Chapter 3: The Tin Person of Gender Neutrality

Chapter three of a tale set in Oz

Writer’s note: if, for some bizarre reason, you would like to read the first two chapters of this oddity please see:

The morning turned to early afternoon.

There was a grove of trees off to the right of the Path of Gender Enlightenment. I heard my stomach growl as I hopped the fence. In a small opening of the trees stood a tin … man, although at this point, I was not going to draw conclusions. I was learning. Thank you Molly the Wise and the Path of Gender Enlightenment.

The tin person was rusted, frozen in place. As I looked closely, I saw an oiling can in his/her hand. I was able to pry it loose. There was still oil in it. I started to liberally oil his/her joints and finally his/her mouth. I heard slow, deep, creaky sounds as each joint and part started to move.

Finally, the words “Thank you” squeakily escaped from their lips. I continued to pump more oil around. Like the sound of a locomotive finally moving forward and simultaneously letting loose a stream of what sounded like a barely-suppressed series of curses. The tin person was finally able to move every joint.

“Wow that was really painful! I thought I would turn into a pile of rust out here!” exploded from their mouth. “Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou.”, followed next.

Andi had finally made his/her way the long way around the fence. Andi couldn’t jump or climb plus no thumbs to grip. I was still having issues with appropriate pronouns. It was a very gender diverse place and no one seemed to take any issue with any mistakes I made.

“How long have you been out there?”, I asked. “I haven’t a clue”, they responded but I think the last time it rained. I have to never listen to a crow’s weather report.” A snort of indignation issued from the branches above. I had a feeling that Neverknow was close by.

I introduced Andi and asked, “What is your name?”. “Why my name is Harley which means “Wood, clearing, or meadow”. I always liked the name.”

“Hey wait a minute.”, injected Andi, “You know our names, what is yours?”

“I am not entirely sure.”, I said, “I have two, one that I was born with and one I like better. I think that is one of the reasons I am on this path. I need to find out who I truly am or at least who I want to be.”

“Interesting.”, said Harley, “I have always been curious whether I was made a tin man or a tin woman but I have spent a lot of time as I was rusting away realizing I am kind of neutral on the subject. I am simply me.”

That made sense to all of us as we took a moment to think about it. To break the silence, Andi said to me,” So, what name do you want to use?” I simply smiled and said, “Emma”.

They both smiled. They liked the name.

Harley picked up the oil can and declared, “So where are we going?” Andi looked at me and just shrugged and I shrugged back.

“We are on the Path of Gender Enlightenment to try and get Emma home.”, said Andi. “Seems like a great idea”, said Harley.

As the three of us started down the path. There was a loud caw overhead. Neverknow wasn’t going to miss out on this trip after all.

We were now four.

End of Chapter Three

Emma Holiday

Writers note: This series continues to be a combination of gender dysphoria, pandemic cabin fever and wine. Forgive the continued lapse sane thought as I continue down the road with my new friends.

If you have read any of my writings on Medium you will have noticed a definite theme: the incredible pain of gender dysphoria and all the difficult aspects of just being transgender.

My writing has three specific goals:

1. Writing is my therapy. I have a very limited outlet for my thoughts so I write to find a way to process the most profound experience in my life. I need to understand and I need to accept myself to move forward.

2. Being transgender, for me, is a very lonely existence and if I can share some of the things that I feel and think as I go through the process of transitioning with others who are transgender and, in some way, lessen their pain and sense of loneliness, then all of this public exposure of my personal thoughts is not a waste.

3. I write to help cisgender people understand that all trans people want is to be simply understood, accepted and treated as a normal person. We are.

Thank you for reading my work.

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