Monday, September 8, 2008

My Uncle the Tranny

This title has caught your interest I am sure. :) But yes, the title is relevant to the story. So before the 2 hours of boredom during the VMAs, I had the most weird conversation with my mum. Turns out my uncle whom has lived by himself since before I was born, is literally a hot tranny mess. I say that with love though so its ok. Apparently, my uncle who is in his 60s, wants to be a woman. And probably 20 years ago, started the process to begin transition into womanhood. He began to talk to a therapist and even started to take hormones to turn his man parts into nasty woman parts.

However, during this process, my family found out. Who I must tell you are all strict Catholics. This obviously, did not go over very well with them. Even my mom told him that he wouldnt be able to see my older brother or I if he continued this "lifestyle". It was very hard for me to hear what my mother was saying. But I tried to understand this was 20 years ago, and people have a very different mind frame then. Although, she is a very sheltered woman, and if it wasnt for me, would probably still think that way. So he ended up not going through with the change and continues to live an unhappy life.

I know that even now, my uncle does "dress up" and probably behind closed doors in his house, lives completely as a woman. And when he walks out of his house, he is back to being a man. I dont completely understand the whole transgendered thing, but I am of course accepting because of my own disgusting homo way of life. :)

I tried to coach my mom into having a talk with him, and told her she should try to be accepting herself and inform herself of transgendered people. I asked her how she would feel about seeing him dressed as a woman and she said she would be freaked out. I expected this response as it would be hard to see my brother dressed as a woman. But told her that she should think about how he is completely alone and has no one to talk to in the family about who he is.

Long story short, she wants to know more about it, and asked me to send her some information and books on GLBT people. Because she still doesnt even know that much about gay life either. She actually asked me who was the woman in my relationship with the bf. I laughed of course. It means a lot to me that she wants to know and understand the different lives that we gay and transgendered people live. I suggested to her writing my uncle a note, and explaining to him that she does want to get an understanding of it. She told me that I should also write him a letter, explaining to him that I am gay as well, so that he maybe can confide in me. I think I will start to write that letter this week.

Its interesting the secrets that a family can hold. It makes me sad to know that my uncle who is in his 60s, lives his life in complete secrecy, and that my whole family shuns him for wanting to be the way he was meant to be. I feel extremely fortunate that I do not have to live my entire life this way.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

this is a touching story. is there any followup story?