First and foremost I want to say hello, and thank you to one of my dearest friends Cal for inviting me to share my story in this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony. When he initially asked me if I’d be interested, I was nervous and a bit hesitant because I wasn’t quite sure what to write about. But then I decided to just write….and let my thoughts go where they needed to go. My name is Gina L. Mangruem and I’m a 47 year old transgender woman. When I began transitioning, I was 19 or 20. I grew up in fairly strict home with parents who didn’t understand my desire to dress in women’s clothing. I distinctly remember prancing around the living room in my mother’s clothing and getting caught. Sheesh, was I scared. Terrified even, because in our house boys we’re boys and girls were girls.
After that I was forced to attend church more, and undergo therapy. Because to them it was a phase. But to me…it was reality. It was what I felt deep inside, and who I felt I was meant to be. Therefore, when I became of age I moved out of my parent’s place, engaged more with the lgbtqia+ scene, and started unapologetically living my life. I don’t think I could’ve been myself had it not been fore the support of my biological sister Stephanie C., and my chosen mother/mentor Michelle P. Their continued love and support for me has allowed me to blossom into the person that I am today. Sure, there are days when I still find myself struggling with the woman that I am now. Because we live in a world where people who aren’t happy with themselves find it fit to see that others aren’t happy as well. They don’t understand it. They think it’s a sin, or mental illness, and so forth. But it’s not. I’m not ill. In fact, I am happier now that I have ever been before. And you should be too. So stay focused, keep going, don’t worry about the things you can’t change, and surround yourself with people who wish to see you succeed with happiness. I hope that my story can and will help someone else achieve their dream. Thank you.
— Gina L. Mangruem-Kenworthy (Gina D’licious)
