This is definitely true, but I wonder if something has been lost in the process.

Are you aware of any legal movement in the recognition of gender across state lines?

Oh, I agree, absolutely!

Also you need a copy of your US birth certificate to go to public school...play Little League...obtain a marriage license

Maybe, just maybe...those people out there who have deal breakers could be upfront about them.

I'm pretty tired here but I'll do what I can!

Well...it depends. First off, puberty is a good way to describe it from my point of view - hormones launch a very real puberty with all that entails - massive bodily changes, awkwardness, confusion, personal growth and so on. In the case of trans women, there is usually a large decrease in muscle mass. Skin and…

As a trans woman who is sometimes guilty of the horrible offense of Dating (and more) While Trans, without wearing a scarlet letter, I'm truly glad for this. It sends the right message.

As another central valley native - I'm right there with you! There are liberal enclaves and I live in one, but if people really looked at how the state broke down by area - there would be a liberal strip by the coast, a few other pockets, and most of the rest would be red.

I know it sounds sad and messed up, but I'm still sort of amazed whenever I hear about families being accepting and caring to someone in transition. They must really care for you.

(we have sex with alien lentils, after all)

That's really wonderful to hear. I haven't seen my parents or sisters since I came out, I'm dead to them now, and they poisoned my whole extended family against me. They tried calling my work and outing me to my boss, telling him I was mentally ill...came by my place and screamed obscenities through the window until…

I grew up in the '80s as well, and while I got an idea of what was going on pretty early, things turned dark fast.

I just wanted to say - welcome. I transitioned close to 15 years ago and yes, it was different. I spent many years sort of putting it all behind me, only out to very few people. For some reason in the last year I decided that I needed to share a bit more about my life and this place has been good for me.

Thank you! I think I was just having a low point there - I love my life, the friends and family I've made, and the pain has faded a lot with time. Living well really is the best revenge.

I don't mean to create divisions where they shouldn't exist, but I really do think some of my experience (and Kat's, I believe) is different from people who *identify* as non-binary.

I really did have to experiment to find out what worked for me; I tried wearing it on my sleeve, leaving it unspoken for months and months, and everything in between.

I don't want it to be sexy and attractive because of that pain. It would feel dismissive and fetishy.

I'm not talking about urban vs rural so much. I could have just as easily said Monterey and Isla Vista vs Merced and Oroville. The demographics are different, what drives the economy is different, the political sensibilities are different.

It was a rant about periods actually...kind of oddly appropriate, but still, ew!