I've had occasion to give a few more people from my male life the knowledge that I am Amy. In at least one case, it's had an unexpected bonus!
Firstly, two of my brothers now know. D. is about three years younger than me, and C. is about five years younger. D. is gay, and married to another man, which they did during the "window" of time in California between when it was first made legal and the passage of Prop. 8. (I actually DJ'd their wedding, in my male aspect.) He, as I expected, didn't have any issue with it.
Neither did C., who is married to a GG. C. pointed out a couple of things: first of all, he, though not a CD himself, has crossdressed for Halloween at work on several occasions. He's even been a witch himself; he and a GG coworker did Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West one year. Second, after I explained to him the origin of my full femme name, he remarked that he was sure there had been someone related to my maternal grandmother who was named "Ruth," which would mean that even that part of my name is fully consistent with my feminine heritage. The real surprise came when I received a package from him not too long thereafter...a new purse, from Kate Spade New York:
kate-spade-purse.jpg
He said I needed a designer purse. What a thoughtful gift!
Finally, I also had occasion to tell my manager, K., which mostly started off with "Remember last Halloween? That wasn't entirely an act..." She is quite open-minded, and sees it as just being "me," no matter what gender I present as or what name I use. It may be useful to have someone at work "in the know," in case something happens...which I don't think it will, but never hurts to be sure.
I'm not exactly completely opening up to everyone...but my comfort level has improved to an extent.
- Amy
...
