This webpage is dedicated to a very special person in my life who means the world to me. Her name is Patricia and she's transgendered. She's one of the most caring and generous persons I've known as well as smart, talented and charming. If you think I'm biased you're right, but I'm also eminently

qualified to make this assessment, because I've known Patricia for 26 years and we've lived together for about half that time.
   Patricia is dedicated to her family
and friends, lending a helping hand
at a moment's notice. She's always there for me when I'm in a slump,

to hold my hand, offer kind words, wisdom, and boost my spirits with her witty humor.
   Another reason Patricia captures my heart is that we share interests in art and technology. She's a wiz at the computer. By the way, if you asked her, Patricia would humbly deny

my accolades for her. A thoughtful person recognizes learning is a lifelong endeavor, and then some.
   Like I was saying, Patricia is adept at hardware and software. She's also a dedicated game player of the adventure and simulation variety (I used to watch her play for hours on end, games like Myst and WarCraft), although trying to keep up with the latest upgrades has taken it's toll. She's presently armed with an Xbox and a DSL connection.
   Patricia keeps me up to date and well rounded in the area of music. She dabbles in guitar and keyboard, but her forte is creating musical landscapes on the computer, mainly with Acid Pro. I suppose you'd call it (please excuse my ignorance in these matters) re-mixing. A stunning example would be her remix she's named The Matrix Reformatted. I'd love to provide you a sample, but no doubt there are copyright issues.
   I could go on and on about Patricia being an avid reader (mainly fiction,

majorly sci-fi), avid film viewer (when we go to Blockbuster, all the good movies I want to rent she's seen), and on and on. Suffice it to say Patricia's a catch and I'm enamored with her.

Trouble in River City

   As you might imagine, being transgendered can be very trying to say the least. Unfortunately too many people act unkindly, keeping a closed mind. As good as Patricia can look, there's always a never ending supply of people ready to stare and fling disrespectful remarks.
   Look at the history of homo sapiens, rife with struggle and strife, not to mention conflict. I'd think, at least hope, that here in the twenty first century breakthroughs in social institutions and technology, especially communications, have enlightened the majority as to the human condition we all share and the inalienable rights we owe each other. Isn't the immense potential to grow, and heal, that

comes from understanding and cooperation obvious?. Big business and particular factions of government know it. Just look at the collusion and mergers that have swelled over the
last few decades. It's obvious they
also understand the basic tenet of divide and conquer.
   I too stand outside the makeshift, and shifty, barrier erected by those who staunchly defend their class and religious ideologies as well as many persons who fear the influence of that which exists outside their well defined, and yet elusive "norm". I'm not juxtapositoning myself as a saint; it's just that I do realize the value of considering the other side. My point is that I can hide with little effort. I don't stand out in a crowd. Patricia doesn't have the same option, nor does she want to hide. Patricia wants what I and everyone else wants, to be respected for who you are, and more than that to be acknowledged for that quality we all share, uniqueness. For Patricia that means being acknowledged as a

woman with, as I will testify on a stack of bibles (or it's non-religious equivalent), talents and a humanitarianism that's a model to everyone. Her forthright attitude is an inspiration to me.
   Yet Patricia is plagued by intolerance and discrimination in daily pedestrian encounters and on the job. She currently works as a successful freelance audio-visual person. Especially in this case, success is tempered by the current economic climate and the ever present politics. She can barely make ends meet.

Optimism is real!

   Despite any gloom I might have cast on the current human condition, Patricia and I have some wonderful friends and we've met, and continue to meet, many wonderful people who give of themselves to make the world a better place. Besides which there always has been and always will be many people in the world focusing

their effort to do the right thing for the good of all.
   Go ahead, call me a cockeyed optimist and romatic, but is there not at least the potental for a better life (more food, advanced medicine, better transportation and communications) if not in fact more people living a better life (as in the birth of a "middle class") than in the past? Are there still problems and much work to be done? You bet your sweet ass (or arse as a distant friend would say), but so what!?! As Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) said, "If I have been able to see farther than others, it was because I stood on the shoulders of giants." I acknowledge that the people who came before me, and people throughout my life have enabled me to live a good life. I intend to add to that foundation so future generations can see farther. It only makes sense.
   I've created this webpage for Patricia not only as a testimony to her (and another soapbox for me), but as a way of reaching out to others who

sympathize, empathize, have a comment and generally anyone who wants to reach out and make the world a better place. To contact Patricia
send your email to:
 
   [email protected]
 
Patricia and I thank you for visiting
and wish you much happiness on
your journey.
 
Sincerely, Bruce
 
 
Recommended reading:

1. Gender Outlaw / On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us

2. My Gender Workbook

   both by Kate Bornstein