Stories from living a transgender life

[Hazumu]

That same year, Polesky was institutionalized - at the recommendation of a counselor - at Forest Hospital in Des Plaines.

Forest Hospital, which is now closed, required Polesky to wear pink or purple dresses four times a week, read teen magazines and share "girl talk" with his roommate.

"Imagine forcing a little boy to do those things. Imagine forcing a little boy to wear skirts or those little, dressy shoes," Polesky said. "It was traumatic. I still have nightmares about it."