Transitioning at age 72 liberated me. But I still struggle after decades of hiding from my wife.https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/09/transitioning-at-age-72-liberated-me-but-i-still-struggle-after-decades-of-hiding-from-my-wife/Daniel Villarreal (16 Sep 2025)
"The history between us haunts from time to time, because, yes, for 40 years, I lied. I lied to be something I'm not," says Elle Melodises*, a 77-year-old woman who began her medical gender transition just five years ago.
Melodises (who goes by Melody) met her now-wife, Grace* at age 29 and decided to marry her after three years of dating, believing it would help Melody "be a man." For some years, it worked, Melody said, but over time, it gradually began to feel impossible for Melody to keep up appearances.
Ever since Melody was a child, she felt like something wasn't right. Around age 4, her aunt's housekeeper told her, "You are not a boy. You're a girl," and Melody had no idea why they had said it. Nevertheless, the comment stuck with her. Around age 7, Melody put on her mother's stockings while playing alone and thought they felt "fantastic." And for as long as she can remember, she wanted breasts.
Melody always chose female doctors and friends throughout her life because she felt like they understood her better and made her feel more like she "belonged." In her early 20s, she began dating a female model, but wasn't particularly interested in having penetrative intercourse with her — instead, Melody wanted to be her. Melody also started secretly wearing pantyhose under her slacks every day at work. Privately, she wondered what was wrong with her...---------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a long story, but it's worth the time to read.
Love always -- Jessica Rose
