I am a gay man, not a straight woman, no matter what parts my body has, no matter how hard it is for my family to understand. I'm luckier than many in my position. My family may not understand, but they are only confused, not hateful.

And I have Zach, who knows who and what I am, who sees the real me.

Note: This story is included in the author’s anthology, Whetting the Appetite.