medicine part would be a place where people could come and get good healthcare in a warm, accepting environment. Also, this would be where hormones were prescribed, blood tests done, etc. The surgery part would have a team of surgeons that could perform a wide range of surgeries for both FTM and MTF. The final aspect of this clinic is the research aspect. I feel research is a part that is lacking in the trans community, so I would like a place that is dedicated to changing that. Now, all of this sounds great, but here's the catch-- I want it all to be free. Hopefully I will win the lottery or somehow get a rapid influx of millions of dollars to put toward it. It's ambitious-- it's crazy. But if it happened, it would be amazing. It's thinking about this that keeps me a) involved in the community and b) studying chemistry and all this other boring stuff in school. I know that one day I will be able to be a doctor that can make a difference, even if it's not by doing something on this big of a scale. So we'll see, but all of this speaking at events is making me want it more than ever.
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