As we finish up the Transgender Week of Awareness then honor all trans women and trans men, we have tragically lost over the years during TDOR, or Transgender Day of Remembrance, it is time for me to add in what I have done recently to be out in public to advance the awareness of who I am in the world.
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, yesterday was the day I
needed to go to the main Cincinnati Veterans Medical Center to visit my hematology
doc, who in turn ordered all of my blood work I needed from all sorts of
providers including my primary doctor all the way to the nurse practitioner who
monitors my depression and anxiety medications. So, the bottom line was I ended
up seeing several people in a short span of time.
Of course, as luck would have it, the weather was beyond
terrible for a mid-November day in Southwestern Ohio. During our trip to a very
congested VA medical center my wife Liz had to battle torrential downpours,
strong winds and even thunder and lightning. Through it all Liz got us there
safely and it was time for me to meet the public as a transfeminine person.
Fortunately, there is a drop off point at the front entrance, so I did not have
to walk far in the rain with my walking stick. As I waited for Liz by the door,
I sat near a group of four women who ignored me completely, so I thought I was
off to a good start. In the distant past, I have caught people staring at me
and worse at that VA, but not yesterday.
In some ways I am stealth these days as I transitioned into
a senior citizen transgender woman. So, I can’t say I add much to the
celebration of transgender people everywhere. Instead of all the people I did
see yesterday, most of them paid me no extra attention except for the intake
nurse who called me Miss Jessie and another volunteer who called me Mam when
she was asking if I needed any help.
As far as the hematology doctor went, he was very nice and accommodating.
He agreed to and set my estradiol blood test and even volunteered to give me
more refills on my prescription. I left with a good feeling about him and if he
ever knew I was transgender, he never said anything about it.
All that remained then was to make my appointment for next
year and wait for the results of all the blood tests I did. It used to be I
would have most of them within twenty-four hours before the ridiculous cuts to
the VA that the Epstein crook made. So now I wait longer.
Now it is time to stand with all of you transgender women and
trans men everywhere to make sure the public knows we have not gone anywhere. Even
if you are still in your closet waiting to come out, be aware there are others
to help you currently out in the world. You can join in the celebration also.
Just remember, the week ends with TDOR, the Transgender Day
of Remembrance. It’s the time we pause to remember those trans people who tragically
died just for who they were. Now, more than ever before, we have to stick together
for change and in many areas such as Ohio, get our rights back.
As far as my wife Liz and I went, we stopped at our favorite
coffee shop for a holiday joe and light breakfast sandwich which was a welcome
sight for me after I needed to miss my breakfast and fast due to the blood
tests. We went through the drive thru and headed home with our treats.
Hopefully, all will turn out okay with my blood tests which
I will be able to share with my daughter’s mother-in-law who always wants to
know how my health is getting along. We shall see. In the meantime, take the opportunity
if you can be a visible transgender woman or man. Except for those of you who
have gone through the time and effort to go stealth in the world. Congratulations
to you too.
I will keep you informed of my trifecta of medical reports
which seem to pile up on me at certain times of the year. Anymore, it is my
primetime to be out and about as a transfeminine person and do my bit for
transgender week of awareness.
