Mitch is from the South Coast in NSW,
Australia. He describes himself as average
build, loving, committed, honest and trust
worthy. Mitch makes a living as a youth worker,
and owns a business. He has a partner, Jo and
reluctantly identifies his birthdate as Scorpio.
Label/Identity: - Don't really have one but
if I have to call it a label - male.
Mitch began transition in April 1997 after
watching a documentary called The
Decision. He says, "I cried so much - it was
me in the TV. Finally, I understood why I had
felt the way I had since age 3."
He began hormone therapy although, after
attempting testosterone pellets (his body
rejected them back out the incision), he
currently prefers the injections (250mg per
fortnight).
Transition and Surgery
Transition was a mixed experience for Mitch.
While pleased that his facial hair and 'bigger
muscles' have finally developed, he also says he
didn't anticipate "the extent of scaring that I
have presently."
This scaring is due to a less than
satisfactory result with his chest surgery.
Following 1997, he underwent three surgical
procedures over three years. After his first
surgery, a hysterectomy, in 1998, his 1999 top
surgery meant that he needed a second surgery
(2000) to rectify problems with his chest work.
The surgeries were completed by September 2001
despite ongoing health concerns which include
high blood pressure and Supraventricular
Tachicardia (increased heart rate).
Despite the enormous boost in confidence and
self-esteem, it was the workplace discrimination
and an unsatisfactory result with chest surgery,
which meant that his expectations of transition
were partly blemished. Overall, Mitch is
enormously satisfied with his decision to
transition.
Disclosure
Disclosure of his trans status is a selective
solution. He is only out to some people in his
life and not others. He says, "My closest
friends know (and I don't have that many close
friends - by choice), my boss and one colleague
knows but not the rest of my colleagues. All my
family know, including relatives. My partner's
family and friends do not know."
He describes this 'coming out' process to his
parents, and others aware of his transition: "I
sat my parents down after consulting a Professor
in Newcastle and told them what and why. They
were relieved, shocked, happy (well… lots
of emotions). I came out to my friends and they
were supportive because I gave them a lot of
info - educated them. My workplace at the time
was not so accepting - thus why I don't work
there anymore (their loss). Most of the parents
of the kids I coach were great because, again, I
provided them with information and honesty.
Those that did not accept the new
me……..tuff
Work and Family
Passionate about his work as a youth worker,
Mitch describes himself as a 'work-a-holic'.
After 'having a hell of an adolescence' he
enjoys giving support to kids finding
adolescence tough going. Mitch says he
understands their "constant need to push
boundaries so someone will listen" and takes
seriously the fact that he is a role model, a
shoulder and a support to the kids he works
with.
Mitch describes a dysfunctional family life
during childhood, until 1984 where he moved out
of home. Today he remains very, very close with
his mother, tolerates 'small doses' of his
father and has no communication at all with his
younger sister. Despite this less than ideal
outcome, Mitch feels that it is his biological
family whom he feels closest to.
His personal inspiration is his partner Jo,
best mate Charlie and every disadvantaged young
person whose life he has touched and helped.
Life and the Future
The future is optimistic. He anticipates a
long life with his partner, Jo, whom he dearly
loves, 'modest material wealth', and dreams of a
rural property. When he gets the chance to
relax, he usually uses it to sleep - as his work
includes weekends as part of his working week.
Fortunately, he gets recreation and outdoor
sport with the youth at work.
While he doesn't participate in any
particular religion Mitch believes there is
something looking after us on a daily basis -
"what it is, I don't know but something has
helped me get to where I am today". With a hint
of the social activist at heart, Mitch says he
believes that the most important social issues
in Australia today are "inequality,
homelessness, reconciliation."
Advice
Mitch offers new FTMs advice borne of
experience. He says: "follow your heart and
educate people in the process. Whilst it is your
own personal decision, there will be some that
will not accept change. Soldier on though
because life is too short to live by other's
expectations. They will have to just "build a
bridge and get over it"."
Mitch believes that identity is an individual
thing - and that each FTM individual should have
the freedom to seek their own space, develop it
and grow with it.
