Thank you for Being Jay 🙌🏽 This line lit me up: "The contradictions I embody—academic and activist, analytical and intuitive, structured and fluid—don’t represent wounds to be healed but tools for understanding."
Shell 🐚 yes to your evolutionary insight. It's the places where we color outside the lines that offer the most potential for humanity. Not the same old entrenched ways of seeing the world.
Just re-reading your post, Jay, and this line stood out anew: "I realized I was still deeply tangled in societal norms and the heteronormative conventions around me, as well as in my own internalized beliefs. These old thoughts and conventions blocked my path forward." I love how this realization then led to a deeper understanding of yourself. 🙌
Architectonic, thank you so much for your kind words. Vielen Dank for taking the time to read and connect—it means the world to me. Your appreciation is deeply felt and fuels the work I love to share. 😊
Here’s to continuing to build bridges through words! ✨
Diana, thank you for your enthusiasm—it’s absolutely infectious! I love that you’re able to connect so deeply, whether it’s with a book, a story, or someone’s journey. And D.C. Devin? Totally agree—a trip and then some!
As for me, your "You go, dude!" brought a big smile to my face. It’s moments like this that remind me how powerful and affirming connection can be. Thank you for being part of this space and for celebrating these stories with such energy. You’ve made my day! 😊
Congrats to DC and Gail 👏🎉...and thank you, Troy and Jay for sharing this gorgeous, wise and deeply resonant portrait of Jay's quantum transformation. I strongly identify with a lifetime of finding myself in liminal spaces with regard not just to gender, but many aspects of identity. I love the way Jay's piece is a clarion call to flip the script from "not fitting in" to "the frameworks are too limited." So powerful. Congrats, Jay on reaching that moment after years of walking toward it (and fwiw, I didn't begin my transition until I was 47...it felt like a very long walk, indeed). ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️⚧️
Keith, thank you for this deeply heartfelt and thoughtful response. It means so much to hear that my journey and reflections resonated with you, especially coming from someone who knows the long walk of navigating liminal spaces.
I love how you’ve framed the idea of flipping the script—“the frameworks are too limited” is such a powerful and liberating shift in perspective. It’s not us who don’t fit; it’s the structures that have failed to expand enough to hold the beauty and complexity of who we are.
Your story of beginning your transition at 47 is so inspiring. It’s a reminder that there’s no timeline for finding and embracing our true selves—only the path that is uniquely ours to walk. Thank you for sharing that piece of your journey and for being part of this community. Together, we’re rewriting the frameworks and making space for all the colors of our truth. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️⚧️
I love this community SO much. What a haven for us. Thank you, Troy and thank you, Jay. And also some gratitude for the mention, but mostly for promoting Jodi Sh. Doff's new stack. Jodi's the bomb. Just love her.
Nan, your love for this community shines through, and I couldn’t agree more—it truly is a haven for connection and creativity. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing in the joy of lifting one another up.
Jodi Sh. Doff’s work is something special, and I’m so glad we can celebrate and promote voices like hers together. She really is the bomb, and it’s a privilege to be part of a space where we can champion each other so wholeheartedly.
Here’s to the power of community and the many ways we uplift and inspire one another. So grateful to share this space with you! 💛
D.C., you’re so welcome! Your work deserves to be shared and celebrated, and it’s wonderful to see the love and appreciation it’s receiving. Thank you for being part of this vibrant community—it wouldn’t be the same without your voice. ❤️
Here’s to many more mentions and connections ahead! 😊
Thank you for Being Jay 🙌🏽 This line lit me up: "The contradictions I embody—academic and activist, analytical and intuitive, structured and fluid—don’t represent wounds to be healed but tools for understanding."
Shell 🐚 yes to your evolutionary insight. It's the places where we color outside the lines that offer the most potential for humanity. Not the same old entrenched ways of seeing the world.
Just re-reading your post, Jay, and this line stood out anew: "I realized I was still deeply tangled in societal norms and the heteronormative conventions around me, as well as in my own internalized beliefs. These old thoughts and conventions blocked my path forward." I love how this realization then led to a deeper understanding of yourself. 🙌
Thank you Jay, what a gorgeous piece of writing. Vielen Dank.
Architectonic, thank you so much for your kind words. Vielen Dank for taking the time to read and connect—it means the world to me. Your appreciation is deeply felt and fuels the work I love to share. 😊
Here’s to continuing to build bridges through words! ✨
WOW Great post... I love it when I can say I read a book posted or relate to someone....D.C. Devin's was a trip!... and JAY???? you go dude!
Qstack is fantastic!
Diana, thank you for your enthusiasm—it’s absolutely infectious! I love that you’re able to connect so deeply, whether it’s with a book, a story, or someone’s journey. And D.C. Devin? Totally agree—a trip and then some!
As for me, your "You go, dude!" brought a big smile to my face. It’s moments like this that remind me how powerful and affirming connection can be. Thank you for being part of this space and for celebrating these stories with such energy. You’ve made my day! 😊
Thanks Diana!! We feel the same about you! 😘
Congrats to DC and Gail 👏🎉...and thank you, Troy and Jay for sharing this gorgeous, wise and deeply resonant portrait of Jay's quantum transformation. I strongly identify with a lifetime of finding myself in liminal spaces with regard not just to gender, but many aspects of identity. I love the way Jay's piece is a clarion call to flip the script from "not fitting in" to "the frameworks are too limited." So powerful. Congrats, Jay on reaching that moment after years of walking toward it (and fwiw, I didn't begin my transition until I was 47...it felt like a very long walk, indeed). ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️⚧️
Keith, thank you for this deeply heartfelt and thoughtful response. It means so much to hear that my journey and reflections resonated with you, especially coming from someone who knows the long walk of navigating liminal spaces.
I love how you’ve framed the idea of flipping the script—“the frameworks are too limited” is such a powerful and liberating shift in perspective. It’s not us who don’t fit; it’s the structures that have failed to expand enough to hold the beauty and complexity of who we are.
Your story of beginning your transition at 47 is so inspiring. It’s a reminder that there’s no timeline for finding and embracing our true selves—only the path that is uniquely ours to walk. Thank you for sharing that piece of your journey and for being part of this community. Together, we’re rewriting the frameworks and making space for all the colors of our truth. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️⚧️
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Keith - it's so freeing when we discover we don't have to fit in the box the world wants to squish us into.
Thanks @Nan Tepper for your kind words
xoxo!
I love this community SO much. What a haven for us. Thank you, Troy and thank you, Jay. And also some gratitude for the mention, but mostly for promoting Jodi Sh. Doff's new stack. Jodi's the bomb. Just love her.
Nan, your love for this community shines through, and I couldn’t agree more—it truly is a haven for connection and creativity. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing in the joy of lifting one another up.
Jodi Sh. Doff’s work is something special, and I’m so glad we can celebrate and promote voices like hers together. She really is the bomb, and it’s a privilege to be part of a space where we can champion each other so wholeheartedly.
Here’s to the power of community and the many ways we uplift and inspire one another. So grateful to share this space with you! 💛
I'm so glad you're here with us Nan! xo
Thank you, Mr. Troy Ford and Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay, for the mention. I very much appreciate it!❤️
D.C., you’re so welcome! Your work deserves to be shared and celebrated, and it’s wonderful to see the love and appreciation it’s receiving. Thank you for being part of this vibrant community—it wouldn’t be the same without your voice. ❤️
Here’s to many more mentions and connections ahead! 😊
Thank you!❤️
You are very welcome Dan!