Mary van Balen

As of June 14, 2013, the Social Security Administration made changing one's gender in his or her social security records easier to do. Proof of surgical procedures that bring the body into alignment with a person's gender identity is no longer required. This is good news for transsexuals who seek to make gender designations in official records and on identity cards, driver's licenses, and passports reflect their gender identity.

Body alignment surgery is expensive, and many transsexuals must save for years before having it done. Some, for various reasons, may opt not to have the surgery. In the past, that often meant having the wrong gender indicated in records and carrying cards that "outed them" at times and in situations not of their choice.

As Mara Keisling of The National Center for Transgender Equality states, ""Most people may not see this as a big deal, but transgender people know that this seemingly small technical change will protect their privacy and give them more control over their own lives."

See more about the change on the NCTE website.
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"There was the work hard, play hard Eden of childhood truths and treats. Run out in the rain, my Czech grandmother would say urgently, run quick! I flew out the back door, naked, screeching with demented joy, to stand under the drainpipe, rainwater sluicing down my tadpole body."


..................................from "The Florist's Daughter: A Memoir" by Patricia Hampl



Sometimes, in the midst of news of wars, poverty, illness, and hateful rhetoric, something comes along that reminds us of the human capacity for joy, sheer joy. Often simple, it arrives unheralded, breaking into the quotidian of life or the darkness of suffering or despair.

On Saturday I attended a pool party given by a counselor friend who includes a large number of transsexuals in her practice. I had never ventured into the pool at these annual gatherings, but did last week. My swim suit fit a bit tighter that I remembered, but, oh well. Pride aside, I caught my breath as I waded deeper into the water. Laughter filled the evening as people executed dives, some better than others, tried silly stunts, and slipped under the water as they tried in vain to keep a ball in the air. Nothing amazing. Just fun. Fun, food, and conversation shared by those touched by challenges of transsexuality. I stayed late, but was not the last to leave by far. Who wants to let go of such moments?

No. We open wide and suck them in, gulping down the sweet delight.

Sometimes joy comes with a joke, or a dry one-liner during a game of euchre. My dad was good at that.  Read More