Earlier this year I received a phone call from a friend. She said that she was putting together a program for International Women’s Day 2022 called I’m Speaking! and asked if I would be willing to speak along with 3 other women. I said Yes very quickly because I knew that anything she organizes will be thoughtful, sensitive, on point and laced with a bit of humor. What I chose to talk about was my journey from my hometown of Toledo, Ohio to my arrival decades later in Cathedral City, California. The title is: From THERE To HERE. It includes my thoughts and learnings on Gender Identity, Coming Out and my experiences with the Women’s Community.
The link below will take you to my secure storage where you can download the video of the event. Note that it may take a bit to download as it about 3.5Gb.
https://web.tresorit.com/l/xqAAq#waX2u4oQhE5AGOEDS8iSOw
My speech starts at 32:15 and runs for about 13 minutes. I also responded to a couple of questions. Those begin at about 59:54 and 1:08:09 respectively. However, I recommend listening to the entire program as the other speakers are excellent and thought provoking.
In appreciation, we were all presented with Certificates of Congressional Recognition from our Congressman, Dr. Raul Ruiz:

DeeAnn Hopings

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To All Who Have Responded: I just wanted to let everyone know that I really appreciate the kind and supportive words. It is a bit like hearing good things about your kids. It is a reminder that you did something right and people noticed. So: THANKS SO MUCH! I think what it comes down to is pushing the envelope a bit for all of us. Clearly, that is not an easy thing to do, but it is so important. I live in a relatively accepting place. Cathedral City is next door to Palm Springs, but the other end of The… Read more »
Thank you DeeAnn for doing this and representing our community. You are a model for all of us. Marg
DeeAnn, looks like the dictionary is in need of a serious update. Why, because I cannot find a word to express just how powerful your words are. Not were, but are…. Your words will ring true for years in the future. Your words are a mentor to many as they discover their true selves. It is an honor and privilege to know you. Hugs, Michelle
Thanks! One of the things that frustrates me is that society tends to view us in a very narrow and limited way, but that is not the reality at all. There is a considerable range of sexualities and gender identities that our group represents. Statistically there are concentrations, but there are also outliers and MANY of us fall well outside the narrow confines of what society thinks. That’s why the idea of visibility is so important to me. It is something that I can do that, sadly, many others cannot. Further, it doesn’t bother me in any way to know… Read more »
Thank You so much!!
I think what was, and is, important to me is the message that there is no right way to come out and no right way to transition. We all have to do what makes sense to us at the time…
Wow, DeeAnn! Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment, we’re all so proud of you and what you are doing to benefit our community of trans sisters. Way to go girl!
Love, ❤
Lauren M