Transitions: Patti & Julia's story

[Shana A]

Transitions: Patti & Julia's story
By DIANA FISHLOCK, The Patriot-News
February 28, 2010, 12:00AM

http://www.pennlive.com/specialprojects/index.ssf/2010/02/transitions_patty_julias_story.html

Two women can't legally marry in Pennsylvania. But Patti Wallech and Julia Martin Wallech did.

Julia, in a pencil skirt and size 11 black pumps, carried a Pennsylvania driver's license that said she's a man. "Legally, on paper, we are male and we are female," Patti said while the two waited in the Dauphin County Courthouse last fall to see whether they would be approved for a marriage license.

Julia was born Vaughn Martin and takes female hormones. She has no plans for gender reassignment surgery, but identifies herself as female, she said. Julia is a collection representative at the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.