TransMac

Not long ago, I met a young woman that I will call Michelle. She is funny, acerbic, sure of herself. She identified as a lesbian and has a girlfriend.

Recently, Michelle decided to go by “Mac.” Mac is questioning hir gender identity. I have known transgender people before, but none of them have been as close to me as Mac. Mac is my friend, and I adore hir. (Yes, I am going to be using gender-neutral pronouns in this blog. Mac still uses female pronouns, but I am doing this to practice.) Ze is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. A gifted musician. A brilliant conversationalist. A really funny guy.

I am glad and proud that ze chose to tell me that ze is questioning hir gender identity. Still, sometimes I fear that I am overwatchful of my language and behavior. I do not want to offend hir: I do not want to seemingly force hir into the gender dichotomy that language ensnares us with. Mac is very understanding and is still finding hir way in all this. I am just privileged to be invited along on the journey.

Reversal

I mentioned that my eldest sister had made inquiries into how to make me comfortable enough to come out to the family. I told you that I did indeed come out to her recently. She had said that I could call her any time about anything. I have called her a few times since then; my sexuality only came up once. And that was because she apparently tried to? outed me? to the “crazy Baptist sister.” Apparently, the crazy Baptist sister said that she knew but that she never wanted to hear about it. Completely as I had suspected… Now, however, the eldest sister confided to my younger sister and staunch ally that she just “can’t handle” talking to me much. Apparently, she feels that every conversation will inevitably turn to my sexuality. Wow. Thanks, Sis.