From Dennis to Denise: Changing gender in small town Nova Scotia, and how it all

[Butterfly]

From Dennis to Denise: Changing gender in small town Nova Scotia, and how it all fits into human rights thinking
The Weekly Press
by Angele Cano
14 July, 2010


http://www.enfieldweeklypress.com/stories.asp?id=3822


UPPER MUSQUODOBOIT: Denise Holliday walks through the doors of her small community garage to get her car looked at. A woman of tall stature, large hands and feet, but otherwise feminine features, she speaks to the mechanics that have known her from living in the community for years. They speak respectfully to her. She pays for services, and then leaves. Then the whispering begins.

For the most part, her experiences are limited to glaring glances at restaurants, under-breath comments from passersby, and hushed whispers from curious people. But having grappled with gender identity her entire life, her transition from Dennis to Denise, at 48 years of age, still left her with many male characteristics.