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Monday, July 20, 2009

Savage Love Letter of the Day

Posted by on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 at 2:35 PM

Where to begin...

I am part of a trans couple. One male-to-female and one female-to-male. When we first met, 10 years ago, we had not transitioned. I, the male-to-female, transitioned in 2007 and he, the female-to-male, transitioned a year later. As friends we get along great. We are the best of friends. It's our sex life that is confusing. I consider myself a straight female and he says he is a bi switch. We opened our relationship up about a year ago. I like penis and can't get any at home. Gender reassignment surgery is much, much more advanced for a male-to-female than it is for a female-to-male. He has all of the appearance of being a guy, but has not had his "bottom" surgery. I am fully female. We agreed that we could each have sex with "tricks" on the side. I, of course, went after guys. He did the same. He always went after guys. I don't know if that is what he's used to and is still going for what he knows. But basically he went from being a straight female to being a gay male. For the most part, things were ok. We had our "tricks" and life went on. Then he started a friendship/relationship with another trans man and his husband. We never talked about this. I understand his wanting to be with another trans man. Bird of a feather and all.

We both have a similar problem All of his family moved out of state. All of my family is dead. We have become use to relying on our friendship, for various needs. How can I kick him out of my bed, and then except the fact that I'm going to date bio boys? And not lose his friendship? Thankz.

Lady Of The House

P.S. We were a feature cover story in a big newspaper, we have been interviewed on cable news, and he's currently featured in a story in the newspaper in the city where we live. Sorta crazy.

Sorta.

Look, LOTH, it's clear that you two have been growing apart for a while. You're a straight woman now who craves dick, he's a gay man now who wants a relationship with a man. What's more, LOTH, I get the distinct impression that your compelling personal stories—boy meets girl, boy becomes girl, girl becomes boy, ex-boy and ex-girl stay together—and the attention it brought you two may have artificially extended the life of this relationship. I'm not saying you guys were attention whores or you were out there milking it; skimming the articles it seems clear that you two were leveraging media interest in your personal stories for the greater good of the trans community. Good for you. But having presented yourselves to the public as a couple whose love was strong enough to withstand the trials of your M2Fing and his FTMing, well, it may have made you both reluctant to transition out of this relationship.

Salvaging a friendship when you break up with someone is tricky, LOTH, but it's not impossible and people do it all the time. But there's no secret formula that guarantees success. You simply tell him it's over all the while emphasizing your affection for him, your history together, and how much you value his friendship.

 

Comments (18) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
Rotten666 1
huh?
Posted by Rotten666 on July 20, 2009 at 2:42 PM
2
You wimped out on this one, Dan.
Open Relationships are the key to stable longterm happiness, for gosh sake!
Tell these freaks to get back in there and make it work!
Posted by Love is a Many Splendored Thing... on July 20, 2009 at 2:49 PM
3
the aristocrats!
Posted by m@tt on July 20, 2009 at 2:54 PM
smade 4
Obviously they need a male roommate who's into three-ways. Jack Tripper or somebody.
Posted by smade on July 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Max Solomon 5
going from a woman interested in men to a man interested in men, but without functioning junk, seems like a case of diminishing returns.

so much work. i'm exhausted reading about it.
Posted by Max Solomon on July 20, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Vince 6
Boy, if ever there were two people who deserved/ were meant for each other it's these two. Just leave things alone. The way you two live your lives it's likely you'll end up with each other as your s.o.
Posted by Vince on July 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Christin 7
The very-particular-situation letters that end with "How do we break up?" always make me a little nervous. This is not the sort of letter that could be from-just-anybody, especially since the media attention is mentioned. I hope LOTH's partner isn't finding out about the imminent breakup by reading this. :-/

@3 I can't decide whether to shoot you a dirty boo-transphobia look or a high-five.
Posted by Christin on July 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM
8
My advice for these two... have the conversation -

Is it time for you two to end the romantic aspect of your relationship. Ask yourselves if you are still invested in the romance. Is the friendship solid. This is just a place to start.

Approach this conversation having in mind how much love the two of you have shared, and what might be the most loving, true, respectful, honest direction to go at this time.

People have made the transition from Partner to friend, but the transition process depends upon what the two of you find out together as to what will work for each of you individually and as a couple.
Posted by shelldavis4 on July 20, 2009 at 3:09 PM
w7ngman 9
"Gender reassignment surgery is much, much more advanced for a male-to-female than it is for a female-to-male"

She said that backwards right? It's hard for female -> male, that's why she can't get dick at home?
Posted by w7ngman http://userscripts.org/users/89370 on July 20, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Hyzenthlayk9 10
@9: I think she stated it correctly.
Posted by Hyzenthlayk9 http://oystermind.blogspot.com/ on July 20, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Hyzenthlayk9 11
Sounds like LOTH and her partner have already done everything short of having the conversation that redefines their relationship.

They've already opened up the relationship in response to unmet needs. It seems like they have both accepted that some levels they are growing apart. Chances are that her partner may be thinking some of the same things - they need to sit down and discuss what they each want where they want to go and how best to progress and if they can maintain as much of the affection, friendship, and goodwill of their past relationship going forward.

Better that LOTH realizes that maintaining the status quo may result in bitterness and resentment that could permanently damage their friendship far more than an amicable parting of the ways could.
Posted by Hyzenthlayk9 http://oystermind.blogspot.com/ on July 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Womyn2me 12
Once you carve out the trans stuff (pun not intended but once I wrote it, it was too good to take out) its "straight woman involved with man, man is gay; what to do? we are best friends"

Breaking up will maintain the friendship...
Posted by Womyn2me http://http:\\www.shelleyandlaura.com on July 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Will in Seattle 13
Oh, just go and join a commune, already.
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on July 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Reverse Polarity 14
Really, all the trans stuff is a bit of a smoke screen. None of that really matters.

At its root, the problem is that the couple is growing apart. LOTH has to decide if it's time to break up, or time to put more effort into salvaging the relationship. If they break up, they have to decide if they want to remain friends or not. This happens to a lot of couples, regardless of their respective genders, past or present.

The whole trans issue, while a fascinating read, is almost completely irrelevant.
Posted by Reverse Polarity on July 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Cory 15
Kind of a confusing situation. Sensible response.
Posted by Cory on July 20, 2009 at 6:56 PM
16
@3: I laughed. Out loud, even.
Posted by pox on July 20, 2009 at 10:28 PM
17
@16 - I did, too. And I hated the documentary about that joke.
Posted by DJDeeJay on July 21, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Greg 18
Well I'm confused.
Posted by Greg on July 21, 2009 at 9:43 AM

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