Member-only story
Similar to other human beings, we transgender folk follow a long path to hopefully discovering our true selves.
Even though we face a difficult and often cruel journey to arrive where we are heading, others are not immune from going through similar yet different struggles. It is my belief that even though cis women and men are just born female or male they have the chance to hopefully grow in life to be quality women and men. I see the same struggle with transgender women and men as they grow into their authentic selves.
Connie and I used to refer to them as “trans nazi’s” back in the day. They were the ones who seemingly held the number of gender surgeries you had or didn’t have against you. More than likely another version of “I am more Transgender than you” movement. How sad is it any of us have had to go through anything like it.
Early Cross Dressing Picture
Jessie Hart Collection
My earliest remembrances go back to my first visits to “transvestites’ mixers” in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Out of all the different types of cross dressers in the room, the ones who perhaps influenced me the most were the ones I called the “A” Listers. The attendees who were impossibly feminine and attractive. Unfortunately, they were the biggest bitches in the crowd. I didn’t want to act like them, I just wanted to look like them. With the help of practice and a timely makeover, I finally earned my right to go out with them and party after the mixer was over.
