Life has been smooth and okay of late. My job is going well and my relationship with A is simply great. As in...in a nutshell, step by step, the things I've always dreamed of are taking place. Just a few things I need to sort out.
My identity. As I said earlier, I am an alien. I don't have an ID. The ID that I have looks nothing like me, at all! I have applied for something called a Deed Poll that is to notify the government and the general public that from day so and so I relinquish the use of the name so and so (male name) and begin using name so and so (preferred name. Preferably gender ambiguous). Because we don't know how the authorities will react if I gave them a female name, I've chosen a gender neutral one. My two kikuyu names. That way, its easier to pass. However the process is taking long and am getting impatient. I still don't have a passport and I really need one. I like what Audrey Mbugua and her organisation are doing for us. She is making it known in the public that we, the transgender community in Kenya are being neglected and the current laws don't allow us to change our genders. At least we can change names. If only it were easier. Anyway, I shall have to wait.
On the dilemma issue, I will see how to sort it out. There is always a way out right?
p.s. Sometimes I just wish I could know what my high school colleagues thought about me back then. I wonder...
2 comments:
I have no idea how your friends would react so I suggest you break it to them gently! However I do know if one of my friends was trans I'd want to know. Anyway whatever you decide I'm sure it'll be the right one!
It took me a while to figure out when it made sense to bring up my status and when it did not. What has happened is that I don't mention it often. Why? Most people don't care. They don't really want details. They like me, and there are more interesting things to talk about. Of course, you'll have to figure out your own balance.
It's good to be reminded of how easy I have it in Canada with regard to name and sex designation changes. I hope you can get the things you need soon and that there will be no trouble for you.
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