I can only imagine this challenge. I was raised Catholic until I was 11 or 12 and then sadly, my mother passed away and my world changed. I was suddenly freed from the stigma and guilt of religion and also the concern of meeting a parent’s expectations but also losing their guidance. God lingered for a while on my shoulder judging me from above, but that waned over time. I came to realize that this life I was living was a shadow of what it might be unless I transitioned. The people who “knew” my secret and used it against me were suddenly disempowered as I claimed my identity.

Secrets only limit our ability to be ourselves and enable others to use them against us. I keep learning more about how to manage this life as a Transgender woman. As it turns out, we will always have our past as a male to deal with no matter what. It’s just about wether you want that in your rear view mirror or not.