So very sad. The University

Ramona — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 23:33:00 +0000

In reply to The Story of Mike & Christine

So very sad. The University of Michigan had one of the first successful transgender clinics in the country. The program was fairly new--maybe a couple of years into it when I worked in an office next to them (in the mid 70s).

The doctors and staff were amazing and completely dedicated to keeping the clinic alive amid unbelievable and hateful pushback. I saw men and women at all stages of progress and they didn't all make it. A complete psychological profile was the first order of business and many of them had been so scarred by years worth of confusion, hostility and self-hatred they often couldn't be considered good candidates for the surgery that would permanently change them into someone they thought could save them and make their lives better.

Some did make it, but it takes years worth of therapy, both physical and emotional. Female and male hormones don't work overnight. The loss of facial hair takes time. Voice changes take time. Speech therapy is a big part of it. You're seeing transgenders at all phases of their progress and comments on their appearance as they work their way to a complete change of gender are expected, but so hurtful to people who are already at their most vulnerable.

If we ever got to the point where we understood and accepted the need for these changes we might not have to be mourning the victims who give it such a valiant try, only to find suicide the final comfort.

So ... she looks like a guy

Peter Schwartz — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:11:22 +0000

In reply to The Story of Mike & Christine

So … she looks like a guy in a dress

FWIW, I would say this is NOT true. She was an attractive woman based on the pictures I've seen.

Tragic... What does it mean

Peter Schwartz — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:03:56 +0000

In reply to The Story of Mike & Christine

Tragic...

What does it mean that you recognized "her" as a "man"?

Does it mean "she" hadn't fully transitioned?

Does it mean that your internal definition of a "woman" didn't quite include "her"?

I'm not sure guilt is necessary here. Something clicked inside you, and you noticed it.

dagblog - Comments for "The Story of Mike & Christine"

So very sad. The University

So ... she looks like a guy

Tragic... What does it mean