When I opened my Sunday issue of The Arizona Republic, I stared into a story that gave me chills. Mike Penner, 52, a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times for more than 25 years reportedly committed suicide. It was in April, 2007, in an article headlined "Old Mike, New Christine," that he revealed to his readers that he was a transsexual.
"It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundred of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type these words," Penner wrote.
Though the announcement shocked many of his readers, the Times was supportive. Penner said that going public with his transition was the hardest thing he had ever done.
"How do you go about sharing your most important truth, one you spent a lifetime trying to keep deeply buried, to a world that has grown familiar and comfortable with your facade?" he asked.
This story was heartbreaking. An extremely talented person--who did not deserve the personal suffering he endured--reached such desperation that he took his own life.
I hope that his truth and bravery will help to honor his memory in a way that will help other people NOT to keep their truth buried simply because those in their world are familiar with a facade.
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