You are currently browsing the GenderBlog weblog archives for the day 17 September 2010.
17 September 2010 by kathleen.
Post-transition and post-surgery, we are seeing our whole world of experience through new eyes. The shock of that change of perspective floods our consciousness. We want to share that change with everyone we know, and everyone we knew in our birth gender.
Kim Reed’s documented experience with her brother in Prodigal Sons reminded me of that. Her drive to see not only her brother but her old friend David from her San Francisco days, reminded me of what I went through, too. We want to take our siblings and our friends by the shoulders, shake them, and say “Look what I’ve done!”
The problem, if it be such, is that only those who live with us really understand what is going on. For most friends that we haven’t seen in 10 years or more — our transition and surgery just don’t mean a great deal to their own lives. Yes, yes! it’s earth-shattering for us; monumental even. But for the guys you went to grade school with, and haven’t seen for 20 or 30 years?
In the movie, Kim went to the 20th reunion of her high school class. Twenty years before, her male self had been quarterback. Most of her classmates were, like, yawn. “You look great. Excuse me, I need to get another beer.” Her relationship with her brother was far more complex, and took up most of the movie.
You know I wrestled with returning for the 42nd high school reunion at an all-boys high school. Having seen Prodigal Sons, I now suspect that my former classmates might have had a yawn over me, too. It was just too long ago to get excited about. If you’ve transitioned since graduation, and have a high school reunion coming up, I recommend that you see this movie before you decide whether or not to attend.
You could take a clue from Luke 9:60, and just get on with your life.
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