A few days ago, I received a Facebook message that began like this:
I'm sending this message out to all my Facebook contacts. It's old news to some of you. It's going to be surprising to others. But it's something you all ought to know.
I am transitioning my gender from male to female. My name is being legally changed from Doug to Diana.
I'll pause to let that sink in for a moment. You might want to re-read that last paragraph.
Wow. This was not a close friend of mine. Doug was a guy I met a number of years ago when I first began blogging. He belonged to the "MOB" (Minnesota Organization of Bloggers) - a mostly conservative/libertarian group. Doug lived in the 'burbs with his wife and kids. "Is this for real?" was my initial reaction.
As it turns out - yes. It's real.
As far as I was concerned, if Doug-soon-to-be-Diana was happy with the change, I was happy for the almost-Diana. I've done some reading on this topic. Although not terrifically informed, it does seem that some of us are "trapped" in the wrong body. For whatever reason, everything inside screams that we have been assigned the wrong sex. Though I have no idea what this must feel like, I can imagine that it must be painful to walk around daily feeling as if you are having to play-act at being someone and something that you are not.
Yet, I worried a bit about the blogging community. Many are people who embrace fairly conservative social values - way more conservative than my own. How would Doug-almost-Diana's friends react? Would they mock Diana? Reject her? Be cruel?
I am most delighted to report that no one did any of the above. All wished Doug the best as he morphed in a few days to Diana. I so often hear that social conservatives reject transgendered people. It may be true - but not of this group of social conservatives.
Just a few minutes ago, I saw Diana on Facebook. (Yes; now she is officially "Diana.") It seems day #1 as the lady, Diana, went well. I was delighted to hear it!
Doug was a nice looking guy. Diana is an attractive woman. Diana - I've had my days when I wished I were not a woman... Yet, I know that is what I am. Welcome to the club!
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