Let me state this up front – I have decided to use the term transgender in my writing and work, though I really prefer “gender variant”.  Maybe better yet would be “gender free”, or some other great term that says “I reject the notion that there exists two boxes, and that I must fit into one of them.”  Transgender seems to be the term used by mainstream media (stories of Chaz Bono and Girl Scout troops all carry this label) – and it’s a term that I’m okay with.  An “umbrella” term, if you will, that hopefully lends itself more to inclusion than exclusion. 

A few years ago, I attended an LGBT training for social service providers.  My very wonderful and supportive wife was already planning to attend, as she works in the social service field.  Since it was free and open to the public, I decided to go with her and make it a date.

Living in socially conservative Central Illinois, I was very excited about this training.  What we need most, out here in the cornfield, is exposure.  I’ve encountered many...