Public triumph, private torment

[Shana A]

Public triumph, private torment
When Times sportswriter Mike Penner announced he'd become Christine Daniels, he sought 'joy and fulfillment.' After a year of accolades and ordeals, he returned as Mike. But his struggles continued.

By Christopher Goffard Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
March 27, 2010

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sportswriter27-2010mar27-2,0,7049260.htmlstory

A year after the essay, the Daniels byline vanished from the newspaper, and within months Penner was back at work, living as a man and writing under his male name. Once so voluble about the reasons for becoming Christine, Penner was silent about the reasons for abandoning the identity.

This time, there was no essay, no explanation. But friends saw a person in torment. Last November, in the parking garage of the apartment complex where he lived alone, Penner killed himself. He was 52.

[Princess Phoebe]

sorry, no pun intended

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sportswriter27-2010mar27,0,6729678.story

[Shana A]

Public triumph, private torment, the Christine Daniels tragedy
March 27, 2010 |  2:03 pm

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2010/03/public-triumph-private-torment.html

Readers have been responding to the story of Christine and Mike. Here are excerpts from some notes to the reporter. Share  your thoughts.

    Mr. Goffard, I have been reading The Times for 43 years, ever since I moved to Los Angeles as an 18 year old to attend UCLA.  Your article on the late Mike Penner/Christine Daniels, was one of the most beautifully written and moving pieces I ever ever ead in any newspaper.  I confess that I cannot comprehend transsexualty, but who wants to see a fellow human in such horrible distress?  When I finished reading, I felt compelled to say a prayer that this soul is now at peace.