The photo essay published last week in CNN.com has caused me a great deal of anxiety. I've debated whether to acknowledge it, or hope it just blows over, unnoticed.
I've finally arrived at the conclusion that, while I cannot endorse this article, its out there all the same. And I need to set the record straight on what I strongly feel are misrepresentations, in the images and especially the text, likely to confuse and misinform the viewer. After all, this is my story, and I need to have some say in how its presented to the world.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Before Delia, Part I. No Pictures, Please.
Its hard to imagine some people not happily smiling before a camera.
By my own admission, I'm one of them now. Ah, Delia and her photographs. Portraits are the peanut butter to my jelly, Sonny to my Cher. Chicago to my winter.
I've 100 Facebook albums and nearly all of them were posted after transition. Since June 21, 2011 when first coming out to The World my friends and family have been subjected to a LOT of me. Each photograph is a confirmation of who I've become and, even more so, who I'm becoming as I riff along on seemingly endless permutations of my female-ness. Even now, 10 years later, still I play with variations of clothing, hairstyles, makeup, and more subtle characteristics ... as I observe other women doing throughout their lives.
I get that, and I appreciate that you also get that and don't seem to mind too much. Photos are my bread crumbs, marking not only where I stand ... but the long, winding and incredible path where I've trod.
But it was not always so. And thereby hangs a tale.
By my own admission, I'm one of them now. Ah, Delia and her photographs. Portraits are the peanut butter to my jelly, Sonny to my Cher. Chicago to my winter.
I've 100 Facebook albums and nearly all of them were posted after transition. Since June 21, 2011 when first coming out to The World my friends and family have been subjected to a LOT of me. Each photograph is a confirmation of who I've become and, even more so, who I'm becoming as I riff along on seemingly endless permutations of my female-ness. Even now, 10 years later, still I play with variations of clothing, hairstyles, makeup, and more subtle characteristics ... as I observe other women doing throughout their lives.
I get that, and I appreciate that you also get that and don't seem to mind too much. Photos are my bread crumbs, marking not only where I stand ... but the long, winding and incredible path where I've trod.
But it was not always so. And thereby hangs a tale.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Friday the 13th
My long sabbatical from blogging ended today. Inspiration came from my friend Robyn, who was having a pretty bad day, and appealing to all Facebook pals for some Friendly relief.
Be forewarned. This post has nothing to do with my being transgendered. Except to the extent that, if you picture me enacting all this in sandals, cute black T top, and freshly washed hair, I may seem even more pathetic.
Be forewarned. This post has nothing to do with my being transgendered. Except to the extent that, if you picture me enacting all this in sandals, cute black T top, and freshly washed hair, I may seem even more pathetic.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Quiet Anniversary
Last Sunday was a special anniversary for me. One year ago on April 22nd, the words Delia Marie Kropp were set down together for the very first time on any official document.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
That was the Year That Was ... Incredible
Dear friends,
First of all, my apologies for such a long blogging lapse. The fact is, I've just felt too happy living my life to pause and document it. Even at its craziest, I've been enjoying the ride too much to step off and comment about the view.
But now an incredible year is coming to an end. And a profusion of "Best Of" and "Top 10" lists all testify to our modern culture's drive to summarize, draw conclusions, and even proselytize a bit when the calendar flips. It feels like I too must step up to the microphone, and say something about 2011. So here it is.
First of all, my apologies for such a long blogging lapse. The fact is, I've just felt too happy living my life to pause and document it. Even at its craziest, I've been enjoying the ride too much to step off and comment about the view.
But now an incredible year is coming to an end. And a profusion of "Best Of" and "Top 10" lists all testify to our modern culture's drive to summarize, draw conclusions, and even proselytize a bit when the calendar flips. It feels like I too must step up to the microphone, and say something about 2011. So here it is.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Gun Hill Road
This is not a review or an endorsement, but a definite heads-up on what promises to be an exceptional movie featuring a transgender character.
Last weekend I saw a trailer for Gun Hill Road.
Last weekend I saw a trailer for Gun Hill Road.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Dressing the Part, Chapter One
I try never to wear my own clothes, I pretend I'm someone else.
- David Byrne
In those earliest days, long before gender transitioning involved matters of medicine, anatomy and biology, it mostly found me experimenting with clothes. Dressing up, in other words. Finding apparel to look and hopefully feel, as Mr. Byrne would have it, like "someone else" ... even before I realized, ironically, that the someone else was actually me.
- David Byrne
In those earliest days, long before gender transitioning involved matters of medicine, anatomy and biology, it mostly found me experimenting with clothes. Dressing up, in other words. Finding apparel to look and hopefully feel, as Mr. Byrne would have it, like "someone else" ... even before I realized, ironically, that the someone else was actually me.