Losing my sister
A year ago, Sam told Amandine he wanted to be a man. It's been a transition - for both of them.
By Chris Azzopardi
Originally printed 5/7/2009 (Issue 1719 - Between The Lines News)
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=34914 (http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=34914)
Amandine Abraham's sister is gone. Photos in family albums remind her that Janielle Williams, her 29-year-old sibling, is still there - she especially recalls a First Communion picture where Janielle wasn't wearing her veil, unraveled her ponytail and poses butch-like - but the name's different. It's Sam.
He's the same person on the inside - hopeful, caring and mischievous - but the chest-length hair is gone and, eventually, the breasts will be, too.
It's been a year now since Sam told Amandine, 26, he wanted to be a man. And lots of tears, conversation and heartbreak later, they're as close as they were when the two were sisters. If not more.
On the other side.....Just when I think my family has accepted that I'm a girl too....Things show up at my doorstep. Such as men's underwear. Various things show up at my doorstep though....Such as sports bras. I now have an array of both male and female clothes and under garments. I mostly wear the stuff that I have selected myself and don't worry much about the confusion of others.