Hiding who you are, for a half century, is terribly unhealthy, physically, mentally and emotionally. In 1967, at 12 years of age, I didn’t know of the term “Transgender.” I’m not sure it had even been defined that way yet. All I knew then was that I dare not say a word – to anyone. And so, I didn’t tell a soul, hiding my feelings and identity from my parents, family, pastors and most assuredly, employers. It wasn’t until my parents passed, Mom in 2003 and Dad in 2014, that I slowly began my transition. The importance of affordable access to mental healthcare is essential. It has a direct connection to the high suicide rate among Transgender, both kids and adults. Coming out was the healthiest thing I ever did for myself.
Charlize grew up in Muncie, Indiana and has called Muncie home for fifty years. After completing a forty-year career in Retail and IT Management, the last twenty in Chicago where she held several executive positions, Charlize returned home to Muncie and has become a voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. Now retired, she advocates, via the Human Library, a global non-profit whose purpose is to breakdown prejudicial walls to gain better understanding of those who live life in the margins. Additionally, she volunteers with the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County and the Heart of Indiana United Way, working to expand diversity and understanding within our community. She resides in Muncie with her wife Sally and daughter Kaitlyn and has two other grown children, Lesley and Alex.
