My Life Lately (it's Been Good)

[Guest Lee]

So, I've been here rather sporadically for a while now, able to get on to make a post and reply a few times, but I finally got a week of not so busy. Over the Summer I worked full time for the first time and I didn't get home until at least 6 every night, often not until 7, which is pretty late for me. Anyway!

So, I moved about 2 and half years ago from a town in Washington to a small town in Oregon. My father, who is a fundamentalist Christian, was living two hours away from me because of that. I graduated from High School this past June and he came to see it. That was the first time I'd seen him in over two years. When he last saw me, I had hair halfway down my back, I didn't dress very male and I didn't bind. When he saw me, my hair was less than ear-length, I was already binding and I wore men's clothes. He didn't comment on it, though.

Now, this is cool: About a month ago, I sent him an e-mail and came out in it. It was very short. He called me the following weekend (I sent it on Monday. I was stressed that week.) When he talked to me he said he started to suspect something after graduation and talked with his wife (who happens to be atheist) about it later that day. So, basically, my father, who for the past 4 or 5 years I honestly thought would most likely disown me or at least preach at me, did neither and accepted me. In fact, I am so freaking lucky with my family I almost feel bad about it because so many people aren't accepted! Everybody I've told has been fine with it! ... I do feel a little bad about my good luck.

Anyway, different subject now. I'm starting community college full time this coming Monday! I went up to the college today to go to the work study orientation and get my books. That was fun, and I think I have a good chance of getting what I want, which is to work in the chemistry/science dept, since I was a lab aid in High school. Anyway, what I want to say is this: I talked to my advisor there. I told him I was transsexual and that I would be changing my name and starting transition this year. He wasn't negative at all about it. He told me that he didn't think it'd be a problem at all, even though it is the first time it's ever come up; at least since he's been working there. If anyone does have a problem with it and harrasses me, he told me to talk to him and he'll take care of it. I told him when I plan to change my name and since it'll probably get all completely processed and everything during or shortly before Winter break and in between terms, I probably don't need to inform instructors except one for a year-long class. Also, and this is the best part of it, I found out there are unisex bathrooms at the college. At least 5. That anyone can access.

Really, the only problem I can foresee at the college is that I'll be gone for two weeks in October when my mom, my sister and I go to Ireland (it's my graduation gift.)

Hmm... one more, minor thing, then I'll shut up and stop rambling on. The same weekend of graduation I moved back to a tiny, tiny, tiny podunk town in Washington (got a total of three hours of sleep between Saturday and Sunday), but I don't mind because I'm in Washington and when I apply to University the main one I want to go to is in Washington so I'd get in-state tuition which, not counting room and board, is roughly a third the cost of out-of-state tuition. Ok, as promised, I now shut up.

[MaryEllen]

Hello Lee,

Happy to hear that things are going well for you. Congratulations on your accomplishments.

MaryEllen