In a couple of days I will be 72. I identify as transgender, non-binary. Fortunately I have never had dysphoria to any noticeable degree. What I finally realized was that I have male and female parts within me and it has always been like that. DeeAnn is not a different person from Don. The only difference, and it is a small one, is that DeeAnn is somewhat more open and social.
This realization came to me about 6 years ago and I reacted to it 5 years ago. I am dressed probably 90% of the time when I leave my house and that feels appropriate and right. I do occasionally present as Don, but only for specific reasons. I have no problem in doing so.
While my social transition is all but complete, I have no plans for HRT or gender affirmation surgeries.
A few times I have thought about what might have happened if I had started sooner. First, it would have had to have been ‘way sooner to have an effect on my kids are they are 45 and 39. I suspect my first marriage would have ended sooner. But, the real question mark would be career implications. I’m a retired mechanical engineer. Over 43 years I’ve been in many factories and machine shops in the US and in other countries. As difficult as my life was sometimes, I suspect that it would have been MUCH more difficult had I discovered what my gender identity was and responded to it many years ago..
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