Funny Moment: a health promoter’s dream

I grew up with a pro-choice mum, and discussing reproductive rights in women only spaces. I never considered my personal relationship to these conversations, it bore no relevance to my sexual life. At my first job where I didn't disclose, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that cishet men discussed their (past and current) partners …

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Old dogs working with puppies to create new tricks

Many people who know about my prior professional work around trans and non-binary advocacy keep nudging me to return to do more. I disengaged some time ago for a number of reasons, some of which are no longer in effect, others have evolved. As I continue reflecting on my self-awareness, I'm growing more okay with …

Awareness moment: hair

I used to have symmetrical body hair. Since lower surgery, there are bald patches from where skin stretched over the course of my donor site incisions healing. I consider shaving the uneven part, though I've yet to do it. I considered getting hair tattooed but ruled that out. I had full thickness grafts put over one …

Awareness moment: sun protection

Whenever I apply sunscreen, I ensure to add extra over my chest reconstruction, and lower surgery donor site scars. And I spray on scalp/thin hair sunscreen on top. I can't recall a surgeon pointing out that scars don't tan and return to their previous lighter colour like skin does. Annually, someone who healed from chest …

RIP fear of balding

I started hormone therapy because I desperately wanted a more masculine body. I worried about losing my singing abilities and losing my head hair. Overall, going on T was in the top 5 best things that's ever happened to me and I made peace with losing my singing abilities a long time ago. I loved my …

Trans specific emergency prepping

Since I've immigrated again, I need to have "the talk" with local people most likely to be able to advocate for me about what I need if I ever wind up unconscious and/or needing medical care but I've disassociated. Mostly, it consists of keeping medical doctors out of my underwear, unless absolutely, immediately necessary, and …

Reflecting on my visit to a concentration camp memorial site

I'm gotten into a committed romantic relationship. As a transient sopo with my health history, this is not a common thing and I'm doing it mindfully. I recently got clarity on what I want longer term from myself, the romantic and family parts of my life when, where, and how I least expected it. I …

She was fine with my medical history but…

Up until I had phalloplasty, when I dated women, they were queer/bi/pan and knew my medical history before our first date. After a series of horrible experiences following lower surgery, I decided to step out of my comfort zone, and date cishet women. I decided I would go on a few dates, sort out if …

Funny Moment: plot twist in grad school

A few years into hormone therapy, I recognised more obvious increases in privilege as a result of transition, my youth fading, etc. But I also knew enough about privilege to suspect I was missing out on awareness of other ways in which my life had gotten easier without my realising. So I opted to not …

Funny Moment: plot twist at the community kitchen

I used to find it jarring to spend part of my day not disclosing, and then spend the other part of my day around people who knew my medical history, or vice versa. I've since become accustomed to this but back then, Fridays were the worse. I spent the day at work where no one …