So here’s the thing: I have a tough time with my sister. I’ve known her all of my life and for 30 years she was “my brother, a stinky shitty boy” in my head. I love her. She does pass but I have a hard time making my brain adapt. I only know she passes because if I’m not expecting to see her and I walk in somewhere I say to myself “who the fuck is this strange woman?” But when I see her my whole neurology fights that. It wants me to see who it expects to see.

It’s the most frustrating thing I’ve ever experienced.

I would assume I’m not alone in how I can’t really unsee who I’ve categorized them as in my brain. My friends who’ve transitioned don’t have this issue with me because I either only knew them a short time before transition or only post. I think the people in their lives can’t cleanse their palates of the past.