Thank you Jennifer.

I’m a trans-woman who transitioned in 1993.

I was raised by women, my mom and three older sisters.

There may have also been a genetic factor involved, as I took estradiol for several months and…with no surgery or fillers, poof! It’s a girl!

1995;

A therapist once asked me, “Louise, do you think you were born this way or did your childhood environment 'make' you who you are?(I think you were born this way).”

I replied, having agonized over the subject for decades at that point, “*****, that’s irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that I’m who I am now. Even did a time machine exist, what, exactly, would you go back and 'fix’? And why 'fix' anything?”

I think that the objective is to be reasonably happy, love myself, be my own best friend, and contribute to society by being kind and compassionate, to all living beings.

After having lived in San Diego, I now have been living in Greenville NC, for nearly twenty years. Most of my friends know that I’m transgender, others don’t seem to be able to tell…no one really bothers me about it…

I’ve had, over the last 28 years, all of the abuse, including rape, that all women are subject to. I’ve endured victim-blaming from other women (!).

I’ll also admit that being in the presence of a trans-woman who doesn’t “pass" is more than a bit uncomfortable for me, too.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I can only keep my side of the street clean. It’s up to the other “shop-keepers", to sweep theirs.

My only responsibility is to be kind and compassionate, and not insert myself into another person’s struggle, as I have no idea what the full extent of the battle they fight, inside their minds, is all about.

Just as is the case with people of color, the only way I can learn about their inner struggle is to listen to them, and not project my own feelings/opinions into what they are telling me.

Not that I’m suggesting that you are. I understand your desire to understand, and I applaud you. I’m speaking to a larger audience. You seem to be a kind, compassionate person.

Peace Love Kindness Respect the more you give the more you get 😍 start with yourself 😉 because you deserve it ❤️🙏🏼

--weezi--💜🙏🏼🦄🥳🎉

PS: it occurred to me while I was just in the shower, that body dysmorphia can be quite severe. Your aquaintance may have had a difficult time with seeing herself naked. Decades ago, I did too, but that just made me be quick about it.

Not to mention that when someone is very frightened, they tend to perspire. Fear-sweat smells worse than exercise-sweat..

Another observation is that, when I was having the headshots, as in the above pic, I was convinced that I was ugly. I remember thinking, “This photographer is having me move to different positions because I’m so ugly and mannish looking, he must really be having a difficult time making me look halfway decent.”

--weezi--💖🙏🏼