Catherine Severine

letter to the editor

EDITOR: We hear a lot these days about the various “phobias” of flyover country, which happens to include our wonderful little slice of America right here. One of those phobias is supposed to relate transgender people, and these parts are said to be dangerous and unfriendly to anyone who is different. I want to dispel that reputation, based upon my own experience. I’m a “mature” person who, after living in the shadows for all these years, has come out and am living, as much as I can, as a woman full time. That means going to the store, the diner, the cable company … even the DNR!

I have to tell you that I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and acceptance shown by everyone I have come across in the Wisconsin Rapids area – not one unpleasant encounter, not one of the redneck bigots we are told populate this area. Nothing but the treatment we are taught as children – treat one another as you would like to be treated.

If I have a regret it is that I waited so long to be myself, and that I lived in fear for so many years. I want to thank everyone who has shown me that the stereotypes are not true, that this is a wonderful place for all of us to live.

Catherine Severine,

Nekoosa