It is my pleasure to share today’s post with you. The story is written by my friend Ronelle Grier. The article appears in this week’s Detroit Jewish News on the cover. A must read. Thank you to Ronelle Grier for writing this and Keri Cohen, Story Development Editor at the Detroit Jewish News for publishing this. Read the entire story here. Detroit Jewish News Call Him Hunter
Enchanted Photography by Marla Michele Must
Call Him Hunter 
I’m also breaking barrier down here in Jersey.
I’m going back to college sometime next year. There was a student years ago, a trans man much like Hunter and I, but not sure what he went through. That was 10 years ago, at the height of the Bush presidency and when many of the anti-glbt laws were passed.
I am talking to the dean of student affairs now to see how the laws that prevent discrimination against gender identity works for me. I’m still legally female, but I use men’s restrooms and spaces in public. (There is no housing or any real sports teams, so no worry there; it’s a small local college.) The thing is, many of my former professors are still there, and know me by my old name, as a (rather very butch) woman. It’s one thing attending a new college as a trans man, but it’s a rarer experience returning to a college I twice attended before, where before I was female, but now identify as male.
I’m in talks with the dean of student affairs, explaining this; when he comes back from his vacation in a couple of weeks’ time, we are going to talk about what options are available to me until I start transitioning (which again, I’m holding off till the fall while my son is in school). He has already encouraged me to remain as my “true self”, but from his emails he appears astonished that I want to be a team player and don’t want to potentially weird out the male faculty, staff, and teachers there, rather than make this situation all about me. He is very much an ally of the GLBT community from what the school staff has told me.
When we finally talk, I’ll blog about our discussion, and when I return to school next year, blog about experience, too, especially because my story will be different from other trans’ college experience—going BACK while transitioning, as I have a long on-and-off history there.
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So proud of you. We lived in NJ for a very long time…I have a very good friend in the LGBT community in NJ. Where in NJ are you? You can email me if you don’t want to say publicly.
Roz
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I grew up in the shadow of temple Israel. I’m glad to see hunters story in such a major news outlet. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks. We are fortunate that we have the support we do.
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Growing up in west Bloomfield and coming out (as gay) at 20 I remember lgbt issues being very hush hush. Finding affirmations was a huge asset in my coming out process. I’m glad for hunter times have changed.
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Affirmations is a great organization. I am glad it helped you. How long ago did you come out? Are you still in the area?
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I moved to atlanta about 8 years. It’s been almost 20 years since I came out.
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Wow. Well, I hope Atlanta is a good home for you.
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I moved here, bought a house and adopted my son (who’s a few years older then hunter btw). I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.
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That’s great. Everyone deserves to find happiness, wherever that may be. I really appreciate you connecting with me.
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