This last year was the most incredible, unbelievable, and fantastic year of my life. I started the year hoping to be able to take the first of several steps toward becoming the woman I know I was born to be. Instead, my transition was physically complete in August, a miracle by any measure since that part of the transition process typically takes at least two years. Mine started and ended in a mere five months.

It was not so wonderful for the transgender community in general. There were highs and lows, to be sure. The worst news was that worldwide we saw a 300% increase in the number of transgender people being murdered compared to 2008. Some were executed by their governments; others were shot, stabbed, beaten and/or strangled to death by deranged and malicious people. All died just because they sought to live the truth of who they are.

This last year was the most incredible, unbelievable, and fantastic year of my life. I started the year hoping to be able to take the first of several steps toward becoming the woman I know I was born to be. Instead, my transition was physically complete in August, a miracle by any measure since that part of the transition process typically takes at least two years. Mine started and ended in a mere five months.

It was not so wonderful for the transgender community in general. There were highs and lows, to be sure. The worst news was that worldwide we saw a 300% increase in the number of transgender people being murdered compared to 2008. Some were executed by their governments; others were shot, stabbed, beaten and/or strangled to death by deranged and malicious people. All died just because they sought to live the truth of who they are.

I fell in love with a transgender man. I don’t know what came over me but I need to rant just a little. I think it had more to do with the fact that he has no outward appearance of maleness but instead is a very attractive looking woman. I probably fell in love with what I perceived as butch femininity, rather than his true male personality. But it was so fun, so exhilarating that I couldn’t help myself.

Women are all about relationships. Men, not so much. To a woman, a relationship is formed from the moment she meets someone and says hello. It could be a new checker at the grocery store or a new business contact at work. What it becomes and how it evolves after that is determined by the interactions and emotions of both people. What I’m saying is that I had a relationship with this man for the better part of this year, because we met early this year, but it wasn’t romantic until about two months ago.

I fell in love with a transgender man. I don’t know what came over me but I need to rant just a little. I think it had more to do with the fact that he has no outward appearance of maleness but instead is a very attractive looking woman. I probably fell in love with what I perceived as butch femininity, rather than his true male personality. But it was so fun, so exhilarating that I couldn’t help myself.

Women are all about relationships. Men, not so much. To a woman, a relationship is formed from the moment she meets someone and says hello. It could be a new checker at the grocery store or a new business contact at work. What it becomes and how it evolves after that is determined by the interactions and emotions of both people. What I’m saying is that I had a relationship with this man for the better part of this year, because we met early this year, but it wasn’t romantic until about two months ago.

Welcome to new contributor Elena Kelly!

My cell phone rang just as I was sitting down to lunch at work today. It was a detective from the Sacramento Police and she asked if I had a few minutes to talk. I had been expecting this call for the last two weeks, but I had no idea what she had to say.

Welcome to new contributor Elena Kelly!

My cell phone rang just as I was sitting down to lunch at work today. It was a detective from the Sacramento Police and she asked if I had a few minutes to talk. I had been expecting this call for the last two weeks, but I had no idea what she had to say.