this was an exceptional example of capturing the essence of a human story in photos, and was wonderfully laid out and captioned. Great job Tess – are you an Oregon native?
Good to know I was not alone. It’s a courageous act to transition later in life. I started the “real life” seven years ago and finally had surgery FtM at the age of 65 this year. And I too am so glad I did. Again, we need this kind of positive story told. Thanks.
it is so hard to ask the Senior LGBT folks to come out and chat of their lives. Their lives are so difference of us. We have friends and contact well with friends. They do not and they are very indeed the understandings from the families instead of the any others.The society does not do the job well of taking care of the Senior LGBT folks and even worse then the homeless people, all they need are the supports from families and societies. Stop the judges and your individuals’ criteria of “elderly”
Hi folks. Thank you for your kind remarks. Yes,I am Sherri. Going back to my old haunts (my old straight square dance club) was one of the hardest things that I had ever done in my life. Dancing in my skirts as my true self with my old dance friends was so important to me and I just could not let it go. I knew that in order to do that, my own attitude towards myself was what mattered the most to others. I needed to come into that dance hall with a smile and have a good positive attitude towards myself. Yes, I also had a few old dance friends there for moral support as well. I will admit, Yes, I was scared to death, but I was determined that I will do this, no matter what. The first few weeks were very hard, but once I was out on that dance floor and I started doing my skirt work, I got a smile on my face that no one could ignor. Oh my, I truly was on cloud 9. I went square dancing the first few weeks and then I dropped out. Just to damn scared. After about a month to settle down, I went back and this time I stayed and I danced every weekend after that. I got deaply involved in helping out with my club such as being a door greater, and I stood side by side with my women friends in the kitchen helping out as well. Yes, as time went on, I had aquired the support and encouragement of most of the dancers in my old club as well. Yes, there were a few that were not to sure as to what to think of me, but they could not ignore my positive attitude towards myself and they quickly got over it. You know the old story, “If you can not fight it, then it is best to join and be a part of it all.” You know?, always before and after transition, I have always been very friendly and I would go that extra mile in making new vistors feel welcome and wanted in the dance hall. It was the same with Tess, she came looking for a story and take photos of the square dancers. No, I did not know that she was looking for a special story. But I did take the time to make Tess feel welcome and I started telling her many past true storys about things that had happened to many of my wonderful dance friends. When Tess found out that I ‘was’ TS and that I had my corrective surgery and that I am now my true self, she wanted to know more and more. Tess, ask if she could come to my home and interviwe me, and I gave Tess a warm hug and told Tess that Molly and I would love for her to come visit us. When Tess told me that she wanted to do a story about my journey at first I wanted to be a little restrictive about some things. However, the more that I got to know Tess, the more that I could see that that lady was one very special lady and well she just worked herself deap into my heart. At that point (grin) I threw in the towel and I gave her full rain to do what ever she wanted to do. Seeing the results of Tess’s work, I now know that I had made the right choice in letting Tess do what ever her dear sweet heart told her to do. Yes, I did tell Tess that she is now my addoped grand daughter. I am so very pleased that she wrangled herself deep with-in my heart. Love you all, Sherri (Molly ‘n’ Me)
I just came across this story and am so happy to see it. I feel everyone struggles to a degree to be their true selves and to discover what makes them truly happy. Everyone can relate to that feeling at least some point in their lives. My brother went through the transition (female to male) in his twenties. What a gift to be able to do this so early (and it was actually covered by insurance!). I love that this story shows us its never to late to be who we are. The heart of the story for me is that Shari is still dancing!
I feel like I really got to know – and like – Sherri through these photos. It must’ve taken a lot of trust for her to allow you to take these.
this was an exceptional example of capturing the essence of a human story in photos, and was wonderfully laid out and captioned. Great job Tess – are you an Oregon native?
Good to know I was not alone. It’s a courageous act to transition later in life. I started the “real life” seven years ago and finally had surgery FtM at the age of 65 this year. And I too am so glad I did. Again, we need this kind of positive story told. Thanks.
it is so hard to ask the Senior LGBT folks to come out and chat of their lives. Their lives are so difference of us. We have friends and contact well with friends. They do not and they are very indeed the understandings from the families instead of the any others.The society does not do the job well of taking care of the Senior LGBT folks and even worse then the homeless people, all they need are the supports from families and societies. Stop the judges and your individuals’ criteria of “elderly”
Hi folks. Thank you for your kind remarks. Yes,I am Sherri. Going back to my old haunts (my old straight square dance club) was one of the hardest things that I had ever done in my life. Dancing in my skirts as my true self with my old dance friends was so important to me and I just could not let it go. I knew that in order to do that, my own attitude towards myself was what mattered the most to others. I needed to come into that dance hall with a smile and have a good positive attitude towards myself. Yes, I also had a few old dance friends there for moral support as well. I will admit, Yes, I was scared to death, but I was determined that I will do this, no matter what. The first few weeks were very hard, but once I was out on that dance floor and I started doing my skirt work, I got a smile on my face that no one could ignor. Oh my, I truly was on cloud 9. I went square dancing the first few weeks and then I dropped out. Just to damn scared. After about a month to settle down, I went back and this time I stayed and I danced every weekend after that. I got deaply involved in helping out with my club such as being a door greater, and I stood side by side with my women friends in the kitchen helping out as well. Yes, as time went on, I had aquired the support and encouragement of most of the dancers in my old club as well. Yes, there were a few that were not to sure as to what to think of me, but they could not ignore my positive attitude towards myself and they quickly got over it. You know the old story, “If you can not fight it, then it is best to join and be a part of it all.” You know?, always before and after transition, I have always been very friendly and I would go that extra mile in making new vistors feel welcome and wanted in the dance hall. It was the same with Tess, she came looking for a story and take photos of the square dancers. No, I did not know that she was looking for a special story. But I did take the time to make Tess feel welcome and I started telling her many past true storys about things that had happened to many of my wonderful dance friends. When Tess found out that I ‘was’ TS and that I had my corrective surgery and that I am now my true self, she wanted to know more and more. Tess, ask if she could come to my home and interviwe me, and I gave Tess a warm hug and told Tess that Molly and I would love for her to come visit us. When Tess told me that she wanted to do a story about my journey at first I wanted to be a little restrictive about some things. However, the more that I got to know Tess, the more that I could see that that lady was one very special lady and well she just worked herself deap into my heart. At that point (grin) I threw in the towel and I gave her full rain to do what ever she wanted to do. Seeing the results of Tess’s work, I now know that I had made the right choice in letting Tess do what ever her dear sweet heart told her to do. Yes, I did tell Tess that she is now my addoped grand daughter. I am so very pleased that she wrangled herself deep with-in my heart.
Love you all, Sherri (Molly ‘n’ Me)
Wow, what a beautiful story. Thank you Tess and Sherri for sharing this inspiring work with the rest of us. Incredible story and amazing journalism.
I just came across this story and am so happy to see it. I feel everyone struggles to a degree to be their true selves and to discover what makes them truly happy. Everyone can relate to that feeling at least some point in their lives.
My brother went through the transition (female to male) in his twenties. What a gift to be able to do this so early (and it was actually covered by insurance!). I love that this story shows us its never to late to be who we are. The heart of the story for me is that Shari is still dancing!