About nine months ago, I finally accepted it. I too sit under the colorful umbrella of the transgender community, a lovely community. Being trans* still occupies me a lot, but in a much more positive way than before. Since that moment I had my first total makeover done, bought some nice clothes, took make-up classes. … Continue reading Little changes

Dear L, It happened. I did it. I went out. For the first time. And now, of course, you're wondering what it was like, but you already know that. I want to be honest with you, L, it wasn't easy. I enjoyed it, but not to the fullest, not every second. There was also fear … Continue reading My first time out

14 years. I’m quite certain that I was 14 when I first discovered the pleasure of a skirt. What I don't remember is how it started, or why I did it, but at one point I took the skirt out of my sister's closet, and my heart started beating faster. Because I knew what I … Continue reading My first skirt

Dear Louise, How are you doing? I don't have to ask. Because I already know. I also know that this letter is no surprise to you. You read it already when I wrote it. You told me you're looking forward to next week. That' s when you go out for the first time, and I … Continue reading A special letter

Last weekend. We sat at the table, at dinner. The boys, my dearest, and I. The daughter was still in the dormitory. At a certain point, we were talking about everyone's special qualities, including the negative ones. We were allowed to give our opinion unvarnished (our family's trademark: lack of varnish). It was my turn. … Continue reading She said it.

Once upon a time, at a time that never happened. And somewhere, in a place that doesn't exist. Alem and Biruk go into a shop, for the first time ever. They're very excited. After all, this is a fantastic shop. Because they have the tastiest biscuits there. Soft biscuits, and hard biscuits. Or soft biscuits … Continue reading A parable

There are role models. I choose examples. Amal Alamuddin. Audrey Hepburn. Emma Watson. After all, I want to do it right. In style. I want to avoid making a caricature of a woman. No, my appearance should be a tribute to femininity. I know. That's ambitious. I watch instructional videos of fashion models on youtube. … Continue reading Studying women

My childhood. I liked to play soccer, but I wasn't very good at it. And I played rough games occasionally, but I also enjoyed picking flowers, baking cakes, making plant hangers in macramé, and bracelets with string beads. When I think about it, I smile and feel the peace and quiet I felt then. My … Continue reading Am I a woman?

You grow up, and you learn it fast. There are two kinds of people. One kind has a penis, the other kind has a vagina, although the words you learned back then were different. You learn the two kinds are different. You belong to one kind, your sister belongs to the other. Your kind is … Continue reading Labels

I understand her. I understand it's not easy for her to meet Louise. Seeing her husband in a skirt, that's one thing. But seeing him wearing a wig, prostheses and makeup, is another. She knows that there is this woman in me. She can live with that fact, and she knows it won't go away. … Continue reading Understanding her