contact: Janet Lynn Thomas

In Pursuit of Happiness and Red Pumps

Foreword

Act 2, Scene 1

We now enter the second act of human drama, the lights have gone down, the curtains are going up, standing ready for the orchestra to strike the first note, and Janet Lynn Thomas awaits her stage debut. The flash bulbs of the cameras explode in a quick burst of brilliant light and just as quickly dissolve into darkness, like so many of the missed opportunities Janet has had in her life that faded away. The deafening roar of the applauding audience eagerly anticipating her arrival on stage just as she eagerly awaited the approval of her performance in Act 1, where she portrayed the role of a boy child in an earlier scene and most recently as a mature gentleman in the twilight of his life. How appropriate it is that she would announce the arrival of her true self in such a manor, the same existence that she successfully hid from the public's view for 55 years. By removing the thick shield of her male existence in this theatrical moment she is giving the performance of a lifetime.

Well, that's how I wanted to announce to the world that I have finally started the process of changing my sex from a genetic male to that of a technical female. I suppose it's the female hormones that make me so dramatic but, after 55 years of putting up the fight of a lifetime against being transgendered, I am announcing to the world through this online essay that I have finally lost the battle.

I recently read the story of a sports writer with the L.A. Times, Mike Penner, who decided it was time to change his sex and become Christine Daniels, announcing this to the world in his newspaper column read by thousands. I wish I had the chutzpa to announce it that way! In that article, Christine wrote this: "A transgender friend provided the best and simplest explanation I have heard: We are born with this, we fight it as long as we can, and in the end it wins. I gave it as good a fight as I possibly could. I went more than 40 hard rounds with it. Eventually, though, you realize you are only fighting yourself and your happiness and your mental health — a no-win situation any way you look at it".

I put up a fairly decent fight myself through 55 brutal rounds and it beat me as well, mercilessly. Having played baseball in the minor leagues, served this country as a member of an elite special force, and developed a muscular physique through countless hours of lifting weights in the gym, I can honestly say I had put up more than a good fight, it was damn well bloody. It still won, a little bruised perhaps, but won none the less.

This biography will be created live online and will detail Janet Lynn Thomas' epic battle from early childhood, through the transitioning from male to female, and finally with the Sex Reassignment Surgery at the hands of the gifted Dr. Harold Reed. Each week will have a new chapter listed on the site so it will be necessary to check this document frequently for new chapters. Since Janet is also a work in progress, so, too, is this biography, it is truly dynamic. I know you will find this story insightful and informative as it will outline a real life experience of a transgendered woman throughout all phases of her life "in pursuit of happiness and red pumps."

Acknowledgments

I would like to take time to recognize some great people who helped me become the person I am today. Nothing that I have accomplished would have been possible without the love and dedication that these people gave to me.

To my wife, Melanie. You are without a doubt the most remarkable person I have ever met, my soul mate and best friend. You have stood by my side during my transition which I know has not been easy watching your husband of 25 years slowly disappear from your view and your life. My wish is that your life be filled with the same happiness that has enveloped my life and that we will always be best friends and "sisters." I love you now and forever!

To Patricia, my life coach. You have held my head up through ten frustrating years of therapy and have pointed me in the directions that my life needed to take. I may not have always done the things you suggested but I did learn from you and retained everything you taught me. If I were given the opportunity to become any woman of my choosing, I would want to be just like you - always well dressed, attractive and possessing a smile that could warm your heart on the coldest of days. Your kindness and understanding is a gift from heaven. My wish is that we could have met under different circumstances, we could have been great friends.

To my mother, Mary. You gave me life as a boy through birth and again as a woman through your understanding and acceptance. No one could ever want more from a mother. I want to thank you now for all the times that you cleaned up after me, the pain you endured from my mistakes and the love you always gave to me when I needed it the most. My wish is that you find eternal peace and happiness and that you are reunited with your husband whom the Lord called home so many years ago. I cannot express enough gratitude but rest assured I appreciated everything you did.

To my brother, John. You were the smartest person I think I will ever know. I always aspired to be as smart as you and, believe me, I tried as hard as I could but never came close. As a brother, you were the best. As a friend, you were better. I hope you understand what I have gone through and that you will accept me for who I am. Being as intelligent as you are, I have no doubt that you will understand me the most of all my brothers. Thank you for being the kind of father I always wanted to be and for taking care of your wife when she was sick and needed you the most.

I want to thank God for the many opportunities He gave me, for the wisdom He shared with me, for the love He gave to all of us, for His Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the gift of experiencing life from both sides of the gender coin and allowing me the choice of being who I wanted to be, Janet Lynn Thomas.