Claire is Out!
“Claire Hall was born and grew up in a Portland, Oregon and has spent most of her adult years in Newport, Oregon beautiful small coastal community where she’s now an elected official in county government after spending many years as a newspaper and radio reporter. In her spare time, she loves reading, writing fiction (her first novel was published by a regional press a couple of years ago), watching classic Hollywood movies, and walking.”
Claire’s official portrait.
I’m out! Oh sisters and misters, I am out in the most public of ways . . . a front-page article in The Oregonian, the state’s largest newspaper. You can see it here.
My first day in public as Claire was as memorable and affirming as it could be. First, I went to a Transgender Tea Party, part of pride weekend in the small community of Yachats about twenty-five miles south of my home. I was formally introduced as Claire for the first time to a local audience and received a standing ovation.
That evening, I hosted the second annual trivia fundraiser for our local Democratic Central Committee. After I was introduced, I looked around the room, said, “So, is everyone ready to have fun and raise some money?” (Cheers, followed by a pregnant pause). “Well, any big changes in your lives recently?” That got the laugh I was hoping for.
The Oregonian’s article dropped in print and online today, and other media outlets have already picked it up. I’ve received an amazing wave of support, affirmation and love. I only wish that was the case for every trans person. Maybe if that was the case we wouldn’t see more than forty percent of all trans people attempting suicide, and ninety percent reporting they’ve thought about it.
My home state, Oregon, is one of thirty one states that has a law in place offering trans people basic protections. But still, twelve percent of us are unemployed and thirty percent are living in poverty. This is why I promise to never forget that I am becoming my authentic self in a world that does not accept and affirm most trans people. This is why I am resolved to do all that I can to educate and advocate for our community.
I’m only one voice, and my story is only one story, but I hope I can do some good.
A couple of weeks ago, I met, through a mutual friend, the mother of a twelve-year-old trans girl who has been living as female since she was eight. Although I wasn’t out yet, she said, “Thank you for being a role model for my daughter.” I found myself fighting back tears (Darn estrogen, letting me feel feelings that have been bottled up for so long.) That comment alone made any hatred I experience in this journey worthwhile.
Moved to make a comment? Login here and use the comment area below.
Category: Transgender Body & Soul
About the Author (Author Profile)
Claire Hall was born and grew up in a large city on the left coast and has spent most of her adult years in a beautiful small coastal community where she's now an elected official in local government after spending many years as a newspaper and radio reporter. In her space time she loves reading, writing fiction (her first novel was published by a regional press a couple of years ago), watching classic Hollywood movies, and walking.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
