What kept her from living virtually her whole life as a woman? Social oppression. The cruel refusal of others to accept her as who she actually is. Thirty years ago when she was 60, she cautiously ventured forth but was slapped back. A too-familiar story.
All we really want is the opportunity to live our lives authentically. We don't cause trouble, just seek the freedom to be ourselves. Why is that a problem for other people?
(Article here)
Ally
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful story. I wonder if my wife will come across it. I think that she knows that I will likely never transition but knowing that someone at that age would take the path to transition may be worrisome to her.
Pat
How inspiring and courageous. I think most of the time we are so insecure about ourselves that we are always trying to point out things on others so we will not be looked at .. We often forget that when we point a finger, we point three fingers back at ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHow true. Thanks for contributing, Lorena.
DeleteAw, that made me tear up - I'm so glad she was able to be her true self finally. Thank you for sharing this, Ally.
ReplyDeleteThank you for caring.
DeleteSuch a crazy inspiring end to this beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this. I'm so glad she was finally able to be her full and complete self.
ReplyDeleteMary
www.marymurnane.com
I will never quite understand how someone trying to live his or her own life impacts anyone else... Totally maddening. Proud of her and everyone who is this brave- it takes courage and determination to do this!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Yup. Thanks, Ashley.
DeleteI have no idea why other people have a problem with this.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible story. I'm so very happy for her finally living the life she was meant to after all those years.
How sad that she had to wait that long.
bisous
Suzanne
I was listening to my favorite radio station this morning and they posed a question: if you had a redo button, what in your life would you redo?
ReplyDeleteSome texted in and said that if she could redo something she would have come out as a lesbian at 15 instead of 45.
And that just made me so sad. I can't imagine not being able to be your authentic self for that long. People should feel free to be who they are without having to worry about what someone else thinks.
Yes! That's the obvious answer but so many in society cling to intolerance. And their refusal to accept others makes some miserable. How sad.
DeleteHappiness can be achieved only when we can be our true selves...this story is inspiring and at the same time sad, because this person had to wait for that long only because society can be so mean and so cold...yet, truth is so powerful and we can't change what we truly are INSIDE, in spite of time passing by. Beautiful story, Ally. Big hugs
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies - fashion and beauty blog
Thanks, Vale. I knew you'd understand.
DeleteSomehow this is a sad story but somehow it is beautiful that she gets to live her life as a she at least for the last few years now. I can understand that it must be difficult sometimes to truly be you when society always wants you to be somehow else. There is just so much pressure on people :(
ReplyDeleteI have a really nice giveaway on my blog right now: a stainless steel teamug to go. I love mine and I am sure you would love it too : )
Sending much love!
Xx
Rosa Larissa Klara
http://www.consciouslifestyleofmine.com
Aww I'm so glad she was finally able to come out and live her life authentically. What a shame so much of it was spent in hiding :*( but at least in the latter years she was able to enjoy being in her true skin.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, my friend <3
Although there are elements of this that are of course sad, this is so inspiring. So glad you posted this.
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIENYC
www.allienyc.com
It is so sad to hear that she had to repress her trueself for such a long time.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that I am reading a fiction book set in WW1 at the moment and it is all about a psychiatrist who ends up treating shell-shocked soldiers but there is a whole lot of material in it about soldiers who are dealing with their 'homosexuality' and trying to be 'cured' or 'talked out of it.' I know that it is not the same as wanting to express your true self as someone who is transgender but in a way it was all about repression of who someone was so I find it linked in my mind.x
Fascinating. The "big events" in history aren't separated from the smaller personal journeys we individuals go through. I certainly see the connection.
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