Anne L. Boedecker > Quotes

“What have you done to allow yourself to express your preferred gender identity? Have you been "cross-dressing" in private? Have you gone out "dressed"? Engaged in any other activities (such as theatre, sports, etc.) that allowed you to express your feminine or masculine self? How do you feel when you are dressed in the clothes you like? Do you like how it makes you look? Do you just like the feel of the fabric? Is it sexually arousing? Do you dress primarily for comfort and relaxation? What were you told about being gay or lesbian growing up? What were the attitudes of the people around you, and how were those conveyed? Were you called queer or gay? How did you feel about that? Did you know anything about transgender people growing up? What images did you come across? Transvestite stereotypes? Jerry Springer? Do you know anyone now who's transgender? What stories have you heard or read? What are your sources of information about transgender life? What are your own thoughts, feelings, prejudices about gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people? Do you ever find yourself not wanting to associate with, or be associated with, others in the community? Who are you uncomfortable with? Can you identify where those prejudices came from?”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition

“However it comes, there comes a time to heed the call to change. Something isn't quite right, and you know it. You have been thrust into a fullblown identity crisis. You know things will never be the same again.”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition

“I’m not brave - I’m scared shitless! I’m just doing what I have to do!”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition

“And don't come out to your extended family by showing up at your cousin's wedding or grandfather's funeral dressed to the nines. That's disrespectful,”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition

“If you're over 25, do not use lip gloss!”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition

“Sticking to a budget, like sticking to a diet, is hard to do when you're depressed.”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition

“The essence of a Hero’s Journey is that the hero must leave his/her familiar world and venture into unknown territory in search of something more valuable than safety and security”
― Anne L. Boedecker, The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition