The myriad gender IDs can be confusing to an inquisitive audience not familiar with the queer community and not in touch with spirit enough to notice it may be gendered.

This might be partly why there is little press out there about us, except within our own communities.

As Emmanuela asked, "Why are positive reflections needed?"

Because I lifted a big, hard globe of pressure off of my shoulders in order to finally live my truth at middle age.

Because I took the first hurdle by coming out 24 years ago into the mainstream lesbian community, began the slow death into a second unsettled period of again feeling like I did not belong, then came out again as a micro-minority.

Because female-bodied masculine persons do masculinity proud!!

Because I claim my masculinity, as I have always, but nowadays with a resolute conviction, and with my own fully realized permission.

I don't want to miss telling my story.  I don't want to one day be an old man with nothing to say:
 
My spirit lives as everyone sees. 
My love spills truth
initially received by all in the right way.
Task yourself with unnecessary editing of the pure.
Delivering politics and fears
To disappear marvels
Taking it to two
When awe is a many
 
Once I had nothing to say
Now I will enlighten you
My voice will resonate
in my own ears if nowhere else,
And to my satisfaction.
And you will have no excuses.
 
Now you make marvels disappear,
complaining later you haven't much.
And we so persist to disentangle thready billions
If one by one.
World voice, you are just not so
 
~Joe Mario
10/19/2007

"Telling My Story" copyright 2007 by Joe Mario. All Rights Reserved.