Eight years ago, on National Coming Out Day, I came out to my family at a gay/bi man. I wrote a post here explaining who I was, and e-mailed a link to my parents, cousins, aunts uncles, and cousins.
This community was lovely and supportive. So were most of my family and friends. More of them than I expected.
But I was wrong. I'm sorry And I take it back.
Ok, I wasn’t completely wrong. The bi part was mostly right. Pan (pansexual) is more accurate; but the "bi" is, for most contexts, a widely understood shorthand. I stand by my association with the "B" in LGBTQ+.
But the "man" part was wrong. I'd known that as long as I can remember. And last year, I started the process of transitioning. And with it, I started a new coming out process. People who had known me - "known" and "me" both in bold quotes - have been re-introduced to me as Stephanie. A transgender woman, and a much happier version of the person I used to be.
So for everyone who had kind and welcoming words for me when I came out in 2012, thank you. And I'm sorry for giving you bad information. But I'm happy for the chance to be here in the world as my authentic self.
And to anyone who knew me here as @SteveInMI, hello. Again.