I write to thank Mariel Addis for her honest and thoughtful guest column (“A different kind of anniversary,” Gazette, Jan. 29). She ended her piece with, “I’m just glad to be me, finally.” Well, I am also glad, glad for you and for all of us. With so much despair to go around these days, it’s heart-warming to read a story with a happy ending, especially one involving gender transitioning. For those of us familiar with the terrible confusion and anguish and years of shame, your story radiates with hope. But one needn’t be trans to understand this, anyone with an open heart and mind should be able to appreciate your courage and candor.
“Pride” is an interesting emotion. We generally play it down because too much investment in “ego” is frowned upon, it’s much cooler to be humble. Yet, I find it appropriate that Pride has become the standard borne by the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride can serve as an antidote for shame. So, Mariel, you should be proud of yourself. You’ve chosen a path that is not the easiest, but is the right one for you, and you appear to be pushing through it with grace. Thank you for being you, for being courageous, and for sharing aspects of your journey.
Stevie Dunn
Amherst