So you want to know more about who I am - okay then - here it goes...

I have done many things in life that make me the person I am today. Some people focus exclusively on the experience I've had with being a transsexual and use that, and that alone, to define who I am. Granted, being a transsexual has had a large influence on making me who I am, but I am the sum of my life - being a transsexual is only a part of who I am, not all of it.

My life includes being a son, a brother, a nephew, a member of a fraternity, a boyfriend, a husband, and a father. I've been the best-man at three weddings. I've played football. I've been a pall bearer at 3 funerals. I've been through Army boot camp (ROTC). I've shot a rifle, a pistol and blown stuff up with handgrenades. I've taken Jazz, Tap and Ballet lessons. I've shaved my head. I've grown a beard and a moustache. I play the bass guitar (poorly). I've drunk cheap booze till I was sick. I've smoked pot & hash, and inhaled. I've streaked & been skinny dipping. I've written my name in the snow. I've gardened, fished, canoed and skiied. I've been to college. I've been in a jealous rage. I've roofed a house. I've collected knives and can shoot a bow. I've taught sunday school. I've made love to a woman I was in love with.

I've workd as grunt labor, an engineer, a manager, a vice president, and a consultant. I've been in a union. I've ridden an airplane, a train, and a ship. I've been on an aircraft carrier. I've seen a rocket launch. I've seen a person die. I sing in the car. I've tried to kill myself. I know secrets that I'll never tell.

I am a daughter, a sister, a niece, a girlfriend, and an aunt. I 've worn a gown to a ball. I've had my nails done. I wear perfume & makeup. I love to go shoe shopping. I've kissed a man and been kissed by a man. I've comforted a friend. I've listened to the rantings of a crazy person. I give to charity. I have friends. I like to cook, and to eat. I exercise. I weight more than I should. I work more than I should. I'm a mediocre housekeeper. I read faster than most people. I have three wonderful kids that I delight in watching grow up. I hate my hair. I want to get a tattoo. I've cried in public at an old movie.

I also know what it's like to have a penis and a vagina. I've been through puberty twice. I've lost family and friends to my choices in life. I've experienced mental and physical pain. I am in debt. I've had several surgeries. I've changed my name. I've been insulted, teased, and harassed. I've been hated. I've been hugged. I've been encouraged, helped and loved.

But most importantly - I am myself. I enjoy life and am happy being who I am. In the immortal words of James Brown - "I feel good". I feel good in the sense that I can feel - I'm not numb to life, and in the sense that it feels good to feel engaged in all that life has to offer - the good and the bad - I celebrate it all.