Courageous student makes a difference
Student Spotlight: Anne Hodson

-- Margaret A. Pribel

You would not know from the joy and good humor Anne Hodson exhibits that five or six years ago she battled a life and death situation. Her unhappiness, confusion and discomfort with her gender could not be pushed down any longer. It was time to stop living a lie; time to stop living as a male.

Hodson approached her coming out process carefully. She worked with a therapist and prepared for every possible outcome. She then went to work telling family and friends her truth. Hodson explained how at the age of four she was with her mother in Dayton’s bargain basement and she looked up to see a saleslady, "I want to be just like her when I grow up," she recalls thinking. Somehow Hodson knew that she would have to keep this part of herself secret from everyone.

The response she got from family and friends went well. The most difficult was the spouse she was married to for 25 years. That was a time of high anxiety leading up to a four-hour discussion. Other than coming out to herself and admitting that she had been denying who she was all those years before, Hodson’s biggest fear was in being rejected by her spouse. Hodson had heard and read other people’s stories that didn’t go well and she was scared.

She had decided that if she was going to go through the surgery she was going to be honest with everyone. It was very important to Hodson that they stay friends. Her spouse took the news pretty well, she still went through a lot of pain, but she respected Hodson for telling her the truth. Hodson’s great capacity for empathy was unmistakable when she explained that her spouse went through something like the death of a spouse. She had lost all the dreams and plans that went along with having a spouse, yet the person was still alive.

"Hallmark doesn’t make a card for that," Hodson said wryly.

When questioned why it took so long for her to have the surgery Hodson answered, "I wasn’t ready — resources are now becoming better, more visible. There’s so much shame, fear and embarrassment." In the end the surgery was crucial, "It was what I needed to do to be who I am." The two days before the surgery, "An incredible calm came over me, a sense of relief and an incredible contentment."

Hodson’s surgery was covered by medical insurance, but it was tricky: The insurance company paid for the sex-reassignment surgery, but the surgeons didn’t take insurance payments. Hodson had to come up with over $17,000 up front and then wait about 10 months to receive a reimbursement check from the insurance company—a huge stumbling block for many people who don’t have the financial means.

The surgeon she found practices in Scottsdale, Ariz. "I wanted the best doctor I could find. This is not something you want to shop around for the lowest bidder."

Transgender has recently been brought into the public eye with the release of the film 'Transamerica.' "I don’t feel the character was me, but I know people just like Bree. I thought it [the film] was very well done," Hodson noted.

The Program Human Sexuality in Minnesota at the University of Minnesota is one of the best gender clinics in the world. But Hodson held off calling it for help. She explained, "I was afraid they’d call the FBI. There are so many unknowns…there are huge amounts of shame and embarrassment and lack of pride. This is important to who we are as a person in any aspect. We all have to come to terms with who we are."

Hodson graduates in December 2006 with a First College degree in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) studies and then continuing on to graduate school. Hodson used to own a successful photography business but didn’t feel fulfilled by the work. She wanted to feel like she was making a difference and helping people. She’s already on the path by working with GLBT Student Services at Metropolitan State University and has found the footsteps to follow in, mentor Anne Phibbs, a former faculty member and the GLBT Student Services director at Metropolitan State University. Hodson knows those are big shoes to fill, but she also has a resolve unlike most people. "If I could get through this [sexual-reassignment surgery] and come out and get to where I’m at, I really believe that I can do anything."

Resources:

Metropolitan State University’s GLBT Web site: http://www.metrostate.edu/studentaff/glbt.html.

"Transgender Americans: A Handbook for Understanding" booklist published by The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and The National Center for Transgender Equality can be obtained through the GLBT Student Services office (651) 793-1544.

University of Minnesota Program in Human Sexuality Web site: http://www.med.umn.edu/fm/phs/home.html.

Debra Davis Gender Education Center Web site: http://www.Debradavis.org.

Anne Lawrence Physician/Therapist resource pages: http://www.AnneLawrence.com/twr