jennymoon

I had to look up the date when I changed my name to Jaenia. It was in March of 1997 and I remember waffling on the spelling till the day before. I called myself Jen or Jenny but when friends found out I used Jaenia instead of Jennifer they started using the full name (rhymes with Kenya)

From City hall I want to the RMV to change my driver’s license; the woman looked at how I presented myself then smiled and said, “Well, we have to change this too.” And I was delightfully surprised when she, without prompting, changed the M to an F. So be it.

I had started a large renovation months before and should have been done before March but the customer kept adding things; it dragged on into May.

Problem: Everything I had read about breast development proved wrong. After a year on HRT my breasts had gotten rather large despite the fact that my three sisters always complained about their lack of endowment. Yes, it was pleasant surprise but as the weather got warmer the heavy sweaters got more uncomfortable and I started binding myself. Eventually I had to either work alone or leave after checking in every morning. I nervously drove to work in men’s clothing with a driving license that pictured and identified me as Female.

Actually, it was kind of funny even then and, in fact, the least of my problems. Few people accepted me (especially in the trades) and I was given almost no support from friends and family.

I have no regrets about transition. But, I do regret that it took me such a long time to stop being angry at family and friends who refused to accept me; my sharp tongue and refusal to understand exacerbated the problem. It is ironic that my anger at them came from the same inabilities that I loathed. I showed the same failure to empathize and accept them as did their rejection of me.

Live and learn…. I am thankful to live in a time and place where I could transition and I am so very much happier as I am today.