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Nowadays in the USA, it should be rather common with all the support groups available at even the smallest communities. Go back a few decades ago and it would have been rare.
- I have a possibility that my father served in the military with Christine (then-George) Jorgensen based upon written notes my father left to me when he died. I am searching for proof one way or the other and welcome anyone who knew the Jorgensen family to determine if my father's name is familiar to them.
- My mother's younger brother was murdered during M-F transition (1970) - it was made to appear suicide so that the police would write off all investigations.
- I met Denise twice: 1974 and 1977 under covert circumstances. She became my mentor and referred me to Stanford; their help and referrals finally got my transition in high gear (1977).
- Linda was a civilian electronics engineer who came to the military base where I worked as the clerk to our agency's Director; she conducted her audit during two weeks (1978). We spent several hours talking one Friday after work; she referred me to Janus (Galveston).
- I eventually made connections with others through correspondences with Stanford's and Janus' programs. Some personnel were part of the HBO production 'What Sex Am I?' (1985).
- When I resided at Utah (1980 - 1985), I felt as if I was the only one in the state. My counsellor last year confirmed that to be true as far as he knows; he told me that he heard of one through his resources at that time with the same dates and specifics matching my case. Yowee! Small world then.
- I saw several who made the TV talk circuit during the 1980s. Maria and I developed and maintained a pen pal friendship for a couple years.
I'm not aware that I might otherwise have had co-workers who were trans other than Roberta. Of course, since I got fired from two different employers for being the only trans employee, I suspect there were no other trans co-workers - at least at my location anyway.
Also, I had been my counsellors' and internists' 'one and only' most of my time.
- Only one counsellor who has had more than me as their trans client (til two last year).
- Only two physicians (of nearly 10) who have had more than me as their patient; I am my current primary's and endo's first and only. My new gyn of this year has had about 15 before me.
Last year this 'Rip van Winkle' awoke from her stealth of nearly 30 years and has been blessed to be befriended by numerous others from around the world through message boards and fortuitous meetings either here or there and locally here at support groups where I reside at Phoenix, Arizona.
In fact, I have been taking my time sending 'Thank you' notes to everyone who I can for Thanksgiving this year. Thank you, one and all!
My how the years have made this life open to others in our community.
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