(Call me Dyss)
I am what is called an “out trans woman”. That is, I’m a woman, who is a transsexual, and I’m involved in social activities and efforts as well as some political stuff.
I write occasional columns at Bilerico under my actual name, and I can be found at various sites around the internet discussing things on behalf of LGBT people. I give classes on diversity — focusing on ethnicity and LGBT issues — and am available for panels and other engagements both small and large.
I have a background in sociology, psychology, and religion (Ph. D., M.S. M.A., respectively). I have served in the United States Army. I am, as of this writing, legally married. I have four step children and one child through that marriage, which has existed through 14 years, 10 of which weren’t bad. I do not have much contact with my spouse or family. I have worked extensively in restaurants and retail, with over a decade of experience in both, as well as being self employed through various companies I’ve started as an entrepreneur.
My birth certificate is available here via link. Think about it for a bit and you’ll find it. One will note it has my name (blacked out), and my birth, and I was born female according to the great State of Arizona, which means I am, presently, in a marriage to someone of the same sex which is legal at both the federal and state levels despite a law and an amendment saying such are void.
You’ll find that I rarely take stuff too personally — even when I get angry or upset — and that I’m quite positive I’m right in pretty much everything just about all the time.
I do ask one favor. Don’t read your own thoughts into what I write.
Its harder than it sounds…
If you know me, you’ll find that you will disagree with something I say pretty frequently — unless you take the time to ask. The trick is asking the right questions in the right way.
I stand a bit more than 5’ 8” tall in stocking feet, weigh roughly 150 pounds, have brown hair and brown eyes and I change my hair color and style very frequently. Because I can – although not entirely because I want to.
My ethnicity includes African American, European American, and Native American. My ex is Mexican American, making my children also Mexican American and my son that plus the above as well. My family lines trace back to the early 1600’s on one side, and even earlier than that on another. My last name comes from my paternal grandmother, following the matrilineal tradition, and is fairly direct from Morocco during the period around World War I.
I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I have lived in Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, El Mirage, Surprise, Sedona, Prescott, Benson, and Tucson.
Politics: Like sex and religion, dangerous to ask, but I am a registered independent as I write this, having finally left the Republican party in 2008 after watching it change, I’m a somewhat libertarian moderate, politically speaking. I believe in Fiscal conservatism, constrained markets, moderated capitalism, civil rights, The Constitution, Liberty, Justice, and giving as good as ya get.
Among my favorite places within the state of Arizona are Sedona, Salt River, Lake Powell, White Mountains (all of the rim country) the Verde River, Hassaympa, and Patagonia down south.
I belong to myself. There is no entity on this planet that I will submit to.
Books I suggest reading: The Timeline of History, Grun;
Some of my favorite things include shopping, reading, listening to music, watching movies, sitting at a computer for endless hours, working, having a good conversation, gardening, and cooking.
I really dislike math. ‘Cause it hurts us, precious, it hurts us…
My current favorite TV shows include Burn Notice, Eureka, Bones, and Law and Order SUV.
For movies I will eventually insert the code for my Netflix account here. My all time favorite movie is the Donner “Superman” starring Christopher Reeve.
Some quotes of mine:
Never give a sucker an even break. Compound fractures are much more fun.
Privilege is not about who has it worse; it is about who has an expectation and who doesn’t.
I am less than I’d like, more than others expect, predictable but not typical, and I love what I do.
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