Sincerely, Your Transgender Friend

Dear Eraserhead,

I checked this morning in the mirror, and guess what? I’m still here. At least as far as I can tell, I appear no more effaced, deleted or canceled than yesterday. Or the day before that. Or even compared to last year.

You seem to find me a threat. There’s not much I can do about that. Only you can control your own mind and thoughts. The same is true for me. And since I can’t control you, I won’t be thinking too much about you.

I most certainly won’t be getting angry with you. Why would I? If I do, then somehow I agree with you. Since only I can disturb my serenity through my thoughts, why would I relinquish my peace of mind to you?

You are not my master. I won’t collude with your pain and suffering by agreeing that I as a transsexual man am the source of your problems, that as a transgender person, I cause you tremendous disruption, and maybe even terror.

I get it. You want to feel safe, to feel happy.

Okay. Sure. If you think rubbing me out or abolishing me or negating me, will make you happy, then by all means my friend, be happy.

Sincerely,

Your Transgender Friend

A vintage color photo of the author when he was 2.

Your transgender friend, age 2-ish, in an original VW Beetle.