Janiuk said her older sister was always supportive, but her younger sister was more of a challenge. That’s because Janiuk came out when her sister was in high school. Word spread and the younger sister took a lot of flak in school.

Janiuk’s openness about her transformation is the exception rather than the rule in the transgender community. Many transgenders try to hide the fact that they were born a different gender in order to avoid any social stigma. But more and more people with gender identity issues are becoming more open about it.

The Rotary members had a number of questions for Janiuk, many having to do with her relationship with her family and others. One of the more common questions also came up: Why, if you are attracted to women, would you transform from a man to a woman?

Janiuk said transgenders can be of any sexual orientation.

“I have never been attracted to men, and I am a woman. That’s the best answer I can give,” she said.

Still, being a lesbian does present its problems. Although Janiuk is adamant that she is much happier now as a woman, that doesn’t mean life has been easy for her. On her Web site blogs she discusses her struggles in great detail, with loneliness being one of her experiences.