[Sheridan]

1) When did you begin feeling like you were different?

I personally never felt like a little girl when I was a very young child. I did not like dresses or the color pink. I was into toy cars and trucks; I had no interests in dolls. Girls were playing house, dress-up, and were having tea parties and loved everything that was non-active play. I was playing cops and robbers or superheroes, climbing stuff (swings, trees, monkey bars, jumping off things…), I ran and played outside all day long, and rode my bicycle everywhere (it was my favorite thing that was mine). I still have the old bike and it shows every scar of experience (especially the wrecks). I watched action and science fiction TV shows while my girlfriends watched shows on girl stuff and how to be more feminine that I had no interest in. I loved science and finding out how things work (my mother's alarm clocks and my hand-held radios were just some of the victims). Going through puberty was not a happy time for me but I was lucky (I got small breasts and no PMS).

As an adult my behavior did not changed. I still dress only in male clothing. I am not into shoes (I have a couple of pairs of tennis shoes, a pair of dress shoes, and a pair of good boots that is all, simple). I am not into sharing my feelings (not a talker), though I can be caring if someone needs me. I am still a science geek. I still do not like any activities deemed feminine. I am still a very physical person (bicycling, weightlifting, walking, running, aerobics, yoga…) And if I do not have some time outside, I feel hyper and I do not feel well. I do not enjoy shopping (I find it a horrible chore) . I still watch science fiction and action TV shows and movies.

2) Did you always know that you should have been born the opposite sex, or did that come abit later though you always knew you were different?

Yes, for many internal and external facts:

Biological: Though, I have functioning female organs I have not had any of the hormonal side effects or pain that naturally comes from having them. I have never had PMS, I have light period, my uterus is smaller than normal, I have never had uncontrolled weight gain and gain muscle quickly instead…Nothing says it’s a true female body and it’s like my body is not really preparing for reproduction just faking it (I think my brain and body processes testosterone and estrogen differently giving me my own unique balance or something). I have never been tested and they say some differences cannot be found until an autopsy on the brain and reproductive organs are done (not wanting one of those).

Behavior: I have never acted feminine at anything. I am an alpha personality.

Society: I have been mistaken for a boy or a man all my life and I fit none of the gender roles that society puts on the female gender.

3) When did you decide to come out, and how did you come out?

I do not think I have ever been in. I either have been seen as a very butch lesbian or a boy or man (which I prefer, but the butch lesbian thing does not insult me either).