At a loss for words…

My best friend came out of the closet, sort of, recently. He revealed that he has Klinefelter’s Syndrome. I’m not sure what to say.

In case, you’re wondering, Klinefelter’s Syndrome, according to Wikipedia, is a “condition caused by a chromosome aneuploidy. Affected males have an extra X sex chromosome.”

Now, naturally, this doesn’t bother me at all. Who am I to discriminate against someone because of how they were born? He’s a wonderful human being. Probably one of the best people I’ve ever known. Smarter than 99% of the population. More caring and sympathetic than every other friend. To quote Louis from Casablanca: “If I were a beautiful woman, I would be in love with him.”

I’m not even sure I’m not.

Anyway, it bothers him. A great deal. He’s known all his adult life he had that extra X, and he’s not talked about it at all. Ever.

But, something happened recently, or maybe it was building up over years, and he made a few revelations in an e-mail. Part of the problem is we’re several states away from one another. He doesn’t return phone calls, doesn’t respond to e-mail, and says he wants to be left alone to wallow for a while.

We were roommates in college. That’s when I came out to him. He was absolutely fine with me being transgendered, but never let on to his condition. A few years after college, we were roommates again. He knew I was still TG, and we talked about it a few times, but he never talked about himself.

If we still lived together, or even closer, we’d be talking. Or, at least, he wouldn’t be in this funk. I’m sure of it.

After his “confession” e-mail, I sent him a brief note saying essentially “I’ll give you your space, and when you’re ready to talk, you know where to find me.”

But when he does… what do I say? Is there anything I can say?

After all, I’m coming from a transgendered perspective, which I seem to think gives me some idea of what he’s going through. My mind doesn’t match my body. I tend to believe his body doesn’t match his mind. Is that far off?

Or is it completely different? Is he scared to bring things up with me because he knows I’m TG, and knows that I’m skewed?

Anyone? Anyone?

Category: All TGForum Posts, Transgender Body & Soul