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Thank you, Jess!

Hi Jessica! Congratulations on completing your physical transition journey. It’s all up and to the right from here. Well, much of it, speaking for myself. I’ve been amazed at the emotional journey, not only being more at home in my body and presentation—which has taken me about three years. Also, I’m having to undo and address so much emotional baggage. Ive spent so much energy in life until transition trying to establish and maintain a steadiness, always on guard and afraid. I didn’t know exactly what I was afraid of although now it’s obvious. So good on you Jessica. The grass is Much Greener on this side of the hill!

My grandfather was also a racist. I well recall how he’d complain and use the n-word in the 60s as we saw Black people on TV. But he also just adored Ernie Banks of the Cubs. Go figure. I wasn’t sure how to be around my grandpa. Should I — I asked myself — emulate his behaviors? I don’t think I did. I might have said something less committal like “yeah” when he commented on who he saw on TV. Thankfully none of his prejudices stuck to me. As I grew up and my experiences and exposures to all sorts of people around the US and the world expanded I finally came to understand: all people (and I’m including Russians, Chinese, Palestinians, ...) are simply people trying to get by and live their lives. Many are delightful; some are not. I choose to hang out with the delightful ones.

Beautiful photo, Emma; it speaks volumes on how far you've come. As I'm mostly surrounded day to day by cis-gender folks, I no longer think of myself as being anything other than "Jess", and with that, those around me see only a person named Jess.