CRYSTAL -- and I agree with you 1000% on both Rethuglicans and Demoncrats! I really appreciate your willingness to take a breath, stop, listen and try to understand. As you said, that's what we ALL should be doing.

Full disclosure, that's what it took for my old ass to come to my current understanding and realization of transgender issues. That, and actually engaging with, and listening to gay and trans folk. My first duty station in Key West, FL a little over 40 years ago was the best thing to ever happen to me, because before then, I simply could not wrap my head around the whys and wherefores of people's decision to just be themselves. Because IMHO, that IS what it is -- not "a lifestyle choice" like I, too believed then, but a "decision to finally just BE their authentic selves!"

And don't get it twisted, it wasn't an immediate understanding for me. But it opened the door for that realization to come to fruition over the years since. The more I engaged with them and folk like Melissa, just trying to make decisions for them and theirs, I finally had to ask myself, "Who in the HAYELL are you to judge, or make decisions for that HUMAN BEING who's only doing what you yourself have been doing, in marrying and creating a family with a man WHO YOU LOVE, rather than one you'd been TOLD you were not supposed to?"

As you said in the beginning of your comment, "We need to calm down, gather the facts, and educate." But most importantly, RESPECT our differences and figure out a way we can live together in all our full humanity. Sorry I'm rambling here too, but I hope you get where I'm coming from!