Chaz teaches us a lesson in humanity

[Shana A]

Chaz teaches us a lesson in humanity
May 19, 2011
By David R. Gately on May 19, 2011

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/05/19/chaz-teaches-us-a-lesson-in-humanity/

I read the book release and online news coverage and watched the interview snippets available on YouTube. I surveyed the comments on Facebook and Twitter. I am fascinated. As I digest all the Chaz news, I find myself digging deeper into my own curiosity to discern what exactly it is about Chaz's story that transfixes me, equally validating my understanding of the intensity and range of human experience and challenging my perceptions.

I am gay and while being gay is surely a twist on gender roles and identity, I have never felt trapped in the wrong body. But I am part of the LGBT minority like Chaz. I too have addiction and recovery experience. I've had body issues, been depressed, lost a partner, and felt different than as well. Chaz's story affirms that life is really hard sometimes. Growing up "was complicated," he told Oprah. But it also validates life's blessings. His mother "adores" him, he said, and so did his father. In many ways Chaz's story is no different than mine, maybe even yours, except for the transgender part. Therein lies an element that keeps tripping me.