Transformation Journeys Worldwide

"Owning your story is the bravest thing you'll ever do."
--Brené Brown

I recently read an article that revealed how female authors, throughout history, often chose to write under male pen names, their initials or at least gender-ambiguous pseudonyms for fear of experiencing prejudice, rejection, or feeling discounted and irrelevant in a male-dominant industry. Some of these authors included Mary Ann Evans, aka George Eliot (The Mill on the Floss"); Charlotte Brontë, aka Currer Bell ("Jane Eyre"); Louisa May Alcott, aka A.M. Barnard, ("Little Women"); Pamela Linden Travers, aka P.L. Travers ("Mary Poppins"); Karen Blixen, aka Isak Dinesen ("Out of Africa")...among others.

As I pondered the incongruity that these women must have felt as a result of feeling the need to disguise...and in some cases...being strongly urged to hide their true self for fear of not being taken seriously, it was all too familiar to me. Much like them, I too had to decide if I was going to keep my true identity hidden, for fear of prejudice, and succumb to a culture that has not only suggested I remain in the shadows, but one that has actively denied my right to exist. Our culture's flagrant, systemic acts of sexism have lead to the , , , , movements...just to name a few. As these movements have gained traction and visibility, many in our culture have rallied around these calls to action as the "right thing to do" in achieving equity, equality and justice for women.

Unfortunately, my trans sisters and I do not always experience this same support. We are all too often labeled as groomers, interlopers and outcasts. Our journey to womanhood is categorized as deceitful, illegitimate and dangerous. We are often the only one like us in the room. Consequently, we have to fight to been seen and heard; we have to fight to have a seat at the table; we have to fight for equitable and affordable healthcare; we have to fight to be treated with respect and dignity; we have to fight to live! Sound familiar?!

If anyone understands me and my trans sisters' plight for acceptance and justice, it is cisgender women who have traveled THEIR journey of owning THEIR own story...understanding there's no price too high to pay for the privilege of owning one's voice. The great female author, Virginia Woolf, echoed these sentiments when she shared how much she admired those female authors who stood firm in a patriarchal society and wrote as women write, not as men write. "It is another feather, perhaps the finest, in their cap. Of all the the thousand women who wrote novels, they alone ignored the perpetual admonitions of the eternal pedagogue --- write this...think that."

As I embark on my birthday week, I am finding myself inspired by these women authors and determined to continue owning my voice and writing the ending of my story.

What does owning your story look like?

International Nonbinary Day

We hope that you will join our CEO for this timely PRIDE fireside chat. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Gerald Bostock Talks LGBTQ+ Workplace Equity The named plaintiff in the landmark 2020 SCOTUS case shares his story and insights into the continuing struggle for LGBTQ+ workplace equity.

In celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility, Transformation Journeys Worldwide invites you to join us on March 27th, 12m EDT, as Linda Tatro Herzer and I facilitate a deep dive discussion on "Supporting Families of Trans & Nonbinary Youth During Global Controversy."

To learn more and to register yourself, or a group, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/supporting-families-of-trans-and-nonbinary-youth-during-global-controversy-registration-853099953927?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Supporting Families of Trans and Nonbinary Youth During Global Controversy Understand the current controversies impacting trans and nonbinary youth and how you can support their families during these tough times.