EX TENEBRIS CRESCIT FLOS
ONE YEAR LATER
Thoughts on My First Year As a Woman
December 18, 2004
It has now been a little more than a year since that fateful day (October 31,
2003) when I cast off the last of my male social role. One day less than one
year afterwards, I found myself at a gay restaurant in Palm Springs, California,
with my mother, her cousin, and his roommate celebrating my re-birthday. What
brought me to that point? A few years ago, if someone had told me that on
October 30, 2004, I would be having dinner with my mother at a gay restaurant
in Palm Springs, drinking a Manhattan and having a very nice dinner,
and wearing a very fancy dress on top of that, I never would have believed it.
But as it happened, the event seemed almost routine.
It has been a hectic year. Since my re-birthday, I have been involved in
politics, hiking, transgender group events, and a number of other activities.
On top of that, work has been busier than ever. It is no wonder that I do
not have time to write as many articles as I used to. I may be tired from
doing so much, but I have no regrets. Making the transition at work, and
therefore casting off what remained of my male identity, was perhaps the best
decision I ever made. Although it has only been a little more than a year,
the time previous to my transition feels like it is but a distant memory. I
cannot imagine ever going back.
People around me have been unbelievably accepting and encouraging. My family,
friendship, and work relationships remain intact and many have improved.
Some family members have even said that they like me better now. If not for
this level of support, I wonder how well I would have done. To everyone who
has been so supportive: Thank you so much for all your support. You mean a
lot to me and I look forward to many more years of friendship.
Now entering the second year of my new life, I can look forward to the
possibilities that the future offers rather than dreading what might go wrong.
Life has never been so good.
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