[Jess]

Originally Posted by June

(Not Moderating! Disagreeing and Discussing)

Jess -- I can tell from your post that you have given a lot of thought to this and it is still not quite resolved in your head. I don't think it is in mine, either, because it is not a path I walk. However, it is a path that many close to me are on. I know that some folks who transition move into the straight world completely by their choice. Others feel that *this* is their community. I feel that way too. I do not think you meant to be hurtful in your post at all, I am reading you as trying to figure this out like many of us are, but I can tell you that it does not feel good for me, as a woman who has many friends in this community that are or have transitioned to have their place here questioned. For me, if they love and respect Femmes and Butches, they belong here. I cannot imagine not having Theo, Billy, Turino, Linus, Chris, Cal, littleman, Dylan and several others not here.

I picked this piece out of your very long thoughtful post, most of which I agreed with or at least understood, but this bit above felt hurtful. Have you ever been excluded? I have, and it doesn't feel good.

--June

Actually, yes I have pretty much daily.

If I have hurt feelings in expressing my own questioning then I sincerely apologize.